Remove a Vehicle from Your Track My Ride Account
Delete mobile tracked vehicles or deactivate hardware trackers
Sometimes you need to remove a vehicle from your Track My Ride account. Perhaps you've sold a vehicle, transferred it to another department, or simply no longer need GPS tracking for that particular asset. This guide walks you through the removal process for both hardware tracked and mobile tracked vehicles. The process differs depending on which type of tracking you're using, so it's important to understand the distinction before you start.
Understanding Vehicle Removal
Track My Ride handles hardware tracked and mobile tracked vehicles differently when you remove them. This is because hardware trackers are physical devices that can be reused, while mobile tracked vehicles are just entries in your account with no associated hardware.
Hardware Tracked Vehicles
Hardware tracked vehicles use physical GPS devices installed in your vehicles. When you remove one of these, you're actually deactivating the tracker rather than deleting it. The tracker stays associated with your account but stops tracking and billing. You can reactivate it later if needed.
Mobile Tracked Vehicles
Mobile tracked vehicles use smartphone tracking through the Track My Ride app. When you remove one of these, you're permanently deleting the vehicle entry from your account. All historical data associated with that vehicle will no longer be accessible.
Removing a Vehicle from Your Account
The removal process is the same for both vehicle types initially, but branches into different steps depending on what type of vehicle you're removing.
Step 1: Access Your Account
Log in to your Track My Ride account at https://app.trackmyride.com.au or open the Track My Ride mobile app on your phone.
Step 2: Navigate to Vehicles
Click on the vehicles section to view your list of vehicles. You'll see the truck icon in the menu.
Step 3: Find Your Vehicle
Locate the vehicle you want to remove in your vehicles table. If you manage many vehicles, use the search field at the top right corner to quickly find it. Type any identifying detail like the vehicle name, registration number, or driver name.
Step 4: Open the Vehicle Editor
Click the pencil button on the right side of the vehicle's row. This opens the vehicle editing window.
Step 5: Start the Removal Process
Look for the red bin icon at the bottom left corner of the vehicle editing window. Click this icon to begin removing the vehicle.
At this point, the process differs depending on whether you're removing a hardware tracked or mobile tracked vehicle.
Deactivating a Hardware Tracker
When you click the bin icon for a hardware tracked vehicle, Track My Ride recognises that there's a physical tracker associated with this vehicle. Instead of deleting the vehicle, the system takes you through a deactivation process.
Understanding Deactivation
Deactivation stops your hardware tracker from reporting location data and removes the associated billing charges. The tracker remains linked to your account in a deactivated state, which means you can reactivate it in the future without needing to set it up from scratch.
Step 1: Confirm Deactivation
After clicking the bin icon, a popup appears explaining that this vehicle has a hardware tracker and must be deactivated instead of deleted. The message asks if you'd like to open the hardware tracker management area.
Click "Confirm" to proceed to the tracker management screen.
Step 2: Complete Deactivation
The hardware tracker management screen shows your selected tracker in the "Deactivate hardware tracker(s)" field. Review the information displayed to ensure you're deactivating the correct tracker.
Click "Submit" to complete the deactivation.
What Happens After Deactivation
Your tracker and its associated vehicle record are immediately removed from your active vehicles list. The tracker enters a deactivated state where:
- It stops reporting location data
- It stops generating alerts
- You can no longer view it on your live map
- Historical journey data is preserved but no longer easily accessible
- Billing charges will be removed at the end of your current billing period
Important Billing Information
Your hardware tracking licence will be scheduled for removal at the end of your current billing period. This means if you deactivate mid-billing cycle, you'll continue to pay for that tracker until the period ends.
Track My Ride cannot issue refunds for deactivated hardware trackers mid-billing period due to fixed costs associated with providing the service. This policy is outlined in the Terms and Conditions.
Reactivating Hardware Trackers
Deactivated 4G hardware trackers can be reactivated at any time in the future. When you reactivate, the tracker will be prorated into your current billing period. Please allow between 5 and 60 minutes for reactivated trackers to become active on the mobile network.
Note that 3G trackers (TMR-S1, TMR-S5, TMR-S7) can no longer be reactivated as the 3G network in Australia shut down in October 2024. If you have a legacy 3G tracker, you'll need to upgrade to a new 4G tracker model.
Deleting a Mobile Tracked Vehicle
When you click the bin icon for a mobile tracked vehicle, Track My Ride recognises that there's no physical hardware associated with this vehicle. The system allows you to permanently delete the vehicle entry.
Understanding Deletion
Deletion is permanent. Once you delete a mobile tracked vehicle, all data recorded for that vehicle is removed from your account. This includes tracking history, alerts, and reports associated with that vehicle. You cannot undo this action.
Step 1: Confirm Deletion
After clicking the bin icon, a popup appears warning you that the vehicle will be deleted and you won't be able to access any data recorded for it anymore. The message lists what you'll lose access to:
- Tracking history
- Alerts
- Reports
The popup asks you to confirm you want to delete the vehicle by name.
