GPS tracking is an easy and affordable way to monitor a person, vehicle or asset. With extremely minimal effort, you can know where they are, where they’ve been, where they’re going and how fast they’re traveling. But what’s legal and what’s not in the world of GPS?

For starters, it’s entirely legal to use a GPS tracking device in Massachusetts on any vehicle or asset you own. But before you use a GPS tracking device on someone else’s person, vehicle or property, you should do a little research on current federal, state and local laws. As laws change over time and by location, it is your responsibility to verify what the current laws are in your area. The information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and should be only used as a reference and not as fact.

As of now, here’s what private citizens need to know about GPS tracking and the law:

It’s generally legal to use a GPS tracking device if:

• You or your organization own the vehicle.
• You or your company do not own the vehicle, but you place the GPS device on the outside of the car – under the rear bumper, for example.
• The vehicle is visible to the public – in a public parking lot or on a public street, for example.
• You could obtain the same location or travel information by physically trailing the vehicle.
• The vehicle is not situated on someone else’s private property when putting the device on.

It’s generally illegal to use a GPS tracking device if:

• You need to break into the vehicle to situate the device.
• If you are a law enforcement agency and do not have a warrant.
• You need to physically hard-wire the device inside the vehicle. (Legal if your vehicle)
• The vehicle is in a place where its owner has a reasonable expectation of privacy – in a private garage, for example

You should know that the laws governing GPS tracking by government agents, police or private citizens are not definitive. The Fourth Amendment and other state and federal laws grant United States residents certain protections to their privacy, including strict limits on illegal search and seizure. But there’s nothing in the Constitution that specifically addresses GPS tracking technology – or many other forms of electronic surveillance.

The Supreme Court and several lower courts issued rulings on GPS in 2012, but those decisions addressed narrow uses of the technology by police and employers, respectively. The courts didn’t address the use of GPS tracking devices by private citizens.

With its recent ruling on GPS tracking by police, the Supreme Court left many questions unanswered. But the justices signaled that they were ready to delve more deeply into electronic surveillance issues.

GPS Rentals in Massachusetts

We offer professional grade GPS tracker rentals at an affordable rate and flexible terms.

Rentals from Assurance Tracking require no long-term commitment, no cellular contract, no “locates/pings” fees, and there’s no expensive equipment to purchase – just use the unit while you need it, then send it back in the provide, postage paid container!

Our GPS Tracking Device Rentals come complete with Easy-to-Use Custom Developed Software that does all the work for you!

All trackers are true real-time GPS units that send information over ATT Cellular. The software provides the ability of viewing live locations, stops & transits, routes, recent location on a digital map with addresses and by satellite using Google and Bing Maps. The tracking site can be accessed from any browser and a mobile site provides flawless viewing from your phone or tablet.

We offer two different types of professional grade trackers to choose from.

The extended battery powered GPS tracker that comes in a sealed case with a 80 lb magnet to be easily placed under a vehicle. This unit can also be used with the included standard battery without the case and can be carried on your body or easily concealed under a seat or in a glove-box or trunk. The extended battery holds enough bower to transmit a vehicles location every 10 seconds for 75 hours with of driving.

The second option is a simple plug in OBD II tracker that can be installed into any vehicle that was made after 1996. Simply plug the unit into the OBD II port that is located just under the steering column in most cars and you are done. The unit is powered by the vehicle and does not need any extra power.

There are no tools or or special vehicle knowledge needed to install either device. Both units report the vehicles location every 10 seconds while the vehicle is moving. It comes down to if you feel more comfortable placing the device under the vehicle or if the device could be discretely placed under the dashboard. There are video’s provided under the F.A.Q. section that show the installation of both types of units. After watching the video’s feel free to call us at 860-698-0411 to discuss the options available for the desired vehicle.

Regardless of the duration of rental period selected the period does not start until the day after you receive the tracker. And after the period is up just place the tracker into the postage paid packaging and drop it in the mail and your done.

As we ship from Connecticut in many cases you will receive the unit the next day.

For additional information on the GPS Tracker rental process please continue to our rental agreement page

As the GPS trackers transmit off the AT&T network they work all throughout the state of Massachusetts and beyond. We have received positive feedback from our customers on the trackers performance and reliability in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Cambridge, New Bedford, Brockton, Quincy, Lynn, Fall River, Newton, Lawrence, Somerville, Framingham, Haverhill, Waltham, Malden, Brookline, Plymouth, Medford, and Taunton .