Teen Driving Monitor

Published date: Last modified on: Ryan Horban
Teen Driving Monitor

The Best Teenage Driving Monitoring Devices 2024

Worried about your teen driver galavanting around town?

We get it. We are parents too.

Here at GPS Tracker Shop, we get hundreds of customers coming to us to buy GPS trackers for their teen drivers.

Which tracker is the best? Which GPS is the most accurate? How can I use this dang thing to make sure my teen is safe while driving?

That’s why we put together this GPS location device trackers for teenage drivers review. This guide is based on a full week of testing the most popular devices on the market (plus our 10 years of experience in the industry).  

Let’s get to it. 

Best Teenage Driving Monitoring Devices

1. SpaceHawk GPS – Top Overall Teen Driving Monitor

GPS car tracker

After a full week of testing, the SpaceHawk GPS is the winner of our best overall teen driving monitor award.

With this one device, you can:

  • Track your teen’s location within 6 feet (most other devices are accurate within 100 feet at best)
  • See everywhere they’ve been with detailed historical maps
  • Set up safe zones like work, school, grandma’s house, or a best friend’s place. If they leave, you get a notification, so you can keep close tabs on them and catch them in any lies
  • An accelerometer - if they ever go over the speed limit, you’ll know instantly

SpaceHawk has a lot of similar features to other teen driver monitoring devices, it just does them better. During our testing, it was the most accurate and simplest to use. Just attach the device, sync it to your phone, and monitor everything through the app. It’s super easy.

We put it on a car, drove it all the way across town, and then put the pedal to the metal in an empty parking lot. Our phone immediately got a notification saying we were going too fast (and it showed exactly where we were). Let’s see your teen try to lie when you’ve got that data in your hand!

And it had a very long battery life (it can last weeks on low power mode).

For less than $100, it’s a steal.

DON’T LET YOUR TEEN DRIVER BECOME A STATISTIC!

SpaceHawk GPS GIF

2. Connect GPS OBD ii – Best OBD2 GPS For Teen Driving

GPS tracker With white background

The Connect GPS OBD2 GPS tracker is a super simple and affordable GPS tracker that plugs right into the OBD port under the steering wheel.

This little device sends updates every 3 seconds, so it’s always on top of where your teen is at all times.

The unique selling point of this device is that it has no monthly fees. You just buy it once, and it’s yours to use forever. The only downside of that is that you don’t get many features at all. You just get location tracking data with none of the extra bells and whistles like alerts or geo-fencing (safe zones).

That, and it can easily be unplugged, because your teen can see it right under the steering wheel.

If you’re on a budget, this one is totally fine. If you’ve got some spare cash, it’s best to choose something else.

3. Everlast GPS – Teen GPS With Longest Battery Life

live GPS tracker

The Everlast GPS tracker is for you if you want a tracking device you can just slap on your teen’s car and forget about it for 5 months or so.

It lasts up to 140 days if you use it 1 hour per day. In other words, you won’t have to worry about it dying, which would mean you’d lose connection, need to recharge, and maybe even lose some data if you haven’t saved it.

During testing, the Everlast was accurate to within 50 feet or so, and the geo-fencing notifications worked immediately.

The only thing we don’t really like about this model is that it’s a bit too expensive for our taste. 

The Basic plan starts at $29.99 PER MONTH, which is insane. That’s almost three times more expensive than the SpaceHawk for fewer features. 

4. MOTOSafety By Linxup: Amazon’s Top-Selling GPS For Teen Drivers

MOTOSafety By Linxup

  • Instant Setup: Installs in seconds, user-friendly apps.

  • Affordable: $25/month, no extra fees.

  • Battery-Free: Continuous, reliable GPS tracking.

4/5

Linxup MOTOSafety GPS is a unique GPS tracker designed specifically to improve teen driving safety.

It has a ton of unique features that you don’t see in other trackers like:

  • A Driver Report Card: You get a daily report of your teen’s driving including speeding alerts, brake alerts, and acceleration alerts. It might even help you get a discount on your insurance plan.
  • A Coaching Program: This driver coaching program was made with the help of law enforcement and driving instructors to help kids learn to drive more safely.
  • Maintenance Alerts: These are great for college students away from home. They’ll receive notifications when it’s time to check the oil or something might be wrong with the tires.

