States where GPS is illegal

California has restrictions where it can be placed on the windshield, not sure of the rest. Does your device have hands-free, as in a speaker phone?

Check this thread for Cali-for-ni-eh!

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/3552

another link
http://www.gpsreview.net/windshield-gps-installations-illega...
but this is 2008 (I think)

the Calif link above seems to say it is really OK

The following thread on this site has some good information. Do a search and you can find alot of information about it.

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/28463

I have driven in California and see many drivers mount their GPS on the windshield. How strictly is this enforced in CA? I always use the Garmin bean bag mount.

Me to, but as stated above, it's not illegal to have the GPS on the windshield in California. The CA law simply regulates where the unit can be placed on the windshield. Lower left and right corners are OK.

I suspect ,like in many other places, the police don't go out looking for illegal placement of GPS units. If your stopped for other things like speeding, improper lane changes, etc. then the GPS issues could get added to the other problems you now face.

Yes...I agree and was going to say that but you beat me to the punch.

In California the suction cup window mount is supposed to be in the lower left or right 7x7" area of the windshield. So if you get a mount at Target with a longer flexible part and can stick it there, it's legal in California.

Ridiculous. Like the length of the stem makes any difference at all.

I discussed this issue with several California cops. Without exception their statement was "You're not gonna get a citation for that" And sure enough, I have had a GPS in the lower left (and not within the 7x7" area) for literally years and no one has said a word about it. They are not going to either.

You are supposed to use a headset in California if you are driving. That said I am often at 4 way stops and all the other drivers are on a handheld phone.

Also ridiculous.

thanks

What Steevo said is ture an on the money an this is true for most states. But CA just rased the fines for useing a phone with out a Bluetooth an they do hand them out. A friend of mine just got one. Not to say useing a cell phone with out a Bluetooth both dome and will get u killed. Last mouth I was in TN in I-40w a red jeep lost control and crashed. I stoped with a State Trooper we found the 19 year old girl 60ft from the Jeep dead with a broken nake. They found that she was on the cell phone and lost control.
jolleyr

I was stopped on Hwy 99 just north of Modesto, while heading up to Stockton. The trooper said he stopped me because I had a radar detector mounted on the windshield in violation of state law. I told him it was a GPS, and it is primarily used to guide me to RV parks. He said anything mounted on the windshield is illegal, and it is dangerous because it creates blind spots.

He kindly told me that since it was a GPS, he would not issue a ticket if I would remove it before moving. So, I did. Then I stopped at a Wal-Mart and bought a dash mount so I could re-install the Garmin. Personally, I think the dash mount, which is legal, creates more of a blind spot than the windshield mount did. But, the Garmin is easier to reach.

I also feel the dash mount is more restrictive in creating blind spots.When my company had tracking devices and GPS units installed in our vehicles they told the installers they had to go in the center of the dash and mounted on the dash. I convinced the installer to leave the cable long so I could move it to the lower right. The installer agreed, but also stated that it was more of a blind spot in the middle.

I live in Southern California. California does allow you to mount your GPS in the lower left side of your windshield. This law has been in effect for at least 3 years now. I have mounted my gps there the last three years and have never been stopped for it being mounted on the windsheild.

See how ridiculous that is? In 48 states it doesn't create a blind spot and isn't dangerous at all.

However, once you pass the border of California and Michigan, I think, it becomes a hazard.

So it's only dangerous in those two states. It must be the way the Coriolis effect works at those particular latitude/longitude. Or maybe caused by the mind trap of duality. Yeah, that's it.

Har Har. So insane.

The same law also applies to anything on the dashboard as well, unless your GPS is located on the lower left corner, lower far right corner (passenger side) or in the center ABOVE rear view mirror.

Of course, 90% of the time, no one will care. But if you are traveling through cash strapping city or passing by a cop having a bad day, you are basically handing over a probable cause to be stopped.

BTW, radar detector is totally legal in California. You juts have to watch out where you mount it.

A radar detector isn't really needed when driving a truck pulling a 32' 5th wheeler, anyway. But, this cop seemed to have a particular dislike for them -- apparently thought they were costing him too much in possible tickets.

