What is Van Tracking?
Van tracking is GPS-based vehicle monitoring. A hardware device installed in each van records the vehicle’s location, speed, and – depending on the hardware specification – engine data, driver behaviour, and route history. That data transmits over the mobile network to a fleet management platform, where a fleet manager can see every vehicle in real time or review historical trip data on demand.
Two van trackers at different price points will both show you where your van is. Only one of them will tell you what the engine is doing, whether a driver has exceeded their working hours, and whether a fault code appeared three days before the gearbox failed.
How Van Tracking Hardware Works?
Every van tracking system has three components: the device installed in the vehicle, the cellular connection that carries data to a server, and the fleet software that displays it.
The device is the part that determines what data you actually get.
GNSS and LTE Connectivity
The GNSS module inside the tracker acquires satellite signals to determine the vehicle’s position. Modern units use multi-constellation GNSS – combining GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and in some units BeiDou – which improves accuracy in environments where satellite visibility is limited, such as urban canyons or hilly terrain. All four devices covered in this guide deliver positional accuracy below 2.0 metres CEP under autonomous conditions.
LTE connectivity carries that data from the device to the server. For standard van tracking, LTE Cat 1 is the appropriate specification: it supports throughput of up to 10 Mbps (more than sufficient for position, speed, and diagnostic data), operates on standard LTE infrastructure, and consumes less power than the Cat 4 modems used in video telematics hardware. The practical reason LTE Cat 1 matters for UK van fleets is fallback: units such as the Queclink GV30CEU and GV355CEU include 2G fallback, which maintains data continuity in rural areas where LTE coverage is patchy.
Not every deployment requires LTE. The Queclink GV56G is a 2G-only hardwired tracker – the appropriate choice where budget is the primary constraint and the coverage area is well served by 2G infrastructure. UK fleet managers specifying 2G hardware should verify current 2G network availability on their operating routes and factor carrier sunset timelines into the hardware lifecycle decision.
For a detailed breakdown of how telematics work, see this article by Easynet Tecnologies.
Vehicle Data Interfaces: CAN Bus, OBD, and Tachograph Support
The data interface is what separates a basic location tracker from a fleet diagnostics tool.
An OBD interface reads standardised diagnostic data from the vehicle’s ECU through the OBD-II port, standard on UK commercial vehicles since 2001. It gives you engine fault codes (DTCs), fuel consumption, and ignition state. It is a read-only interface – adequate for light commercial vans where basic diagnostics and location data are the primary requirement.
CAN bus is a direct connection to the vehicle’s internal data network. It gives the tracker access to data the OBD-II port does not expose: live fuel level, wheel-speed sensor data, and vehicle-specific parameters embedded in the manufacturer’s CAN frames. The practical difference for a fleet manager: an OBD-equipped unit tells you a fault code appeared. A CAN bus-equipped unit tells you live engine temperature, fuel consumption in real time, and axle load – pulled directly from the van’s own systems, not estimated from GPS data.
Tachograph integration extends this further for mixed fleets with HGVs. A device with tachograph support – the Queclink GV355CEU is a specific example – connects to almost all tachograph models including D8 and CAN interface tachographs, downloading driver hours data and Digital Driver Files (DDD files) remotely. That eliminates the manual process of reading tachograph cards on return to depot. The GV355CEU also supports J1939/J1708 and light vehicle CAN bus simultaneously, meaning a single device handles both the van and HGV in a mixed fleet.
The Queclink GV30CEU covers standard hardwired LTE tracking with driver behaviour monitoring – appropriate for fleets where location, geofencing, and driver data are the full requirement. The GV355CEU adds CAN bus and tachograph support for fleets where vehicle diagnostics and compliance reporting are part of the brief.
Types of Van Tracker
Hardwired Trackers
A hardwired tracker connects directly to the vehicle’s power supply and – in advanced units – to the CAN bus. Installation requires a trained engineer. The advantages are tamper-resistance, uninterrupted power, and full access to vehicle data interfaces.