  • It’s the only GPS device we tested that actually puts effort into teaching your teen how to drive more safely.

    That, and it plugs directly into the OBD2 port and doesn’t require a battery charge. That’s super convenient (though it makes it easy to remove).

    You do pay for what you get though. It’s about $100 up front and $25 per month to keep it running. If you’ve got the cash, it’s worth it. 

    5. REDTIGER 4K Dual Dash Cam – Best For Video Teen Driving

    REDTIGER 4K Dual Dash Cam

    • Crystal Clear Video:Records front & rear in 4K/1080P,capturing license plates clearly.

    • Superior Night Vision:Bright,detailed footage thanks to F1.5 aperture & HDR/WDR technology.

    • WiFi & App Control:View,replay,and share videos easily through your smartphone app.

    4.5/5

    The REDTIGER 4K Dual Dash Cam pack is a next-level teen GPS tracker and video combo that’s for spying on everything your teen does at all times. 

    Just set up the tracker and dash cams, and you’ll see crystal clear video footage of what they’re doing while driving, get video footage of accidents, and get parking protection (to see who hit your car when it was parked, if that ever happens).

    You get all of that plus standard GPS tracking features like geo-fencing and real-time updates.

    Just keep in mind that this might strain your relationship with your teen a bit! It’s definitely not cheap, and there’s a bit of a learning curve, but if you need full protection and video evidence, this has your name written all over it.

    Teen GPS Tracker Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Teen GPS Tracker

    If you aren’t sure which GPS tracking device is best for you, we put together this buying guide on GPS trackers for young drivers. We find that parents often focus on the WRONG features or they don’t know how to evaluate their devices the proper way.

    The result? They get a tracker that barely works (and they’re out $100 or more).

    Follow this advice to get the best possible tracker for your situation:

    Real-time location tracking

    Look for a tracker that updates your kid’s location every 10-30 seconds. Anything slower might not give you the info you need quickly enough, especially if they’re on the move. 

    Here’s the thing: Most trackers claim they send “real-time updates”, but these updates are only every 5 to 10 minutes at most. That’s pretty much useless to you. Your teen could be across town in 10 minutes. You need to know exactly where they are at all times to keep them safe. At the very least, get a tracker that updates every 30 seconds.

    Geofencing with alerts

    You’ll want a tracker that lets you set safe zones, like home or school, and sends alerts when your teen enters or leaves. Make sure it allows multiple geofences and gives you instant notifications—without blowing up your phone with unnecessary alerts.

    SOS button for emergencies

    An SOS button should be simple to press and send an emergency alert right to your phone with the teen’s location. Look for trackers that let you add multiple contacts, so more than one person gets the alert. Just make sure the button isn’t too easy to hit by accident.

    NOTE: Some trackers claim they have an SOS button, but they only send emergency info to one person. That’s not good enough when someone’s life is on the line.

    Driving behavior monitoring

    Find a tracker that monitors things like speed and hard braking, as well as acceleration. You’ll want one that gives you clear reports on their driving habits and sends alerts when they’re speeding. 

    Long battery life

    A good tracker should last at least 5-7 days on a single charge. 

    We recommend getting something that has power saving mode, so you can power it down when it’s not in use. 

    It’s a plus if the battery is rechargeable and doesn’t need to be charged too often. If you’re feeling extra lazy, you can get one that’s hardwired into your vehicle. You won’t ever have to charge those. Just be warned, they require some set up and could drain your battery.

    Read Google Reviews on this product here: https://g.co/kgs/297jfS

    Teen Driving Monitor

    GPS Tracking For Teenagers – Why Parents Are Investing In Teen Driving Monitor Devices

    The short answer is that these tools help you keep your teen safe, and help keep insurance costs (and repair costs!) way down.

    As a parent, having a teen driver is just 24/7 stress. Where are they? Who are they with? How fast are they going? Are they even alive? I have to call them. Now!

    These apps solve all of those problems. You not only get to see their location, you can see where they’ve been, how fast they’re going, and if they’re braking too hard or accelerating too much.

    If anything ever goes wrong, you’ll know in a split second. In other words, you can finally sleep at night.

