GPS Employee Tracking Laws by State (2025)
Compiled using legal summaries and reviews from sources including FieldServicely, Expert Market, and El Dorado Insurance.
| State | Statute Number | Statute Name | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 13A-11-32 | Surveillance; criminal trespass | Makes it illegal to install GPS devices while trespassing. Consent is required if installing on private property. |
Alaska | § 11.41.270 | Stalking in the second degree | Illegal to install tracking devices in vehicles or homes without consent. Consent must be obtained from the tracked individual. |
Arizona | 13-2923 | Stalking | Prohibits using a GPS device to track someone over time without permission. Consent is mandatory unless exempted. |
Arkansas | 22-8-105 | State Vehicles - Use of Tracking Devices | Only applies to state-owned vehicles. Allows government-installed GPS for official purposes. |
California | 637.7 | Penal Code - Electronic tracking devices | Tracking a person’s movements via GPS is illegal without consent. Exceptions exist for vehicle owners and law enforcement. |
Colorado | 18-3-602 | Vonnie’s Law | Criminalizes stalking using GPS when it causes emotional distress. Consent is key to avoiding liability. |
Connecticut | Public Act 21-56 | An Act Concerning Online Harassment | Using GPS tracking to intentionally cause fear is illegal. Employers should obtain written consent. |
Delaware | Title 11 Chapter 5 § 1335 | Violation of Privacy | GPS tracking without owner consent is prohibited, with exceptions for law enforcement and guardians. |
Florida | Title XLVII, 934.425 | Security of Communications | Requires consent to track someone unless tracking a minor, elder, or under law enforcement authority. |
Georgia | — | No statute | No specific GPS law, but general privacy and stalking laws may still apply. Consent is best practice. |
Hawaii | H.R.S. 803-41, 803-42 | Search and Seizure | Requires a warrant or clear consent to track someone’s location. |
Idaho | 18-6702 | Interception of Communications | General surveillance law; GPS not explicitly covered. Caution and consent are advised. |
Illinois | 720 ILCS 5/12-7.3 | Stalking Law | Consent is required unless tracking one’s own property. Violations considered stalking. |
Indiana | 35-46-8.5-1 | Unlawful Surveillance | Makes non-consensual GPS tracking a criminal offense. Obtain employee consent in advance. |
Iowa | 708.11A | Unauthorized Use of GPS | Prohibits attaching GPS without legitimate business purpose or consent. |
Kansas | SB 217 | Electronic Tracking Harassment | Prohibits using tracking devices for stalking. Legal updates expected in 2025 to clarify employer use. |
Kentucky | § 508.152 | Unauthorized Use of Electronic Tracking Device | Requires vehicle owner consent. Legal guardians and law enforcement are exempted. |
Louisiana | 14:323 | Use of Tracking Devices | GPS tracking without consent is illegal unless monitoring company-owned assets. |
Maine | 17-A §210-A | Stalking | Broad anti-stalking law includes unauthorized electronic surveillance like GPS. |
Maryland | 3-802 | Stalking | Includes GPS tracking under criminal stalking. Employers must obtain consent. |
Massachusetts | 265 §43A | Criminal Harassment | Requires a warrant for law enforcement; bans tracking used for stalking or distress. |
Michigan | 750.539 | Surveillance and Tracking | Makes it illegal to place GPS on someone’s vehicle without their knowledge. |
Minnesota | 626A.35 | Tracking Devices | Consent or a court order is needed to install a GPS device. Penalties include fines or jail. |
Mississippi | — | No statute | GPS laws not defined. General harassment or stalking statutes may still apply. |
Missouri | — | No statute | No explicit GPS law; recommend using written employee policies. |
Montana | — | No statute | No current GPS tracking law; follow best practices around transparency and consent. |
Nebraska | — | No statute | General surveillance laws may apply. Always get consent to reduce legal risk. |
Nevada | AB356 | Personal Data Privacy | Bans electronic tracking without consent. Explicit written agreement is safest. |
New Hampshire | 644-A:4 | Unauthorized Surveillance | Illegal to install a tracking device without consent. Written notice recommended. |
New Jersey | § 34:6B-22 | Worker Privacy Law | Employers must obtain employee permission to use GPS for monitoring. |
New Mexico | 30-3A-3 | Harassment | GPS tracking that causes fear or is threatening is prohibited. |
New York | Labor Law 52-c | Employer Electronic Monitoring | Requires written employee consent for GPS tracking. Must also post notice. |
North Carolina | 14-196.3 | Cyberstalking | Covers unauthorized GPS tracking. Consent is critical for legal use. |
North Dakota | 12.1-17-07.1 | Harassment | Bans GPS tracking that causes intimidation or lacks legitimate purpose. |
Ohio | — | No statute | No GPS-specific law; use consent-based policy to avoid violation of privacy laws. |
Oklahoma | 21-1173 | Unlawful Use of Electronic Tracking Device | Unlawful to place a GPS tracker on a vehicle without consent. |
Oregon | 163.715 | Invasion of Personal Privacy | GPS tracking without consent is illegal unless by owner or with court order. |
Pennsylvania | Title 18 Section 5761 | Use of Tracking Devices | Consent required to place a tracker on a vehicle. Offense is criminal. |
Rhode Island | 11-69-1 | Vehicle Tracking Devices | Consent required from both driver and occupants of the vehicle. |
South Carolina | Bill 3213 | Electronic Surveillance | Bans GPS tracking without individual’s consent. Includes employer use. |
South Dakota | — | No statute | No explicit GPS law; recommend using written employee policies. |
Tennessee | — | No statute | No explicit GPS law; recommend using written employee policies. |