A GPS, on the other hand, comes in very handy when travelling the country from coast to coast....

Your cell phone calls have to be hands free in California. First time offenders will get a ticket for $20 and $50 for the second. That includes texting. If you touch the phone while driving, you're subject to a fine if they stop you.

Good Luck - Have a nice trip!

Next time you have a chance take a peek in a squad car and see the distraction the police have in their cars. Camera's, computers, radar guns, 2 way radio, automatic number plate recognition equipment, etc. And a lot of times they're driving way over the speed limit. Hypocrites!

But, they're 'trained'... lmao!

N/T

Had the flip tray Garmin 750 in my old one but tray was too small for the new truck. Well I bought a 1450LMT and used the window mount for a few days, forget it. Looked up the new style tray for my truck and ordered it. Took about 15 minutes to install, but this tray is cool, matches the trim of my audio gear perfect and built in speakers.

When it cools off (115+ here in Tucson lately) I'll run the Traffic hook up in the console so I'll have traffic again. Been running a 765T in the trays, had traffic working in the other truck, tapped in a cig lighter socket behind the console.I think Nissan is doing away with the Frontier after 2012 run so I figured get it now, who knows what the new truck will look like.

Michigan has no such restrictions for a GPS mounted on the windshield of a car. Mine and countless thousands of other Michiganders have it mounted there as I write this with no issues at all.

You must mean Minnesota? Now they have some pretty ridiculous restrictions, but that is a whole different topic.

I don't know how they are enforced. I've seen people with GPS units and radar detectors in all different places.

I keep mine down below in a small tray, because I would be the one to get the ticket.

Yeah, the Coriolis effect is what states seeking extra revenue use to justify the resulting Cornholio effect when the trooper cites you for having it mounted in the wrong place.

- Phil

I was pulled over on the Riverside Fwy (91) by the highway patrol. I didn't have a clue why. I thought maybe it was my GPS in the lower left corner of my windshield. I am from Arizona with Arizona plates. I didn't know about the Cell Phone law in Calif. I was talking on the phone. He asked me if I knew why I was being pulled over and I said I thought it was OK to have my GPS where it was. He told me it was OK but I was talking on my cell phone. He gave me a warning because of my out-of-state plates. You can not have a cell phone up to your ear in California. I asked him if I could use earphones or my GPS for calling and he said that would be OK. This was about 6 months ago.

I thought the Coriolis effect is what happens when a bird flies in circles of ever diminishing radius at ever increasing velocity until it flys up it's own butt and disappears.

a politician stumping for votes?

Welcome to Amerika

I thought the whole rationale behind gps placement had to do with the pacific flyway and the migration of fruit flies from California to Arizona.

Everything you ever wanted to know about state cellphone laws:

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

and in Canada:

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=125157257539480&topic=...

or

http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html

Thanks for the comments re California. VERY much appreciated.

Anyone know the rules for Arizona, New Mexico and Texas - headed there next week heat and all!

(This is all part of our trip from Nova Sotia to Alaska to Southern California to Florida to home!)

There are no laws concerning the placement of the GPS in any states except California and Minnesota, to the best of my knowledge. Those are the 2 states mentioned specifically in Garmin's manuals etc.

We live half the year in Arizona (not the hot half ) and there are no specific rules there.

I pasted the relevant bits of the most recent code I found:

169.71 WINDSHIELD.
Subdivision 1.Prohibitions generally; exceptions. (a) A person shall not drive or operate any motor vehicle with:

(2) any objects suspended between the driver and the windshield, other than:

(iv) global positioning systems or navigation systems when mounted or located near the bottommost portion of the windshield; and

I have driven through Minnesota a few times with both my GPS and radar detector mounted on the windshield past a few officers, no issues on any of the trips. Best bet is to keep them low and out of the way, unlike some of the mounting locations I've seen. I have to wonder how some people can see around the GPS as it is completely in the way!

My son is CHP (California Highway Patrol). He isn't likely to write you a ticket for improper placement of your GPS unless.............