    Plus, many insurance companies offer discounts for using these trackers. So, you get safety and savings at the same time!

    These apps work on both iOS and Android. Some even offer roadside assistance in case of emergencies. Check out apps like TrueMotion Family to see what features they offer.

    Also, think about enrolling your teen in a driving school. Safe driving starts with good lessons!

    Safe Teen Driving: Strategies and Statistics

    Is your teen guilty of texting or talking on the phone while driving? You’re not alone. A recent study reveals alarming trends among young drivers.

    Key Findings:

    • 100% of surveyed teens admitted to texting while driving, a dangerous mix of inexperience and distraction.
    • Over half confessed to frequent phone conversations while driving, which doubles their risk of an accident.
    • More than 50% of teen drivers have surpassed the speed limit by 10 mph on multiple occasions.
    • Roughly 25% self-identified as aggressive drivers, admitting to speeding over 20 mph beyond the limit.
    • Over 20% of respondents found high-speed driving thrilling.
    • Close to 50% agreed that they drive more cautiously without teen passengers.
    • More than 66% voiced discomfort as passengers in a teen-driven vehicle, while over half would stay silent during dangerous driving situations.

    For more detailed statistics, please read this article: https://gpstrackershop.com/21-positive-teen-driving-facts/

    Safety Measures for Parents:

    • Implement after-hours driving restrictions: Studies suggest that night driving significantly raises the risk of accidents.
    • Declare the car a cell phone-free zone: A combination of inexperience and distraction is a recipe for disaster. Advocacy groups identify phone usage while driving as a significant risk.
    • Advocate for adequate sleep: Well-rested drivers exhibit quicker reaction times, reducing the likelihood of accidents
    • Employ a GPS teen tracker device: This app can monitor your new teen driver’s behavior, so they stick to the rules more often.

    Driver safety lessons, defensive driving strategies, and driver’s ed practice tests can also contribute to improved safety. Prepare your teen for the road and help them navigate their newfound independence responsibly.

    Teen Driving Monitor – Frequently Asked Questions

    Yes, you can use the GPS technology in your teen’s cell phone for tracking. However, it’s not the most reliable method. It’s easy to turn the GPS off and they aren’t very reliable or accurate. We recommend a specialized GPS tracker for this task instead.

    The most dangerous months for teenage drivers are the summer months. Data from the American Automobile Association (AAA) confirms this, revealing that the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is particularly perilous for teen drivers. Factors contributing to this heightened risk include increased driving due to school breaks, distractions such as texting, and a relaxed, carefree attitude often associated with summer. As a parent, understanding these risks will help mitigate them and ensure your teen’s safety on the road.

    Yes, you can! Thanks to innovative driving monitoring apps like TrueMotion Family, available on iOS and Android, you can track your teen’s driving habits in real-time. This handy mobile app not only allows you to monitor your new teen driver but also provides essential insights into rapid acceleration and hard braking instances. It’s like sitting in the passenger seat, even when you’re miles away!

    Absolutely! Apps like Mama Bear let you limit text message alerts and other mobile distractions while your teen is on the move. Remember, drivers ed isn’t just about practice tests and defensive driving, it also includes teaching safe habits like avoiding phone usage while driving.

    The OBDII port plays a significant role in tracking your teen’s driving. It’s where you install tracking devices to monitor their driving habits. Tools like the Snap teen driving monitor connect to the OBDII port and sync with driving monitoring apps via 4G LTE to provide you with real-time location and driving analytics. These apps, available on both Android and iOS, provide an in-depth view of your teen’s driving habits, ensuring their adherence to the driving tips learned in drivers training.

    Yes! Most driving apps for monitoring your teen’s driving habits are available on the App Store and Google Play Store. You can find, install, and start using these tracking tools within minutes. Just download them, sign up for your package, sync the device to your phone, and you’re done.

    Yes, it can. Several driving monitoring apps, like the TrueMotion Family app, include features such as roadside assistance. This function is essential in the unlikely event of a breakdown or an emergency, offering your teen added safety and you an extra layer of reassurance. After all, isn’t that what monitoring your teen’s driving is all about – ensuring their safety and bolstering their independence on the road?

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