Ontario law
Ontario prohibits driving a motor vehicle equipped with a radar detector. The Highway Traffic Act also sets out seizure and penalty provisions.
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Guide
Is a Radar Detector Legal in Ontario? What the Law Says
No. Ontario prohibits driving a vehicle equipped with a radar detector. Check the law before a trip.
Keep prohibited hardware out of the vehicle
If a route enters Ontario, remove the detector before reaching the province. A portable or switched-off unit does not alter the rule.
The rule changes elsewhere
British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan generally permit detectors, with commercial vehicles restricted in Saskatchewan. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, the territories and other provinces prohibit them.
Apps are a separate category
Navigation apps can show reports or camera locations but do not receive radar signals. App alerts do not change Ontario law for a physical detector.
Read the current statute
Consult the latest Highway Traffic Act and obtain legal advice for a specific case. This summary is general information.
Common questions
Questions before you buy
Can I own a radar detector in Ontario?
Ontario prohibits driving with a vehicle equipped with a radar detector. The statute also addresses possession in a vehicle and seizure.
Can police seize a radar detector in Ontario?
The Highway Traffic Act provides for seizure where an officer has reasonable grounds to believe an offence occurred.
Are radar detectors legal in Alberta?
They are generally permitted in Alberta private vehicles, but laws change at the provincial border.
Can a phone app be used instead?
Navigation and crowd-sourced alert apps are not radar receivers. Use a phone lawfully and obey posted limits.
Sources and how we chose
- Ontario Highway Traffic Act · 2026-10-15
- Manitoba Highway Traffic Act · 2026-10-15
- Nova Scotia radar-warning regulations · 2026-10-15
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