Texas | Penal Code 16.06 | Tracking Device Law | Class A misdemeanor to place a tracking device on someone else's vehicle without consent, but allows for an affirmative defense if the installation was done with the owner’s or lessee’s permission—which covers most employer-installed trackers on company vehicles, especially when outlined in a written policy or agreement. |
Utah | 76-9-408 | Unlawful Installation of a Tracking Device | Using GPS to track a vehicle without permission is a misdemeanor. |
Vermont | §8101 | Electronic Communications Privacy Act (GPS Data) | Employers must obtain explicit consent before accessing or monitoring an employee’s location data unless legally compelled. |
Virginia | 18.2-60.5 | Unlawful Use of Electronic Tracking Devices | Prohibits installing a tracker without consent, including employers. However, employers may install trackers on fleet vehicles they own, as that falls under an explicit statutory exemption. |
Washington | 9A.90.130 | Cyberstalking via Electronic Tracking Device | Employers are permitted to track fleet vehicles owned by the company, as exempted under RCW § 9A.90.130. Tracking that causes a reasonable person fear or is done without consent may result in criminal liability. |
West Virginia | § 61-3-50 (interpreted) + § 21-3-20 | Unauthorized Tracking/ Employer Surveillance | No specific GPS tracking law, but tracking without consent may violate § 61-3-50. |
Wisconsin | § 940.315 | Use of GPS Devices | Misdemeanor to place tracker on another person’s vehicle without consent. |
Wyoming | — | No statute | No explicit GPS law; recommend using written employee policies. |
States With No GPS Tracking Laws
These states don’t currently have laws that directly regulate GPS tracking:
- Georgia
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- *West Virginia
- Wyoming
*Technically, there are no specific tracking laws in West Virginia; however, tracking without consent may violate § 61-3-50
Even so, general privacy, harassment, and stalking laws or broader GPS employee tracking laws may still apply in states with no employee tracking laws in place. That’s why it’s a best practice, regardless of state, to inform employees about GPS tracking and obtain their written consent.
Balancing Tracking Benefits with Privacy Rights
While GPS on company vehicles offers significant benefits, it's crucial to balance these with employee privacy rights - plus, clearing up any GPS tracking myths for both your employees and yourself is an absolute must!
Employers should be transparent about the purpose of tracking, the data collected, and how it will be used. Open communication helps build trust and ensures compliance with GPS tracking laws by state. Need more info? Here are some GPS tracking FAQs to explore.
Ethical Issues to Consider
Consent: Always get clear, informed consent from employees before GPS tracking begins. This means telling them what’s being tracked, when it’s happening, why it’s necessary, and how the data will be used. The best time to collect this consent is during onboarding and when updating company policies.
Transparency: Be upfront about the tracking process. Provide written documentation outlining your GPS on company vehicles tracking policy. Make it easy for employees to understand what data is collected and who has access to it. Transparency builds trust and encourages cooperation.
Data Security: Location data is sensitive information. Make sure it’s stored securely and only accessible to authorised personnel. Use encrypted systems and avoid storing unnecessary data. Let employees know how long the data is retained and how it will be disposed of.
Fair Use: Limit tracking to business-related purposes only. Tracking employees after hours, during breaks, or when they’re off the clock can erode trust and open you up to legal issues. Make sure your GPS employee tracking policy reflects that data will only be used to improve operations, safety, and compliance, not to micromanage or invade privacy.
Whether your state requires it or not, getting written consent is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay compliant.
- Provide clear, upfront information about what will be tracked and why.
- Get written consent before tracking begins — ideally during onboarding.
- Let employees ask questions or raise concerns.
- Limit tracking to necessary, work-related activity.
- Secure all GPS employee tracking data and only use it for stated purposes.
By following these steps, you’ll stay compliant with GPS tracking laws by state and demonstrate your commitment to ethical employee management when GPS-tracking employees.
Track Employees Ethically and Legally with ClockShark’s GPS Time Clock
ClockShark is purpose-built for compliance with GPS employee tracking laws. Our GPS Time Clock app helps field service businesses track workers during work hours only, aligning with legal best practices that prohibit after-hours tracking or tracking on personal devices without consent.
Key compliance-friendly features include:
✔️ Real-time GPS tracking linked to time punches, so you only track employees while they’re clocked in for work.
✔️ Geofencing and job site boundaries to automate clock-ins and outs.
✔️ Consent collection during onboarding with customisable forms.
✔️ Admin settings to restrict who can view location data.
✔️ Offline time tracking software that works even when cell service doesn't.
Want to explore common questions your team might have? Check out our Time Tracking FAQ for employees for clear answers on what GPS tracking means for them.
“I would definitely recommend ClockShark to anyone with a business in the service industry with a lot of employees in the field.”
-Abel C., President/Founder of Extreme Janitors
Want to see it in action? Watch our video:
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Legal Disclaimer This article is for informational purposes only. We make no representation or warranty regarding its accuracy, adequacy or completeness at the time of reading.
