Radar Detector Regulations for All 50 States

Radar detectors are quite common among many drivers, especially those who drive frequently and want to take every possible step to avoid fines. Since speeding tickets cost a lot of money and often result in higher insurance rates, radar detectors are a good investment for many drivers. Because many of these devices cost less than $100, a radar detector can easily pay for itself (and then the part) if it saves you from issuing a fine. The only downside is that if you get caught speeding with a radar detector, your chances of getting off with a warning instead of a fine are negligible, as the cops usually consider a radar detector to be a sufficient warning.

Regulations for radar detectors vary from state to state (as well as country to country), so it's important to know if they're legal in the state you live in, as well as the states in which you'll be driving. When choosing and purchasing a radar detector for your car, be sure to familiarize yourself with all the laws. As is the case with all rules, restrictions and laws of the road, the rules of a radar detector are very important.

What is a radar detector?

Radar detectors are small electronic devices that can alert drivers when a police officer or traffic officer is nearby. These devices are placed inside your vehicle and detect when a radar is nearby. They will then light up or make a sound to alert the driver.

Radar detectors are not reliable because they only detect Doppler radar guns, which are just one of the many tools police and highway patrols use to determine the speed of drivers. There are several other ways to determine speed, which are sometimes used by officers, and some are simply doing an eye test. But Doppler radars are by far the most common way to determine speed, especially on freeways.

With the help of a radar detector, drivers can be alerted when a policeman is nearby and they can make sure they are driving at the speed limit before the policeman notices them.

Why are radar detectors illegal in some countries?

Although radar detectors are legal in most places, there are a few places where they are banned. The main reason for this is that some people believe that radar detectors encourage speeding and reckless or dangerous driving. These people believe that without radar detectors, drivers are much more likely to obey speed limits because they have to worry about getting a ticket if they go over the limit.

Another reason why radar detectors are banned in some places is that they can be a distraction, as drivers can spend a lot of time looking at them to see if a police or highway patrol is nearby. However, this is not a very serious concern: in places where radar detectors are prohibited, many drivers simply keep them in the glove compartment or on the center console (where the officer will not see them). Trying to use a hidden device is certainly more dangerous than trying to use a clearly visible one.

What are the radar detector regulations in each state?

The rules for using radar detectors are pretty much the same across the country, with a few exceptions.

Virginia

Radar detectors are illegal in Virginia in any type of vehicle. If you are caught with a working radar detector in your car, you will be fined even if you did not exceed the speed limit. Your device may also be confiscated.

In addition to being banned from vehicle use, radar detectors also cannot be legally sold in most parts of Virginia.

California and Minnesota

Radar detectors are legal in California and Minnesota, but cannot be mounted on the inside of a windshield. These states have laws against placing anything on the windshield (because they can interfere with the driver's view), so you can get a ticket there to install your radar detector.

Illinois, New Jersey and New York

Radar detectors are legal in Illinois, New Jersey, and New York, but only for personal vehicles. Commercial vehicles are not allowed to use radar detectors and fines will be charged for their use.

All other states

Radar detectors are fully legal in all other states, with no commercial vehicle restrictions or windshield mounting issues. This means that radar detectors are legal in 49 out of 50 states to some extent.

Additional rules of the radar detector

In addition to Virginia regulations, radar detectors are also banned in Washington, DC.

There are also federal laws prohibiting the use of radar detectors in commercial vehicles that weigh more than 10,000 pounds. No matter what condition you are in, you cannot use the radar detector if your vehicle falls into this category.

While radar detectors are the most common fine avoidance device, there are two other devices that do the same. Laser jammers prevent laser guns from detecting vehicle speed, while radar jammers emit RF signals that either hide your speed from the radar or provide false information to the radar. Radar jammers are prohibited by federal law and therefore cannot be used in any state. Their use entails a very large fine and, as a rule, confiscation. Laser jammers are legal in 41 states; they are illegal in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

While you shouldn't be using radar detectors to help you drive at unsafe speeds, they can be handy tools to help you save a lot of money on tickets and insurance premiums. So, if you live in a state other than Virginia and are thinking about getting a radar detector, you can do it completely freely. Since there are many options in a wide price range, you should first check out our guide on how to buy a high quality radar detector. And once you receive your detector, follow these instructions to set it up, run it, and save you the fines.