While radar detectors can be a very convenient device to carry in the car with you, whether or not they are legal varies from state to state. It is important to know your state’s position on the matter before you decide to use a radar detector.
It is a fairly simple process to discover the rules, and you should understand all rules that relate to radar detectors. It is almost always illegal to carry a radar detector in a business or commercial vehicle, and it is completely illegal to use one on a U.S. military base of any kind, anywhere.
The first place to visit is your state motor vehicle website or office. They will not flag your license plate number if you ask them the question and it will in fact show responsibility on your part, because you’ve bothered to ask. You may be surprised at the number of people who do not check this information and then claim ignorance when caught.
You can also contact your local police department and they should be able to assist you with a quick yes or no answer. There may be further clarification needed on certain situations so don’t be afraid to ask for it. Police are not ignorant to the fact that people use these, and will know whether it’s legal in their jurisdiction.
If you travel regularly, then it is your responsibility to find out the rules in other states. This can be done with a simple web search or looking for the appropriate governing body online or via telephone. If you are caught out of state and hit with a fine, ignorance or living in a legal state will not protect you from guilt.
If you are discovered with a radar detector that is not legal, then you will end up receiving two fines – one for speeding if this has been recorded, and another for using the device in the first place. Even if you are not speeding, simply having a radar detector in your vehicle can be an offense so it is best to remove it or conceal it if you’re traveling interstate.
While it may be appealing to continue to use the product illegally, you must understand your rights and responsibilities. If you’re caught you may also have the radar detector confiscated, which is potentially hundreds of dollars down the drain along with the cost of the fine.
It’s also very important to learn of any nuances with the state regulations before you get pulled over. For example, in some states they operate on weight – if your vehicle exceeds a certain weight level, then radar detectors can be illegal.
Also keep in mind that laws can change. What was accurate three years ago may no longer be the case so it’s worth checking regularly for updated information. A change in law since the last time you looked into it does not mean you can be exempt from fines. Knowing if a radar detector is legal in your state or those you travel to is your responsibility and therefore worth finding out.
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