How to Add Vehicles in Verizon Connect
Quick Summary
Adding a vehicle in Verizon Connect depends on the type of hardware you use. If your vehicle has aftermarket hardware, the system adds it automatically once the device is installed and activated. If your vehicle has built-in OEM telematics, such as Ford, GM, or Volvo hardware, you must connect it through the Connect Vehicles screen in My Account or work with your Customer Success Manager. In scenario-based route planning, you can also create vehicles manually through the Vehicles list. This guide walks through every method step by step, so your fleet stays accurate and ready for tracking, routing, and reporting. For a broader look at the platform’s capabilities, visit Verizon Connect Fleet Management Software & Solutions.
What Is Verizon Connect and Why Does Adding Vehicles Matter?
Verizon Connect Fleet Management Software & Solutions helps businesses track vehicles, monitor drivers, plan routes, and manage costs from a single dashboard. However, none of these features work correctly until your vehicles appear in the system. Consequently, adding vehicles is one of the first and most important setup tasks for any new account.
Furthermore, the way you add a vehicle changes based on your hardware setup. Aftermarket hardware, OEM built-in telematics, and manually created scenario vehicles each follow a distinct workflow. Therefore, before you start, it helps to know which category your fleet falls into.
Why Does Hardware Type Change the Process?
Aftermarket devices are physical trackers installed in the vehicle by a technician. Once installed, the device automatically registers itself with your account, so no manual entry is required. On the other hand, OEM vehicles use telematics hardware already built into the vehicle by the manufacturer. Since Verizon Connect does not install this hardware, you must instead purchase and activate a subscription for it. Understanding this distinction from the start prevents confusion and saves setup time later.
How Do You Add a Vehicle With Aftermarket Hardware?
If your fleet uses aftermarket tracking hardware, adding vehicles is largely automatic. Once a technician installs the device and it connects to the network, the vehicle appears in your Verizon Connect account without any extra steps on your part.
That said, a few actions still help keep your fleet organized after the vehicle appears:
- Confirm the vehicle shows up under the correct fleet or team.
- Assign the vehicle to a driver so routes and reports link properly.
- Set the vehicle’s base marker, or home location, for accurate reporting.
- Review the install type to confirm it matches the physical hardware.
What Should You Do If the Vehicle Does Not Appear?
Occasionally, a newly installed vehicle takes time to sync. If it still does not appear after a reasonable wait, check the device’s power connection and signal strength first. Afterward, if the issue persists, contact Verizon Connect support or your account representative for troubleshooting, since hardware activation issues typically require backend verification.
How Do You Add an OEM Vehicle to Your Verizon Connect Account?
OEM vehicles, meaning those with manufacturer-installed telematics from brands like Ford, GM, or Volvo, require a different approach. Rather than installing new hardware, you activate a subscription that connects to the vehicle’s existing system.
To begin, follow these steps:
- Sign in to your Verizon Connect account and go to the My Account screen.
- Select the Overview tab, then click Connect Vehicles.
- On the Connect OEM Vehicles screen, click Add Vehicle.
- Enter the vehicle’s VIN, along with any manufacturer-specific details.
- Submit the order so Verizon Connect can process the subscription.
Notably, if you enter a VIN belonging to a GM vehicle, you also need to provide your GM FAN code before the order can proceed. In addition, some add-ons, such as ELD and Driver ID, are not currently compatible with OEM vehicles, so any vehicle needing those features must instead use aftermarket hardware.
How Do You Add Vehicles in Bulk Instead of One at a Time?
For fleets with many OEM vehicles, entering each one manually is inefficient. Fortunately, the Connect Vehicles screen also supports importing a list of vehicles at once. This bulk method saves significant time for larger fleets and reduces the chance of manual entry errors.
What if You Would Rather Not Handle Setup Yourself?
If you prefer a guided setup, you can contact your Verizon Connect sales representative or Customer Success Manager directly. They can add new OEM vehicles to your account on your behalf, which is often the fastest option when onboarding a large or complex fleet.
How Do You Create a Vehicle Manually in Scenarios?
Beyond live tracking, Verizon Connect also includes a route-planning tool called Scenarios, where you can build and test routes before assigning them to real drivers. Within this tool, vehicles must be created manually rather than added automatically.
