Device and method for monitoring a vehicle

The device (10) has a position determining unit (16) to detect changes in position of vehicle. An ultrasonic transceiver (18) transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to determine run time changes of ultrasonic waves. A control unit (22) evaluates the signals generated by position determining unit and ultrasonic transceiver to produce a reference signal which is transmitted to a monitoring station by transmission unit (26). A power source operates the position determining unit, ultrasonic transceiver, control unit and transmission unit. An independent claim is included for a monitoring system for vehicle.