One of the most commonly asked questions we encounter at PDL is “Is tracking someone’s car legal?”.
It’s a deeply understandable question, as vehicle tracking can provide so much helpful information in a range of crucial professional or personal circumstances, but it is of course vital to ensure any investigations are conducted within the law at all times.
We’ve put together this post to discuss:
What Car Trackers are
How Car Trackers Work
When And Why People Wish To Track Vehicles
Is It Legal To Put A Tracker On Someone’s Car
How To Ensure You’re Acting Legally
Read more on this below.
Car Trackers: What Are They, And How Do They Work?
A tracker in this context means a small GPS tracking device designed to be discreetly and covertly attached to a car, other vehicle, or asset.
The tracker then enables the remote tracing of the car’s location and movements, providing what can be invaluable insight into its location, and the ability to potentially interpret its owner/operator’s behaviour, and intentions.
When And Why Do People Wish To Track Vehicles?
The reasons are many and varied, but all share something in common. At the heart of them is the desire firstly to understand the vehicle’s location and movements, and secondly to be able to demonstrably prove this in a range of legal, personal, or professional circumstances.
Examples might include an employer tracking company vehicles, an organisation or individual protecting an asset against theft, or an individual concerned about another’s whereabouts. Very different reasons – but all sharing that same desire to gain insight and understanding, to inform future decision making.
Is It Legal To Put A Tracker On Someone’s Car?
The short answer is it depends. On intent, on method, on if and how data is gathered – and then used, and on many other factors. It’s important to ensure that the process used – and equally importantly, the justification for the vehicle tracking itself – is thoroughly explored, understood, and soundly reasoned out. For one thing to ensure your behaviour is legal, and for another to ensure that consequently any findings are admissible in court if and when required.
How Do I Ensure I’m Acting Legally?
Because this issue is complicated, and variable, the only answer we can provide is to contact us to discuss your needs. Our 25 years experience in – among other things – tracing, surveillance, and legal matters gives us as much knowledge around legality and ethics as it does the practical on-the-ground skills to enact operations in practice.
Any Questions On Vehicle Tracking?
Contact us via the form below, or directly on: +44(0) 20 3747 1865
