GPS trackers are a modern marvel, revolutionising everything from fleet management to everyday navigation. But like any technology, they can be misused. And if you suspect someone’s using a GPS tracker to monitor your movements without your permission, learn what the law says about consent and surveillance.
Australian laws are being reformed to prohibit tracking another person’s movements without their consent. But in the meantime, learning how to find a GPS tracker in your car—and remove it—is the most effective way to regain your privacy and safety.
Overwatch Tracking is passionate about the power of GPS tracking, and we want to ensure people are using it for the right reasons. In this article, we list the common hiding places where someone might put a GPS device in your car and what to do if you find one. Read on to learn how to protect yourself.
What Does a GPS Tracker Look Like?
Before you can start your search for a tracker in your car, you need to know what you’re looking for, and today’s GPS trackers come in all shapes and sizes, depending on their type. These are a few common GPS models that could be hiding in your car.
Portable GPS Tracker
These are battery-powered units that don’t require installation. They’re small, discreet, and often feature a durable plastic casing, making them perfect for everyday use in vehicles. Some portable GPS trackers are magnetised and waterproof, so you can easily attach one underneath a car. Because they don’t need any wires, somebody could use them for discreet tracking.
Hard-Wired GPS Tracker
These connect directly to your vehicle’s electrical system and sit behind the dashboard or in the engine bay. Although a hard-wired GPS tracker is more standard in commercial settings, they’re hard to find unless you know what you’re looking for.
Plug-and-Play (OBD2) GPS Tracker
Plugging straight into the car’s OBD2 port, a plug-and-play GPS tracker is easy to install. They’re popular in fleet vehicles and for personal tracking, and you can remove them just as easily as they’re installed.
Most trackers are fairly discreet, but once you find one, they’re easy to identify. They might have a black or grey casing, minimal branding, and could even have a visible blinking indicator light or card slot. But since most modern GPS trackers are relatively compact, knowing how to find a GPS tracker in your car can make all the difference when protecting your privacy.
Where Could a GPS Tracker Hide in Your Car?
Think someone is tracking your vehicle without your knowledge? They’ve probably gone to great lengths to hide it and placed it in a spot where it’s unlikely to move around while you’re driving. Most importantly, though, they put it somewhere it can still get a satellite signal. Here are some of the most common hiding spots to check first:
- Under the vehicle: This is a classic location, especially for magnetised trackers. Check behind your car’s bumpers, near the wheel wells, or under the chassis.
- Inside the glove box or centre console: These spots are easy to access and rarely inspected.
- Behind the dashboard: A common hiding spot for hard-wired trackers that usually require a more involved search.
- Inside or behind the rear bumper: It’s well hidden but close enough to the exterior to get a good signal.
- Underneath or inside seats: You can easily tuck a portable GPS tracker into seat cushions or underneath floor mats.
- In the boot: Especially where your spare tyres are stored.
- In light fittings or fuse boxes: Easy access to power and easy to hide.
How to Find a GPS Tracker in Your Car
Your average GPS tracker is pretty compact and designed to be discreet and convenient. So, if you’re wondering how to find a GPS tracker in your car, you’ll need to take a careful and methodical approach. Here’s how.
1. Do a Visual Check
First, do a visual sweep of the inside and outside of your car. Use a torch to help you see and a small handheld mirror to help you examine trickier spots, especially when looking for magnetic devices like the PLX5 Tracker, which is small and easy to conceal.
You’re looking for anything that seems out of place, like wires that don’t belong, plastic boxes, or anything that’s attached with magnets or zip ties.
2. Look at the OBD2 Port
In most modern cars, you can find an OBD2 port under the dashboard. These ports are for onboard diagnostic systems, so it’s an easy place to plug in a GPS tracker without needing any tools. If you find something here that looks out of place, take a closer look at it if you can do so safely. Otherwise, have a professional do it.
3. Closely Examine the Compartments
Check all the places that are great for hiding things, like glove boxes, cup holders, underneath the seats, and inside seat pockets. If they wanted to, someone could easily drop a portable GPS tracker in here. You can also take out the floor mats and car seat covers and feel around for anything that seems out of place.
4. Check the Car for Wiring
If someone has installed a hard-wired GPS tracker in your car, they’d have to connect it to the power supply, meaning visible wires. Usually, these will connect to the ignition or battery, but they could also hide behind the interior panels or behind the dashboard. However, we don’t recommend removing these unless you know how.
5. Use a GPS Bug Detector
Still searching? You might have better luck with a handheld RF (radio frequency) detector or bug detector, which can help you detect real-time devices like those described in our GPS surveillance guide.
These nifty devices can scan for signals transmitted from your vehicle, and they could help you find any active GPS devices sending data from inside your car.
How to Remove a GPS Tracker from Your Car
You’ve found a GPS tracker in your car, now what? No need to stress. Removing these devices from your car is pretty simple, requiring just a few steps, depending on the type. Here’s how.
Figure Out What Type of Tracker It Is
First, you need to know what type of tracker it is so you can remove it properly. Generally, GPS trackers are available in three types: portable, plug-in, or hard-wired. Portable and plug-in units are usually easy to remove since you can just detach or unplug them. But a hard-wired GPS tracker can be trickier, especially if it’s already installed in your car.
Don’t Damage Your Vehicle
Think you’ve found a hard-wired GPS tracker in your car? Don’t attempt to remove it yourself. Cutting electrical wires is a major safety hazard, and cutting them without knowing their function can damage your vehicle. Find a mechanic or auto-electrician who specialises in GPS removals and let the experts take care of it.
Keep the Device Intact
If someone’s installed a GPS tracker in your car without your consent, you’ll want to keep the evidence. Even if you have the urge to destroy it or tamper with it, try to resist. Instead, take some photos and report the incident to the police – we also have a guide explaining what to do if your vehicle gets stolen.
Check for Other Trackers
Just because you’ve located one GPS tracker doesn’t mean that’s all there is. Keep searching your car just in case they’ve hidden others. Or, have it professionally inspected to get peace of mind.
Keeping You and Your Car Safe
GPS trackers can be incredibly useful when used with consent. they protect our vehicles, monitor fleets, and keep our loved ones safe — when used properly, tools like the PLX5 Tracker can do just that.
If you’re still unsure how to find a GPS tracker in your car, reach out to a trusted auto-electrician or surveillance specialist who can inspect your vehicle thoroughly.
Got questions? Check out our GPS Tracking FAQs.