The Queclink GV56G is a compact 2G hardwired tracker with BLE 5.4, driving behaviour monitoring, crash detection, jamming detection, fuel cut-off, and 1-wire driver ID support – appropriate for fleets where basic hardwired tracking is the requirement and UK 2G coverage on operating routes is confirmed.
OBD Plug-In Trackers
An OBD plug-in tracker inserts into the vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostic port. No installation required – it draws power and begins transmitting within minutes of fitting. The limitation is vulnerability: a driver who knows the tracker is in the OBD port can disconnect it. For security-focused deployments, that is a real concern. For operational visibility in a trusted workforce, it typically is not.
The Queclink GV500CG is a compact LTE Cat 1 with 2G fallback OBD tracker with BLE 5.2, driving behaviour monitoring, crash detection, and geofencing – suited to leased vehicles, car rental, and fleets trialling tracking before committing to a hardwired rollout.
Portable and Asset Trackers
A portable tracker runs on an internal battery and attaches magnetically to a vehicle or asset without any installation or vehicle power connection. The primary application is trailers, non-powered assets, or covert deployment alongside a primary hardwired unit.
The Queclink GL51CG is a compact LTE Cat 1 battery-powered asset tracker with a 7,000 mAh battery rated to 2,160 days standby at one report per day – the appropriate choice when a trailer or non-powered asset needs to be tracked independently from the vehicle pulling it.
Van Tracking Features: What to Evaluate?
Real-Time Location and Geofencing
Live map visibility and alerts when vehicles enter or leave defined zones. Geofencing is the operational backbone of proof-of-delivery workflows and customer ETA management. Check the update frequency the hardware supports and whether it is configurable per vehicle.
Driver Behaviour Monitoring
Speeding, harsh braking, harsh acceleration, and idling are the standard data points. All four Queclink devices covered here support driving behaviour monitoring. The data is only useful if it is attributable to an individual driver – confirm the platform handles driver assignment correctly if multiple drivers share vehicles.
Route History and Trip Reports
Historical journey data supports HMRC mileage reporting, customer billing verification, and incident investigation. Ask about retention periods before buying: some platforms limit history to 90 days, which may not be sufficient for compliance audits or dispute resolution.
Fleet Platform Integration
If the fleet management software is already decided – Wialon is a common choice for multi-brand hardware deployments – verify that the tracker hardware supports compatible protocols: MQTT, HTTP, or the manufacturer’s proprietary protocol (Queclink uses @Track). Hardware locked to a single software vendor removes future flexibility.
BLE Accessory Support
Bluetooth Low Energy pairing extends what a single tracker can monitor: temperature in refrigerated vans, driver ID tags that log which driver is in which vehicle, tyre pressure sensors, door sensors, and beacons. The GV56G and GV30CEU both carry BLE 5.4 operating as a gateway – they connect accessories directly. The GV355CEU carries BLE 5.2. The GL51CG carries BLE 5.4 but operates as a BLE accessory rather than a gateway; it does not host sensors independently.
Van Tracking and UK Law: What Every Fleet Manager Needs to Know?
GPS tracking on company vans is legal. That is the starting point.
What the law requires is that employers do it transparently and within a defined framework. Three bodies of legislation apply: the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR, and the ICO’s Employment Practices guidance on monitoring at work.
Informing Employees Before Installation
Employees must be told that tracking is in place before it begins. Installing a tracker without informing the driver is not compliant – and it undermines the operational purpose, since driver behaviour improvement requires drivers to know their driving is being scored.
Lawful Basis
For employee vehicle tracking, the correct lawful basis under UK GDPR Article 6 is “legitimate interests.” The employer has a legitimate operational and safety interest in knowing where company vehicles are and how they are driven. Consent is not the appropriate basis in an employment relationship, where power imbalance means employees cannot give freely-given consent. This is a distinction many fleet managers get wrong at implementation.
