diff --git a/backend/src/gps/gps.service.ts b/backend/src/gps/gps.service.ts
index d6f8bc2..e689b3e 100644
--- a/backend/src/gps/gps.service.ts
+++ b/backend/src/gps/gps.service.ts
@@ -162,8 +162,10 @@ export class GpsService implements OnModuleInit {
       throw new BadRequestException('Driver is already enrolled for GPS tracking');
     }
 
-    // Generate unique device identifier (no special characters for better compatibility)
-    const deviceIdentifier = `vipdriver${driverId.replace(/-/g, '').slice(0, 8)}`;
+    // Generate unique device identifier (lowercase alphanumeric only for compatibility)
+    const deviceIdentifier = `vipdriver${driverId.replace(/-/g, '').slice(0, 8)}`.toLowerCase();
+
+    this.logger.log(`Enrolling driver ${driver.name} with device identifier: ${deviceIdentifier}`);
 
     // Create device in Traccar
     const traccarDevice = await this.traccarClient.createDevice(
@@ -172,12 +174,16 @@ export class GpsService implements OnModuleInit {
       driver.phone || undefined,
     );
 
+    // Use the uniqueId returned by Traccar (in case it was modified)
+    const actualDeviceId = traccarDevice.uniqueId;
+    this.logger.log(`Traccar returned device with uniqueId: ${actualDeviceId}`);
+
     // Create GPS device record (consent pre-approved by HR at hiring)
     await this.prisma.gpsDevice.create({
       data: {
         driverId,
         traccarDeviceId: traccarDevice.id,
-        deviceIdentifier,
+        deviceIdentifier: actualDeviceId, // Use what Traccar actually stored
         consentGiven: true,
         consentGivenAt: new Date(),
       },
@@ -194,7 +200,7 @@ GPS Tracking Setup Instructions for ${driver.name}:
    - Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.traccar.client
 
 2. Open the app and configure:
-   - Device identifier: ${deviceIdentifier}
+   - Device identifier: ${actualDeviceId}
    - Server URL: ${serverUrl}
    - Frequency: ${settings.updateIntervalSeconds} seconds
    - Location accuracy: High
@@ -226,7 +232,7 @@ Note: GPS tracking is only active during shift hours (${settings.shiftStartHour}
 
     return {
       success: true,
-      deviceIdentifier,
+      deviceIdentifier: actualDeviceId, // Return what Traccar actually stored
       serverUrl,
       instructions,
       signalMessageSent,
diff --git a/backend/src/gps/traccar-client.service.ts b/backend/src/gps/traccar-client.service.ts
index b842dbd..119e352 100644
--- a/backend/src/gps/traccar-client.service.ts
+++ b/backend/src/gps/traccar-client.service.ts
@@ -180,13 +180,21 @@ export class TraccarClientService implements OnModuleInit {
    * Create a new device in Traccar
    */
   async createDevice(name: string, uniqueId: string, phone?: string): Promise<TraccarDevice> {
+    // Sanitize uniqueId - trim whitespace, lowercase, remove any non-alphanumeric chars
+    const sanitizedUniqueId = uniqueId.trim().toLowerCase().replace(/[^a-z0-9]/g, '');
+
+    this.logger.log(`Creating Traccar device: name="${name}", uniqueId="${sanitizedUniqueId}"`);
+
     const device = await this.request<TraccarDevice>('post', '/api/devices', {
       name,
-      uniqueId,
-      phone,
+      uniqueId: sanitizedUniqueId,
+      phone: phone || null,
       category: 'person',
+      disabled: false,  // Explicitly enable the device
     });
 
+    this.logger.log(`Traccar device created: id=${device.id}, uniqueId="${device.uniqueId}", disabled=${device.disabled}`);
+
     // Link device to all admin users so they can see it
     await this.linkDeviceToAllAdmins(device.id);