Which Rental Companies Use Tracking Devices?
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Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices are generally used in fleet management. The devices provide companies with information regarding the location of their people, equipment, and merchandise. Rental car companies have also used this equipment to track mileage, breech of state lines, and in some cases, speeding by the driver. - Companies far and wide offer the option of GPS in rental vehicles. Some may require prior notice as well as charge a separate fee for GPS usage. Vehicle trip routes that are programmed during the time of rental produce an electronic blueprint of the locations that the rental car has traveled. This is one way a rental car company can track where the renter has been with the vehicle.
- GPS loggers are small devices that can be placed inside or on a vehicle to track travel details. Loggers are removed after rental and uploaded onto a computer where the company is given the information needed to evaluate the vehicle's usage. These details sometimes include speeding. ABC News reports an incident where a renter was charged $450 for allegedly speeding. The tracking device was used by Acme Rent-a-Car of New Haven. The device reported that the driver exceeded the speed limit a total of three times. The driver was then fined by the rental company $150 for each offense. Having the driver's banking information, the rental company then directly charged his account.
- Research of the top rental car companies at airports reveals that at least one company, Payless Car Rental, states in the contract that a tracking device may be used. It also states that if a tracking device is used that information will be disclosed at the time of rental. Companies that include GPS with rentals include Avis, Advantage, Budget, Hertz, and Thrifty, to name a few. Keep in mind that although these companies do not offer information of tracking device use, the GPS system on the vehicle can also be used to determine the car's previous whereabouts. The best way to find out if a rental car company is using tracking devices in their vehicles is to ask. This information should be disclosed when approached before rental. Individuals and court systems are beginning to take action against companies that are using GPS in this manner. According to FindLaw, several states have already restricted the use of these tracking devices by rental car companies for this purpose. Please see the listed resources for further details.
