Best Driver ID Keypad for UK Fleets: PIN, RFID, iButton or BLE?

Adding driver identification to your fleet is one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make: it ties every trip, harsh-driving event and behaviour report to a named driver instead of just a vehicle. But which type of keypad should you fit? Here's a straight comparison of the four main driver ID methods — PIN, RFID, iButton and BLE — and how to choose the right one for your fleet.

The short answer

For most UK fleets, an RFID card or fob reader is the sweet spot — fast, familiar and easy to issue or revoke. Choose a PIN keypad for the lowest cost and nothing for drivers to carry, an iButton for rugged, no-nonsense reliability, and BLE if you want hands-free, automatic identification. All four work with Teltonika and Queclink trackers and are in UK stock.

What a driver ID keypad actually does

A driver ID device makes each driver identify themselves as they start driving. The tracker then tags all the telematics data — trips, harsh events, idling, geofences — to that driver. This is what turns vehicle tracking into driver accountability, and it's often needed for duty-of-care, pay-per-use billing, or any fleet where vehicles are shared between drivers.

PIN keypads

The simplest option: the driver enters a code to log in on a PIN keypad. Cheap, robust, and there are no tags or cards to manage.

• Lowest cost, with nothing for drivers to carry or lose

• Works for any driver, including temps and agency staff, with a code

• Clear audible and visual login confirmation

• Downside: codes can be shared, and it relies on the driver entering one

• Best for: pool cars, shared vehicles and low-cost rollouts

RFID cards & fobs

The driver taps an RFID card or fob on the reader — just like a building access card. A strong all-round balance of security and convenience.

• Fast tap-to-login that drivers already understand

• Easy to issue, and you can instantly revoke a lost card

• Good balance of security and everyday convenience

• Downside: cards can be lost or shared, and there's a small per-card cost

• Best for: most fleets, especially those already using access cards

iButton

An iButton is a rugged contact key that the driver touches to a reader. Simple, cheap and extremely durable.

• Very reliable and tamper-resistant

• Low-cost keys, with a simple and hard-wearing design

• Excellent in harsh, dirty environments

• Downside: requires physical contact, and keys can be shared or lost

• Best for: rugged field, plant and construction fleets

BLE tags

A BLE-enabled keypad or Bluetooth tag identifies the driver automatically as they get in — no manual step at all.

• Hands-free, automatic identification

• Modern, and can integrate with phone apps

• Nothing for the driver to remember to do

• Downside: a battery to maintain, and setup should ensure a tag left in the cab doesn't keep the driver logged in

• Best for: modern fleets wanting frictionless, automatic driver ID

Compare at a glance

• Cost — PIN: lowest; iButton: low; RFID: low–medium; BLE: medium

• Driver convenience — BLE: highest (automatic); RFID: high; iButton: medium; PIN: manual

• Security — RFID and BLE: strong; iButton: good; PIN: code-based and shareable

• Durability — iButton: excellent; PIN, RFID and BLE: good

• Best for — PIN: shared/pool; RFID: most fleets; iButton: rugged; BLE: hands-free

Which should you choose?

• Lowest cost, shared vehicles → PIN keypad

• Most fleets — familiar and easy to manage → RFID

• Rugged, plant and construction → iButton

• Hands-free, modern fleets → BLE

Browse the driver ID range

We stock all of these in the UK. Browse our driver ID keypads (PIN, BLE and NFC), RFID readers, iButton readers and NFC readers — or tell us your fleet and we'll recommend the right one.

The specific models we stock

The GC-2673 IP68 keypad and NFC reader combines a PIN keypad with a built-in 13.56 MHz NFC reader, so a driver can either enter a PIN or tap a card — two login methods in one unit, which also solves the lost-card problem. The STL-1307 heavy-duty IP68 keypad is a rugged wired PIN unit using the 1-Wire (iButton) protocol, built for harsh environments. The NN-21382 BLE keypad pairs wirelessly with Bluetooth-enabled trackers, so there is no data wiring to run through the dashboard. Alongside these we stock IP65 wired, compact 5-digit PIN and 10-digit high-security models.

The keypad has to match how your tracker communicates. Wired keypads like the STL-1307 connect over 1-Wire/iButton to trackers such as the Teltonika FMB225 and FMB204, while BLE keypads like the NN-21382 pair with Bluetooth-enabled units such as the Teltonika FMT100. If you are unsure which keypad works with your tracker, ask us before you order and we will confirm compatibility.

They work with Teltonika and Queclink

Whichever method you pick, our driver ID keypads work with both Teltonika and Queclink trackers, so you're not locked into one brand. If you're also choosing a tracker, see our Teltonika vs Queclink guide, or explore our Teltonika and Queclink ranges.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a special tracker for driver ID?

No — driver ID keypads connect to standard Teltonika and Queclink trackers via their digital / 1-Wire inputs. We'll confirm compatibility for your exact model.

Can I mix methods across my fleet?

Yes. You can run RFID on some vehicles and PIN or iButton on others, all reporting into the same platform.

Will it work with my tracking platform?

Yes — driver ID is reported by the tracker itself, so it works with any platform that supports your device.

Do you stock these in the UK?

Yes, with UK-based stock and worldwide shipping.

Talk to us

Not sure which driver ID method fits your fleet? Tell us your vehicles and how your drivers work, and we'll recommend the right driver ID keypad and quote you a trade price. Get in touch.