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Van Tracking: Best Systems & Full Guide for Fleet Managers

Van tracking is no longer optional. Last year, an estimated 11,273 vans were stolen in the UK, about 31 every day, worth nearly £200 million, with only 39% recovered. That is not just a security issue: it is a cost, compliance and productivity issue.

Anna Edwards·16 min read

Black and white picture of a van driving on a dual carriageway in the countryside

Contents

Quick Summary Van Tracking Systems Compared (2025)How does van tracking work?What are the benefits of van tracking?Improve safety Monitor usage Minimise fuel costs Theft recovery Better sustainability How to self-install ABAX hardwired trackers What is the cost and ROI of tracking vans?Legal considerations of van tracking Is it legal to track company vans in the UK?Informing employees Respecting van driver privacy Van tracking data storage and access Van tracking best practices Restrict the movement of your vans with geofencing Ready to compare van tracking systems and see quick wins?Sources

This guide is designed for Fleet Managers who are already exploring van tracking systems. You will find a quick summary, a competitor snapshot, the benefits, installation steps, cost and ROI, legal considerations, and how to use features such as geofencing to secure your fleet.

Quick Summary

The leading van tracking systems in the UK are ABAX, Webfleet, Radius, Trackm8 and Quartix, Fleetsmart.
Van tracking helps reduce fuel use, improve driver safety and ensure HMRC compliance.
Devices are easy to install with either plug-in or hardwired options.
Geofencing alerts you instantly if a van leaves a depot or job site.
ABAX stands out with GPS + Bluetooth coverage, lifetime hardware warranty, 12-month contracts and 24/7 support.

Van Tracking Systems Compared (2025)

Provider	Best for	Key capabilities	Pricing	Contract term
ABAX	Small, mid and large fleets, all-in-one platform for managing vehicles, tools and machinery	GPS tracking, driving behaviour, mileage log, geofencing, CO₂ reporting, lifetime hardware warranty, vehicle inspections, multiple integrations and open 2-way API, competitor contract buy-outs	Pricing features based on fleet size, devices and contract length	12, 24 and 36 month contracts
Radius	Mid-size fleets, integrated cameras, vehicle and machinery tracking, fuel card integration	GPS tracking, driver behaviour monitoring, dashcam integration	Pricing features based on fleet size, devices and contract length	12-60 month contracts, typically dependant on fuel card agreement
RAM Tracking	Mid-size fleets, vehicle telematics, diagnostics, job/asset integration, RAM assist	GPS tracking, OBD / vehicle health data, driving behaviour, dashcam integration as add-on	Pricing features based on package	36 month contracts
Quartix	Small to mid-sized fleets needing standard tracking and reporting	GPS tracking, driving behaviour reports, geofencing, electric fleet capabilities, vehicle maintenance management	Tiered plans from £9.99	36 month contracts

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How does van tracking work?

A van tracker is a small device that transmits real-time data to a secure cloud platform.
GPS technology pinpoints information such as: each van’s location, speed and route at any given moment, while Bluetooth tags extend visibility to smaller tools and equipment and can automatically create an inventory of what is inside each vehicle.

The tracker continually sends information to a central system where Fleet Managers can view it on a single dashboard - including live maps, trip history, driving behaviour and automated performance reports. This gives a complete picture of how every van is used across the fleet, helping businesses plan routes, respond to jobs faster and prevent unauthorised use.

GPS pinpoints van locations in real time.
Bluetooth tags extend visibility to smaller tools and equipment and can create inventories for vans.
Fleet Managers get a single dashboard with maps, trip history, driving behaviour and automated reports.

What are the benefits of van tracking?

Van tracking delivers measurable improvements across safety, efficiency and sustainability. By giving Fleet Managers real-time visibility into driver behaviour, vehicle use and route performance, tracking technology helps businesses operate smarter, cut costs and protect their assets. Here are some of the main advantages:

Improve safety

Spot risky driving and coach improvements to reduce accidents and insurance costs.

Monitor usage

Analyse utilisation and verify timesheets with accurate first and last trip logs. This ensures vans are used effectively and fairly across the fleet.

Minimise fuel costs

Cut idling and wasted mileage by dispatching the nearest van. Smarter routing saves fuel and lowers running costs.

Theft recovery

Geofencing sends alerts when vans leave predefined zones, improving recovery odds. Van tracking uses GPS, meaning the location can be monitored remotely and given to authorities if required.

Better sustainability

Reduce emissions through more efficient routing and fuel management. Detailed reports also support ESG goals by tracking progress towards carbon reduction targets.