Step 2: Complete Deletion
If you're certain you want to proceed, click the red "Delete" button to permanently remove the vehicle. If you're not sure, click "Cancel" to go back without making changes.
What Happens After Deletion
The mobile tracked vehicle is immediately and permanently removed from your account. Drivers who previously selected this vehicle in their Track My Ride mobile app will no longer see it in their vehicle list. Any future driving activity from those drivers will need to be assigned to a different vehicle.
When to Remove Vehicles
Understanding when vehicle removal is appropriate helps you maintain an accurate and well-organised fleet tracking system.
Vehicles You've Sold
When you sell a vehicle, you should remove it from your Track My Ride account. For hardware tracked vehicles, deactivate the tracker and remove it from the vehicle before handing over ownership. For mobile tracked vehicles, delete the vehicle entry.
Vehicles Transferred to Another Branch
If your organisation has multiple Track My Ride accounts and you're moving a vehicle to a different account, deactivate or delete it from the current account first. The hardware tracker can then be reactivated on the new account.
Seasonal or Temporary Vehicles
If you have seasonal vehicles that you only use part of the year, you might deactivate hardware trackers during off-season to reduce costs. Reactivate them when you need tracking again.
Vehicles No Longer Requiring Tracking
Sometimes you decide certain vehicles no longer need GPS tracking. Deactivate hardware trackers to stop billing while preserving the option to track again in the future. Delete mobile tracked vehicle entries if you're certain you won't track those vehicles again.
Before Replacing Hardware
If you're replacing old hardware with new trackers, deactivate the old tracker before activating the new one. This ensures you're not paying for both simultaneously.
Important Considerations Before Removing Vehicles
Before you remove a vehicle from your account, consider these important points to avoid losing data or creating problems.
Backup Important Data
If the vehicle has historical journey data, reports, or alert information you need to keep, export or save this information before removing the vehicle. Once a mobile tracked vehicle is deleted or a hardware tracker is deactivated, accessing historical data becomes difficult or impossible.
Check for Active Alerts
Review any active alerts configured for this vehicle. Removing the vehicle will stop these alerts from working. If similar alerts are needed for other vehicles, make sure they're configured elsewhere before proceeding.
Inform Your Drivers
If drivers use the Track My Ride mobile app to track this vehicle, let them know before you remove it. They'll need to select a different vehicle for their driving activities.
Consider Deactivation Instead of Deletion
For mobile tracked vehicles, consider whether you really need to delete the entry. While there's no cost to keep mobile tracked vehicles in your system, deletion is permanent. If there's any chance you'll want access to the historical data later, keep the vehicle entry in your account.
Hardware Removal
If you're deactivating a hardware tracker, physically remove the device from the vehicle before selling or transferring it. The hardware remains your property and can be used in another vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a hardware tracked vehicle?
No, hardware tracked vehicles cannot be deleted. You must deactivate the tracker through the hardware tracker management system. This preserves the tracker for future use and ensures proper disconnection from the network.
Will I get a refund if I deactivate mid-billing cycle?
No, Track My Ride cannot issue refunds for hardware trackers deactivated mid-billing period. You'll continue paying for the tracker until the end of your current billing period, then the charges will stop.
Can I reactivate a deactivated hardware tracker?
Yes, you can reactivate any deactivated 4G hardware tracker at any time through the hardware tracker management area. Reactivation will be prorated into your current billing period. Allow 5 to 60 minutes for the tracker to become active on the network.
What happens to alerts when I remove a vehicle?
All alerts configured for that vehicle stop working immediately. The alerts themselves aren't deleted from your account, but they become inactive since there's no vehicle to monitor.
Can I transfer a hardware tracker to another vehicle?
Yes, you can deactivate the tracker from one vehicle and then reactivate it for a different vehicle. You'll need to physically move the hardware device and set up a new vehicle entry for the new vehicle.
What's the difference between deactivation and deletion?
Deactivation applies to hardware trackers and keeps the tracker associated with your account in an inactive state. Deletion applies to mobile tracked vehicles and permanently removes all data from your account.
Do I need to uninstall the hardware before deactivating?
While you can deactivate without physically removing the hardware, it's recommended to uninstall the device, especially if you're selling the vehicle or transferring it. The hardware remains your property.
Will my drivers know when I remove a mobile tracked vehicle?
No automatic notification is sent. The vehicle simply disappears from their vehicle selection list in the mobile app. It's best practice to inform drivers before removing vehicles they use.
What happens to scheduled reports for a removed vehicle?
Any scheduled reports configured to include the removed vehicle will continue to run, but they won't include data from that vehicle anymore. You may want to adjust your report configurations after removing vehicles.
Removing vehicles from Track My Ride is straightforward once you understand the difference between deactivating hardware trackers and deleting mobile tracked vehicles. Remember that hardware deactivation stops billing at the end of your current period and allows future reactivation, while mobile vehicle deletion is permanent and immediate.
If you need assistance with vehicle removal or have questions about the impact on your account, contact Track My Ride support at Support@trackmyride.com.au or create a ticket by navigating to https://help.trackmyride.com.au/knowledge-base/kb-tickets/new