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do we need to insert a SIM(cellular/GSM) to a vehicle GPS if we want to track the location from the distance? (over the internet)

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Short answer: yes — for remote, real‑time tracking the GPS unit needs a way to send its position off the vehicle. GPS itself is only a passive receiver (it listens to satellites; it does not “call home”), so getting fixes onto the internet requires a communications channel such as a cellular modem (SIM/data), a satellite uplink, or a local link to a phone/app. (faa.gov)

Clarifying the common cases: a passive GPS logger records locations to internal memory (no SIM) and you retrieve the file later; a live tracker transmits fixes periodically to a server or app — most consumer vehicle trackers use a cellular modem and a SIM/data plan (some vendors supply an embedded SIM or their own SIM/service). That’s the difference behind ’s and ’s points: navigation needs only a receiver, but remote tracking needs a transmitter. (autolines.com.au)

Other connectivity options exist: satellite messengers/trackers and IoT cellular standards. Satellite units use satellite networks and vendor subscriptions (useful where there’s no cell coverage). On the cellular side, modern asset/vehicle trackers are moving away from old 2G/3G-only modules toward LTE / LTE‑M / NB‑IoT (and 4G/5G) — important because many carriers have retired legacy 2G/3G networks, so a 2G‑only tracker bought years ago may stop connecting. (digikey.my)

Practical checklist before you buy or install: confirm whether the unit has a SIM slot or eSIM and which radio bands it supports; ask whether the vendor supplies the SIM/service or you must add a data plan; verify APN/server settings and whether the device supports TCP/HTTP or SMS uplinks; decide between passive logger, cellular real‑time, or satellite (coverage vs. cost tradeoff); and respect privacy/consent laws when tracking vehicles you don’t own. If the current unit has no comms, either use a passive logger or replace it with a tracker that explicitly lists cellular/satellite connectivity and supported networks. (itrackgpstrackers.com)

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Member Avatar for rubberman

It would depend upon the GPS device that you have. Some may support installation of a SIM, others a USB cellular modem, and others perhaps neither. In any case, if your GPS device does not support some variety of external communication service, you are SOL.

Member Avatar for karann1986

It is not necessary to use a sim for GPS navigation......

Member Avatar for neatric

I think a sim is used if you are using a gsm phone as the signal device for the gps otherwise other signal devices can also be used without a sim, example a small satellite dish.

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