Yep, there's an "unless" there. IF you smart mouth him, act like an a$$, behave like a moron, etc. he'll write you up for everything he can find -- and you'd be surprised how many violations can be found on vehicles. He's pretty easy going but has a real problem with people who treat him like a piece of crap when he stops them.

Could have been Minnesota. I knew there was one other state where anything stuck on the windshield would be a deathtrap. I remember the M.

been there (receiving end) and I agree with your son!

So fa I must say the drivers in CA seem to be very courteous and there is a certain consistency in how they drive so it makes it easier to get along in traffic.

I have no issue with LA traffic other than volume and drivers with cell phones stuck to their brains!

Yea, seems to me people lipping off and being rude to a cop are really pushing the stupid thing.

The way I see it is,
a) You're trying to dig out, not in; and
b) They have weapons.

More Darwin Awards are coming...

I need a SunPass transponder and was looking at the Mini Sticker Transponder for $4.99 one vehicle use.

My car has the solar tint stripe and they recommend mounting 2" below the stripe and to the right or left of the rearview mirror, my concern is that we may get stopped in another state for having the obstructed view and be made to remove it rendering the sticker unusable.

Has any Floridian using the Mini Sticker Transponder gotten in trbl with the law in another state?

https://www.sunpass.com/sunPassInstallation

I live in FL and use the Mini Sticker. I have driven to GA, AL, LA, TX, SC, NC, DC, NJ, PA, NY with my car and never had any trouble in any of those states.

I have heard stories of people getting tickets for having an "Obstructed View" but not specifically for the GPS.

Maybe they had the GPS sitting on the dash right in front of the steering wheel.

Some car manufacturers provide a location for a Garmin. They have cords for an iPod. It would be great to have a standard connector so the GPS could be mounted safely, turn down the radio, and have speakerphone for the cell. I must be dreaming...

On a 2003 gmc sierra, I mpont the 1490 on the face of the dashboard next to the airbag switch.

I have not had any issues/problems in CA, AZ or NM.

How about Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida?

True, but they wear a eight point and you don't!

All is fine for BC if anyone is interested. Just don't get caught messing with it (like a cell phone) as that's considered illegal.65h

I've been waiting 2 weeks to say this !!!

NONE

The correct windscreen position for GPS units when driving
You heard it from Auto Windscreens, the big news in Auto Window Glass
Motorists have been warned that having their GPS units attached to the wrong part of their windscreens can put them in danger.
Car insurance provider SGIC ran road tests to assess the impact of GPS devices on the attention and safety of drivers.
The company found that drivers glanced at a portable GPS unit around 90 times over a 35 km route, for an average of 1.2 seconds per look.
This means that, when travelling at 60 km/h, the motorists were looking away from the road for up to 19 meters at a time.
Another finding of the study was that the safest position for a portable GPS unit is the lower right or left corner of the windscreen, as this location creates the smallest blind spot for the driver. To me the right side is not very visible if you want to read the street names or view approximate distances for upcoming turns.
Keeping your eyes on the road is essential to automotive safety. Using a windshield mount that keeps your GPS unit visible--but just below your line of sight for driving is a good idea. Dashboard mounts also allow you to keep your eye on the road while being able to quickly glance at the GPS unit for reference
By the way! How many States have now made windscreen mounts illegal?

@jamstyle: This is what I do. Mine is on the windshield but just below the line of sight. Allows me to glance down when I'm going somewhere, yet not take my eyes off the road.

If I recall, only Minnesota still declares windshield mounts illegal.

EDIT: Not anymore. As of 2009, Minnesota also allows GPS to be mounted on the windshield.

Source: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/0809nlrelease.pdf

If I recall correctly, only Minnesota and California ever had any restrictions on GPS placement. California changed their law years ago to allow placement in lower left or lower right of windshield. I never knew that Minnesota had changed their law as well. Good to know.

Cuba

Be careful in New Jersey.

A GPS mount is a "non-transparent material", thus illegal in New Jersey according to the statute (39:3-74).

You've given me something to do for a FAQ.