Radar Detector Illegal States: Where Use Is Restricted

Virginia prohibits operating a vehicle on its highways when equipped with a radar or laser speed-measurement detector. Washington, DC is a district rather than a state and also restricts radar detectors in automobiles; confirm current local rules before travel.

No. The rules vary by jurisdiction and vehicle type. Virginia and Washington, DC have notable restrictions, while federal regulations separately prohibit detectors in commercial motor vehicles.

Federal motor-carrier regulations prohibit a driver from using a radar detector in a commercial motor vehicle or operating one that contains a detector. Check whether your vehicle falls within the regulation's definition.

A navigation app that reports cameras or police sightings is different technology from a receiver that detects police radar, but phone-use and alert rules can vary. Consult the applicable local law and use the app without handling it while driving.