Data Protection Impact Assessment
Systematic monitoring of employees at scale is a high-risk processing activity under UK GDPR. A DPIA is required before rolling out vehicle tracking across a fleet. It does not need to be a lengthy document, but it must be completed and retained.
Employee Rights
Drivers have the right to request access to data collected about them. A written data retention policy – how long journey records are kept and why – is part of compliant implementation. The ICO recommends defining retention periods proportionate to the business purpose.
Personal Use Outside Working Hours
Tracking a company van during personal use raises privacy concerns the ICO addresses directly. Best practice is either a privacy mode that disables tracking outside working hours, or a written policy that states when tracking is active. A verbal understanding is not sufficient.
A written monitoring policy, communicated to all drivers before installation, is the practical foundation of compliant van tracking. It protects the business, documents the lawful basis, and gives drivers a clear framework for what data is collected and why.
How Much Does Van Tracking Cost?
Van tracking costs split into two purchasing decisions: hardware and software subscription.
Hardware
Hardware pricing depends on specification tier – entry-level 2G units, standard LTE Cat 1 units, and advanced CAN bus/tachograph units each sit at a different price point. Contact the EasyNet Technologies team for current hardware pricing across the GV56G, GV30CEU, GV355CEU, and GL51CG.
Software Subscription
Software subscription is a separate line item from hardware and is charged per vehicle per month. Platform subscriptions for standard tracking features typically run from £5-£15 per vehicle per month across the market. Platforms with tachograph management, advanced reporting, or video integration sit higher. A lower hardware price does not guarantee a lower total cost – subscription charges over a five-year hardware life often exceed the initial hardware spend.
For fleets of five or more vehicles, total cost of ownership across a five-year hardware life is the more useful number than unit hardware price. The labour cost of manual tachograph reading, any insurance premium differential for tracked fleets, and the fuel reduction attributable to driver behaviour improvement all factor in.
Choosing Van Tracking Hardware for Your Fleet
The right hardware depends on what the fleet actually needs – and what the fleet composition requires.
Small Fleet (1-5 Vans): Budget or SVR as the Primary Concern
The Queclink GV56G covers the basic requirement: hardwired location tracking, driving behaviour monitoring, crash detection, jamming detection, and BLE accessory support. For fleets where LTE Cat 1 coverage matters or where the hardware will be in service beyond UK 2G network sunset timelines, the GV30CEU is the appropriate step up. OBD plug-in remains an option for leased vehicles where hardwiring is not permitted.
Growing Fleet (5-20 Vans): Operational Visibility as the Primary Concern
Hardwired LTE Cat 1 tracker with driver behaviour monitoring, geofencing, and fleet platform integration. At this scale, time saved on route planning, customer ETA management, and HMRC mileage reporting justifies the hardware and installation investment. The Queclink GV30CEU is the appropriate reference point for this profile: LTE Cat 1 with 2G fallback, IP54 waterproofing, and BLE 5.4 gateway for accessory expansion.
Mixed Fleet with HGVs or Tachograph Compliance Requirements
CAN bus and tachograph-capable hardware is not optional here – it is a compliance requirement. The Queclink GV355CEU is the reference hardware: dual CAN interfaces for both heavy and light vehicle data, K-Line tachograph connection for live data reading, remote DDD file download, and full driver behaviour monitoring in a single hardwired unit operating on 8-32V DC.
Trailers or Non-Powered Assets Alongside Vans
A vehicle tracker alone is not enough. Trailers detached from the van disappear from the map. The Queclink GL51CG on trailers and equipment gives up to 2,160 days standby in power saving mode – and its LTE Cat 1 connectivity keeps it on the same platform as the hardwired vehicle units. Pair it with a GV30CEU or GV355CEU on the tractor unit for complete visibility across powered and non-powered assets.
For deployments beyond these profiles – multi-site logistics, temperature-controlled transport, or video telematics – contact the EasyNet Technologies engineering team to discuss hardware selection for the specific application.
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