In the USA and many other countries, it is illegal to put a GPS tracker on someone’s car. It’s typically allowed if you own the vehicle, but you should always check with your local regulations before doing so.
This post will examine whether putting a GPS tracker on someone’s car is illegal. I’ll explain why this isn’t allowed for vehicles you don’t own and why you might want to do it on cars you own. I’ll also provide some other related information.
Let’s get rolling.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- It is illegal to put a GPS tracker on a car you don’t own in the USA and many other countries.
- You can put a GPS tracker on your own vehicle without any issues, but you should still check to see if there are any specific regulations in your area relating to doing so.
- A GPS tracker can help locate your vehicle if it is stolen or during other emergencies.
Why It is Illegal to Put a GPS Tracker on Someone’s Car
It is illegal to put a GPS tracker on someone’s car due to privacy rights and stalking. Think about it; you wouldn’t want to find out that someone has been tracking your movements without your knowledge, would you?
Since obtaining and using a GPS tracker is very easy and owning one isn’t illegal, laws need to be established regarding using these devices. That’s why the US and many other countries have adopted rules and regulations relating to this.
Stalking is a serious crime and can be very unsettling and terrifying for victims. Privacy is also very important to people in the digital age, and trackers are an issue with this in mind. It’s important to understand this if you want to use a GPS tracker.
There are some situations where it is allowed to put a GPS tracker on a vehicle you don’t own. Examples include when law enforcement is surveilling someone, and they have legal permission and for employer-owned vehicles that employees are driving.
GPS Tracking Laws by State
The exact laws relating to GPS tracking vary slightly from state to state, even though they all limit using a tracker on vehicles a person doesn’t own. As mentioned above, this is mainly due to stalking and privacy laws.
Some states have stiffer penalties than others if you are caught and convicted of using a GPS tracker on a vehicle, while others aren’t as severe. The exact rules and penalties depend on which state you live in.
It is illegal to put a GPS tracker on someone’s car in California, just the same as it’s illegal to put a GPS tracker on someone’s car in Georgia. California labels this crime in the “miscellaneous crimes” category, whereas Georgia doesn’t have the same law in place.
Since GPS trackers have only been around for a decade or so, some laws are still catching up to the issue. So, just because a certain state doesn’t have the laws spelled out in the same way doesn’t mean it’s legal to use one.
You can get into serious trouble if you get caught using a GPS tracker without someone’s permission. Plus, you can cause a lot of harm to that individual and really affect them in many negative ways.
FAQs
Here are a few quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions related to if it’s illegal to put a GPS tracker on someone’s car.
Can you put a tracking device on someone’s car without their knowledge?
It is illegal in most places to put a tracking device on someone’s car without their knowledge. This is a privacy concern, and you can face fines and other penalties if you put a GPS or other device on a vehicle you don’t own.
Is it illegal to put a tracking device on your girlfriend’s car?
It is illegal to put a tracking device on any vehicle you don’t own, and that includes your girlfriend’s car. If a person has given you consent, you can help them install a GPS tracking device but cannot do so without their knowledge.
How can you tell if someone has put a tracker on your car?
Finding a GPS tracking device can be difficult if it is hidden somewhere on or in your car. But you can search underneath and around the vehicle for anything that looks out of place or not part of your car itself.
Final Thoughts
You cannot legally put a GPS tracker on someone’s car if you don’t own that vehicle. You can get into serious legal trouble if you do put a tracker on a car because of stalking and privacy laws that are in place.
If you want to put a tracker on someone’s car for emergency purposes (such as a child or family member), you should make them aware that you are doing so and double-check any legal restrictions in the state or country where you live.
Have you ever used a GPS tracker on a car? Were you aware of the laws in place related to doing so? Let me know in the comments below?
