Dashlore

Radar detector laws by state

Radar detectors are legal in passenger vehicles everywhere in the US except District of Columbia and Virginia. They're banned in every commercial vehicle over 10,000 lbs under federal rules, and several states limit windshield mounting. Every row links to the statute or official source.

All 50 states and D.C.

StatePassenger vehiclesCommercial (10,001+ lbs)Details
AlabamalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Ala. Code § 32-5-215 bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the windshield that obstruct the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
AlaskalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but 13 AAC 04.225(b) bars nontransparent material on the windshield that obstructs or impairs the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
ArizonalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but A.R.S. § 28-959.01 bars objects on the windshield that obstruct the driver's view except in a 7-inch square in the lower passenger-side corner or a 5-inch square in the lower driver-side corner, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
ArkansaslegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Ark. Code § 27-37-304 bars material on the windshield more than 4.5 inches above its bottom that obstructs the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
CalifornialegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but California Vehicle Code § 26708 bars objects on the windshield except in limited areas such as a 7-inch square in the lower passenger-side corner and a 5-inch square in the lower driver-side corner, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
ColoradolegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but C.R.S. § 42-4-201 requires the driver's vision through required glass to be normal and unobstructed, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
ConnecticutlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-99f(c) bars any device attached or hung in a vehicle so as to interfere with the driver's unobstructed view of the highway, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
DelawarelegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but 21 Del. C. § 4309 bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the windshield other than legally required papers, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
District of Columbiaillegalillegal18 DCMR § 736 bans selling radar detectors in the District and using or possessing one in an automobile there, with an exemption only for U.S. Armed Forces vehicles. Source
FloridalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Fla. Stat. § 316.2952 bars any product attached to or located on the windshield except listed items such as GPS devices and toll transponders (radar detectors are not listed), and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
GeorgialegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles; O.C.G.A. § 40-8-73 bars nontransparent material on the windshield that obstructs the view but allows a wireless telecommunications or stand-alone electronic device to be mounted there so as to minimize obstruction, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
HawaiilegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but HRS § 291-21.5 limits signs, stickers and other materials on the windshield to a 7-inch square in the lower corner farthest from the driver or a 5-inch square in the corner nearest the driver, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
IdaholegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Idaho Code § 49-943(1) bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the windshield that obstruct the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
IllinoislegalillegalRadar detectors are legal in passenger vehicles, but 625 ILCS 5/12-714 bans them in commercial motor vehicles unless switched off and locked in an opaque container or kept outside the passenger compartment, and 625 ILCS 5/12-503(c-5) bars objects placed between the driver and windshield that materially obstruct the driver's view. Source
IndianalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Ind. Code § 9-19-19-3 bars nontransparent material on the windshield that obstructs the view except items up to 4 inches square in the lower corner farthest from the driver, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
IowalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Iowa Code § 321.438(1) prohibits driving with a windshield that does not permit clear vision, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
KansaslegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but K.S.A. § 8-1741(a) bars nontransparent material on the windshield that substantially obstructs the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
KentuckylegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but KRS § 189.110(2) bars any sign, product or covering attached to or placed on the windshield other than required papers and a top-strip sunscreen, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
LouisianalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but La. R.S. § 32:361.1 bars any object or material placed on or affixed to the front windshield that obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MainelegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but 29-A M.R.S. § 2082 bars signs, opaque material and objects placed or hung in a vehicle that obstruct the driver's view through the windshield, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MarylandlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Md. Transportation Code § 21-1104(c)-(d) bars objects that obstruct the driver's clear view through the windshield and limits nontransparent material on it to high-windshield or small lower-corner areas, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MassachusettslegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but M.G.L. c. 90, § 9D bars signs, posters or stickers on the front windshield that obstruct, impede or distort the driver's vision, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MichiganlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but MCL § 257.709(1) bars nontransparent material on the front windshield and any object that obstructs the driver's vision, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MinnesotalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Minn. Stat. § 169.71, subd. 1 bars objects suspended between the driver and windshield except listed items such as GPS units mounted near the bottom of the windshield (radar detectors are not listed), and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MississippilegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Miss. Code § 63-7-59 bars signs or posters on the windshield other than legally required or authorized papers, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MissourilegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, and Mo. Rev. Stat. § 307.173 permits labels, stickers and signs on the windshield as long as they do not interfere with the driver's normal view of the road; commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
MontanalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but MCA § 61-9-405(2) bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the windshield that obstruct the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
NebraskalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,256 bars objects placed or hung in a vehicle that significantly obstruct the driver's view through the windshield (enforced only as a secondary offense), and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
NevadalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but NRS § 484D.435 bars nontransparent material on the windshield that obstructs the view except within a 6-inch square in the lower corner farthest from the driver, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
New HampshirelegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but RSA § 265:95 bars signs, stickers or other opaque material on or beside the windshield that obstruct the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
New JerseylegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but N.J.S.A. § 39:3-74 bars signs, stickers or other non-transparent material on the front windshield other than required items, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
New MexicolegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but NMSA § 66-3-846(A) bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the front windshield, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
New YorklegalillegalRadar detectors are legal in passenger vehicles, but VTL § 397-a bans them in vehicles over 18,000 lbs GVWR and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs, and VTL § 375(30) bars objects placed or hung in a vehicle that obstruct the driver's view through the windshield. Source
North CarolinalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-127 regulates windshield wipers and tint rather than mounted objects; commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
North DakotalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but N.D.C.C. § 39-21-39 bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the windshield that obstruct the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
OhiolegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles; Ohio Rev. Code § 4513.24 bars nontransparent material on the windshield but allows electronic devices such as navigation units and cameras to be mounted there if they do not block the driver's view of signs and signals, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
OklahomalegalillegalRadar detectors are legal in passenger vehicles, but 47 O.S. § 11-808.1 bans possessing, using or installing them in commercial motor vehicles, and 47 O.S. § 12-404 bars material or suspended objects that materially obstruct the driver's view through the windshield. Source
OregonlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but ORS § 815.220 bars any material on the front windshield that prevents or impairs seeing into or out of the vehicle, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
PennsylvanialegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but 75 Pa.C.S. § 4524(c) bars objects hung, placed or attached so as to materially obstruct the driver's vision through the front windshield, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
Rhode IslandlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-16 bars signs, posters or other opaque items on the windshield that obstruct the view of the road, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
South CarolinalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but S.C. Code § 56-5-5000 bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the front windshield that obstruct the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
South DakotalegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but SDCL § 32-15-5 bars nontransparent material on the windshield that obstructs the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
TennesseelegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, and Tenn. Code § 55-9-107 limits material that reduces windshield light transmittance below 70% rather than mounted objects; commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
TexaslegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Tex. Transp. Code § 547.613 makes it a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle with an object or material attached to the windshield that obstructs or reduces the operator's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
UtahlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Utah Code § 41-6a-1635 bars devices mounted so as to significantly obstruct the driver's view and limits nontransparent windshield material to the top 4 inches or a 3-by-4-inch lower-left corner area, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
VermontlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but 23 V.S.A. § 1125 bars items adhered to or hung behind the windshield except in small lower-right (4 by 12 inches) and upper-left (2 by 2.5 inches) areas or toll transponders behind the mirror, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
VirginiaillegalillegalVa. Code § 46.2-1079 prohibits operating a vehicle equipped with, using, or selling any device that detects or interferes with police radar or laser speed measurement, except a device with no power source that is not readily accessible to the driver or passengers. Source
WashingtonlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but RCW § 46.37.410(2) bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the front windshield that obstruct the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
West VirginialegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but W. Va. Code § 17C-15-36(a) bars signs, posters or other nontransparent material on the windshield that obstruct the driver's view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
WisconsinlegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Wis. Stat. § 346.88(3) bars nontransparent material on the front windshield other than government stickers and any object placed or hung that obstructs the driver's clear view through it, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source
WyominglegalillegalNo state law restricts radar detectors in passenger vehicles, but Wyo. Stat. § 31-5-955(a) bars any sign, poster or other material on the windshield that materially obstructs the driver's clear view, and commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs are covered by the federal ban. Source

Frequently asked questions

Are radar detectors legal in the US?

Yes, for passenger vehicles in every state except District of Columbia and Virginia. They're illegal in all commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs nationwide under FMCSA rule 49 CFR 392.71.

Can I mount a radar detector on my windshield?

Some states, including California and Minnesota, restrict what can be attached to the windshield. Where that applies, the table notes it; a dash, visor or remote mount avoids the issue.

Are radar detectors legal on military bases?

Many military installations prohibit radar detectors regardless of state law. Check the base regulations before driving on.

Is a laser jammer the same as a radar detector?

No. Detectors passively listen for police radar and laser. Jammers actively transmit and are illegal in many more states, and radar jammers are illegal federally.

This table summarises statutes for general information and isn't legal advice. Laws change; follow the source links for the current text. Last reviewed October 2026.