Methods and systems of enabling a non-interfering mode in a telematics device are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a co-presence policy from a telematics server, receiving asset data from the asset, determining a presence of a second device on the asset communications bus based on the co-presence policy, and activating a non-interfering mode of operation based on determining the presence of the second device and on the co-presence policy. The method may be used to prevent interference between a telematics device and a diagnostic tool connected to the same vehicle communications bus. Advantageously, tasks such as reading diagnostic trouble codes and firmware updates are not disrupted.