How to self-install ABAX hardwired trackers

Installing a van tracker is quick and straightforward, with minimal downtime for vehicles and no professional fitting costs. These are the steps to installing the two most common types of tracking devices:

Mount the device: Place discreetly, for example behind the dashboard or within the engine bay.
Connect to power: Wire to a 12/24V source with ground.
Confirm installation: Confirm in the app and check unit is visible on the app.

What is the cost and ROI of tracking vans?

The cost of van tracking systems in the UK typically ranges between £10 and £25 per vehicle per month, depending on the provider, features and contract length. Most solutions charge a small monthly subscription that includes the hardware, software access and data connectivity - similar to mobile phone charges. Some systems, such as plug-in trackers, require no professional installation, which helps keep initial costs down.

While the upfront investment is relatively low, the return on investment can be significant. Businesses often recover the cost within a few months through reduced fuel consumption, faster dispatching, improved driver behaviour and better utilisation of vehicles. In many cases, preventing a single theft or unauthorised trip can offset several years of subscription fees. ROI is achieved through:

Fuel savings: Optimised routes and less idling.
Theft recovery: Prevents major replacement and downtime costs.
Admin reduction: Automated mileage logs remove time consuming admin tasks and manual errors.

Legal considerations of van tracking

Before fitting any tracking devices to company vehicles, it is important to understand the legal responsibilities that come with monitoring employee activity. UK law allows vehicle tracking, but only when it is used fairly, transparently and for legitimate business purposes.

The following key areas explain how to stay compliant and respect driver privacy.

Is it legal to track company vans in the UK?

Yes. Tracking company vehicles is legal in the UK when it serves a legitimate business purpose such as improving safety, increasing efficiency, or protecting assets. The tracking must be proportionate and not used for unnecessary or intrusive monitoring.

Informing employees

Before trackers are installed, employers must inform all drivers that their vans will be monitored. Drivers should clearly understand:

What data will be collected
Why it is collected
How it will be used and who can access it
How long it will be stored

Providing this information demonstrates transparency and ensures compliance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Respecting van driver privacy

Tracking should only take place during working hours or for specific business activities.

If vans are taken home or occasionally used for private purposes, the system should include a privacy mode that pauses tracking outside of work hours. This safeguards personal privacy while maintaining necessary operational oversight.

Van tracking data storage and access

Employers must store tracking data securely, restrict access to authorised staff, and only keep it for as long as required to fulfil the business purpose.

Your organisation’s privacy policy should outline what information is collected, the lawful basis for processing and how long records are retained.

Van tracking best practices

To make sure your business stays compliant and your team feels comfortable with vehicle tracking, it helps to follow a few simple best practices:

Keep everyone informed: Ask employees to sign a short acknowledgement confirming they understand how and why tracking is used.
Respect personal time: Choose a system that lets drivers switch off tracking or enable privacy mode when they’re off duty.
Stay up to date: Review your vehicle-tracking and data-protection policies regularly to ensure they reflect the latest UK legislation and ICO guidance.

For official advice on data protection and employee monitoring, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

Restrict the movement of your vans with geofencing

Create digital boundaries for depots and job sites. Receive alerts for entry, exit or after-hours movement. This improves security and prevents project delays.

👉 Explore Geofencing →

Ready to compare van tracking systems and see quick wins?

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Sources

ABAX Fleet

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Frequently Asked Questions

Route planning and mapping can help you choose the most efficient routes for your fleets and also encourage your employees to drive more efficiently.
Yes. ABAX systems include built-in geofencing tools that let you create digital boundaries around depots, job sites or customer areas. Fleet Managers can receive instant alerts if a vehicle or asset enters or leaves a set zone, helping to improve security, prevent unauthorised use and support more efficient job management
The GPS van tracking device makes use of live location tracking. This means that it updates in real-time - roughly every 30 seconds - and provides the most accurate location information possible.
No. Van tracking is an affordable investment that quickly pays for itself through reduced fuel use, fewer unauthorised trips and lower maintenance costs. By improving efficiency and protecting assets, tracking helps businesses save money and operate smarter - making it a necessity, not a luxury, in today’s economy.
Van tracking isn’t about mistrust - it’s about improving efficiency, safety and transparency. Even the most reliable teams benefit from accurate data van tracking provides. Tracking helps protect staff from false claims, supports compliance, and ensures vehicles and equipment are used safely and effectively.
In many cases. van tracking can help lower insurance premiums by promoting safer driving habits, reducing accident risk and improving theft recovery rates. Many insurers recognise that tracked fleets are more secure and better managed, which can make businesses eligible for lower premiums or enhanced policy terms.
Most modern van trackers are small and discreet, making them difficult to detect. Many devices include tamper alerts and internal backup batteries that activate if power is disconnected. Even if removed, the tracker’s last known location can be used to support vehicle recovery and security investigations.