To create a single vehicle:
- Open the list menu in the upper-left corner of the List panel.
- Select Vehicles to open the Vehicles list.
- Click Create Vehicle on the toolbar, or use the More button and select Create Vehicle.
- Complete the fields in the Vehicle dialog box.
- Save the vehicle once all required details are entered.
If you need to add several vehicles at once, importing a file is faster than repeating these steps manually for each one.
What Details Do You Need to Enter for Each Vehicle?
The Vehicle dialog box contains several tabs, each covering a different type of information. The table below summarizes what each tab controls.
| Tab | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Overview | Vehicle ID, name, start and end location, driving speed |
| Vehicle Specification | Vehicle type, height, weight, hazmat load type |
| Capacity | Maximum jobs and load capacity per route |
| Tags | Attributes the vehicle has, such as PTO or refrigeration |
| Requirements | Attributes a route needs before it can use this vehicle |
| Custom Properties | User-defined fields for sorting and filtering |
Since routes rely on accurate vehicle specifications, filling in these fields carefully helps the routing engine build realistic, workable schedules.
How Do You Assign a Vehicle to a Driver?
Once a vehicle exists in your account, assigning it to a driver ensures reports, routes, and shifts stay connected to the right person. This step matters because routes without a linked driver are harder to track and audit later.
To assign a preferred vehicle:
- Go to the Main section of the navigation bar and select Drivers.
- Select the driver from the list.
- Open the Shift tab.
- Choose the preferred vehicle from the available options.
- Save the changes.
Afterward, this vehicle becomes the default choice whenever routes are built for that driver, which simplifies day-to-day dispatching.
How Do You Manage Vehicles Using Nodes and the Vehicles Tab?
Larger fleets often organize vehicles into nodes, which act like folders within the account hierarchy. The Vehicles tab lets you move, activate, or deactivate vehicles across these nodes as your fleet structure changes.
Here is a quick overview of what you can do from this tab:
| Action | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Add Vehicles | Assigns existing vehicles to a specific node |
| Move | Relocates vehicles between nodes |
| Remove | Unassigns vehicles from a node |
| Toggle Active | Switches vehicles between active and inactive status |
| Set Install Type | Specifies the type of hardware installed |
Notably, inactive vehicles no longer appear on job or route assignments, and they drop off the main Vehicles list until reactivated. Therefore, toggling a vehicle to inactive is a useful way to temporarily remove it from daily operations without deleting its history.
How Do You Move Vehicles Between Nodes Quickly?
Rather than removing and re-adding vehicles one by one, you can select multiple vehicles at once and use the Move action, or simply drag and drop them into a new node. This method works well when reorganizing fleets after a merger, a new depot opening, or a seasonal restructuring.
What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid When Adding Vehicles?
Even with a clear process, a few missteps tend to slow teams down. Avoiding them helps your fleet setup stay clean from the start.
- Skipping the driver assignment step, which leaves routes disconnected from accountability.
- Forgetting to enter the GM FAN code, which stalls OEM subscription orders.
- Adding ELD or Driver ID add-ons to incompatible OEM vehicles.
- Leaving vehicles unassigned to a base marker, which weakens location-based reporting.
- Manually re-entering vehicles one by one instead of using the bulk import option.
By reviewing this list before you begin, you can reduce setup errors and get your fleet operational faster.
Conclusion
Adding vehicles correctly is the foundation of getting real value from Verizon Connect Fleet Management Software & Solutions. Whether you are working with aftermarket hardware, OEM telematics, or manually built scenario vehicles, each path follows a defined process designed to keep your fleet data accurate. Once vehicles are added, assigning drivers, organizing nodes, and reviewing vehicle details all become far easier. Taking the time to set this up properly now saves considerable troubleshooting later, and it ensures your team can rely on accurate tracking, routing, and reporting from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Vehicles with aftermarket hardware are added automatically once the device is installed and connects to the network. You do not need to enter them manually into the system.
Yes. Instead of entering vehicles one at a time, you can import a list of VINs through the Connect Vehicles screen. This is especially useful for larger fleets that need to onboard several OEM vehicles at once.
If a vehicle needs an add-on such as ELD or Driver ID that is not currently supported for OEM connections, you will need to install aftermarket hardware on that vehicle instead. This ensures the add-on functions correctly within your account.
