The embodiment of the invention provides a vehicle record file transmission method and a vehicle data recorder. The vehicle record file transmission method includes the following steps: the vehicle data recorder establishes transmission control protocol (TCP) connection of a ground data server through a wireless communication link, the wireless communication link being a communication link established by the vehicle data recorder in a cellular mobile communication network through a wireless communication device; the vehicle data recorder transmits vehicle record data to a ground data server through the TCP connection; and if the signal intensity of the wireless communication link is smaller than a preset intensity threshold value, the vehicle data recorder keeps the TCP connection within a preset duration. According to the embodiment, the mobile communication network that is widely popularized and has wide coverage is utilized to send the vehicle record data to the ground data server, so dependence on WIFI and other wireless local area networks can be effectively reduced.