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How to Choose a SIM Card for an OBD GPS Tracker in Australia

An OBD GPS tracker plugs into a vehicle's OBD-II diagnostic port, draws power from the vehicle, and reports its location over the 4G mobile network. The SIM card inside it is what carries those reports. This guide covers which OBD trackers can use a retail data SIM, what to check before you buy, and how to size the data allowance.

Does an OBD tracker need a SIM card?

It depends on how the device connects. OBD-port devices fall into three groups:

Device type How it connects Needs a SIM?
4G OBD GPS tracker with a removable SIM slot Mobile data over its own SIM Yes — this is the type a retail data SIM serves
OBD tracker sold with a built-in or pre-installed SIM The seller's own connectivity service It already has one — a third-party SIM only applies if the model also documents a removable SIM option
Bluetooth OBD-II scan tool, or an OBD tag that locates through nearby phones Your phone, or other people's phones No — there is no SIM slot to fill

Five checks before buying a SIM for an OBD tracker

  1. Network generation. The tracker must use standard 4G LTE. Australia's 3G networks have now closed — the ACMA's 3G switch-off page confirms the shutdown is complete — so a 2G or 3G OBD tracker cannot be brought back online with any SIM.
  2. SIM slot and size. Confirm the model has a removable SIM slot and note the size the manufacturer lists. OBD trackers sold in Australia include Micro-SIM (3FF) models; a triple-cut SIM covers Standard, Micro and Nano without an adapter.
  3. SMS or voice dependence. A data-only SIM suits trackers that report over mobile data. If a tracker requires SMS or voice for its essential tracking functions, a data-only SIM is not a fit. If SMS is needed only for first-time setup, you may be able to configure with an SMS-capable SIM first, then install the data SIM — provided the tracker keeps those settings.
  4. Platform separation. The SIM and the tracking platform are two separate services. The SIM carries the data; the map, app and alerts come from the tracker provider's platform, and platform or app fees, where applicable, are charged by that provider. Check what your tracker's platform access costs when you bring your own SIM.
  5. Manufacturer's own-SIM policy. Some OBD trackers are restricted to the seller's connectivity service. Look for the manufacturer documenting a bring-your-own-SIM option before ordering.

A documented example: Crucial Tracking CT-V08

The CT-V08 is a plug-in OBD vehicle tracker sold in Australia whose manufacturer, Crucial Tracking, publishes the details that matter for a SIM decision in its specifications: 4G LTE connectivity, a Micro-SIM (3FF) slot, support for your own active Australian 4G SIM with data, and a platform-access option available without their SIM or data. That combination — documented BYO SIM plus separately available platform access — is the pattern to look for in any OBD tracker you intend to run on a retail SIM.

How much data does an OBD tracker use?

Data use is driven by the reporting interval while the vehicle is moving. The same drive produces very different totals under different modes: the CT-V08's manufacturer states a 4-minute drive records 48 positions in its 10-second mode and 3 positions in its 2-minute mode. Hours on the road per week and whether the tracker keeps reporting while parked complete the picture — if it reduces reporting with the ignition off, parked time adds little.

Estimate from your own reporting mode and driving pattern rather than from the device type, and see the GPS tracker data usage guide for reference estimates by reporting mode. Plan options and current pricing are on the OBD Tracker SIM product page.

Setting up the SIM in an OBD tracker

  1. Insert the SIM into the tracker before plugging the tracker into the vehicle.
  2. Plug the tracker into the OBD-II port — your vehicle's manual shows where it is; under the dash on the driver's side is the place to check first. Check your vehicle has a standard OBD-II port; not every electric vehicle does.
  3. Start the vehicle or switch the ignition on, and allow a few minutes outdoors for the first network connection. Underground car parks and enclosed garages can delay it.
  4. If the tracker requires manual network settings, follow our device setup guide, then register the device on your tracker provider's platform per its instructions.

When an OBD tracker can't use a retail SIM

  • It is 2G or 3G only.
  • Its SIM is built in or locked to the seller's service, with no documented BYO option.
  • It requires SMS or voice for its essential tracking functions.
  • It isn't a cellular device at all — Bluetooth scan tools and phone-network locator tags have no SIM slot.

In those cases the answer isn't a different SIM — it's either the seller's own service or a different tracker.

FAQ

What SIM card does an OBD GPS tracker use?

For a compatible BYO-SIM OBD tracker, a 4G data SIM in the size the manufacturer lists for the model — Micro-SIM (3FF) appears on OBD trackers sold in Australia, and a triple-cut SIM covers Standard, Micro and Nano. Vendor restrictions and any SMS or voice requirements still need to be checked for your exact model, per the five checks above.

Can I use a data-only SIM in an OBD tracker?

It may be suitable if the tracker reports over mobile data and doesn't require SMS or voice for its essential tracking functions. Check the model's manual for SMS-based commands before relying on them.

Does the SIM include the tracking app?

No. The SIM is the data connection. The map, app and alerts come from your tracker provider's platform, and any platform or app fees are charged by that provider.

Can I move the tracker between vehicles?

If both vehicles have a standard OBD-II port, the tracker unplugs and moves across in seconds, and the SIM stays inside it — one SIM follows the tracker. On the platform side, you may need to update the vehicle assignment or profile so trips are recorded against the right vehicle; check your tracker provider's instructions.

Could Australia's 3G shutdown be why my OBD tracker stopped working?

If the tracker is 3G only, yes — Australia's 3G networks have now closed, and a 3G-only tracker cannot reconnect with any SIM; a 4G replacement tracker is the fix. If the tracker is 4G-capable, work through the other causes in our offline troubleshooting guide.

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