Radar Detector Legal Information
Radar detectors are completely legal to use in non-commercial vehicles in 49 states. Virginia and Washington DC are the only places in the United States that currently ban radar detectors. Radar detectors are illegal in most Canadian provinces. Radar detectors are also illegal on military bases.
Radar and laser jammers are illegal in Minnesota, Virginia, Utah, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and California.
Radar detector use in commercial vehicles has been prohibited in the U.S. since 1995. Because laws and regulations tend to change, you should verify the legality of radar detectors in your state prior to purchasing one.
Note: Radar detectors are prohibited in all commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds. The following are the official regulations for commercial motor vehicles.
TITLE 49–TRANSPORTATION
CHAPTER III–FMCSA, DOT
PART 392–DRIVING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES
Subpart G–Prohibited Practices
Sec. 392.71 Radar detectors; use and/or possession.
(a) No driver shall use a radar detector in a commercial motor vehicle,
or operate a commercial motor vehicle that is equipped with or contains
any radar detector.
(b) No motor carrier shall require or permit a driver to violate paragraph
(a) of this section. [58 FR 67375, Dec. 21, 1993]
CHAPTER III–FMCSA, DOT
PART 392–DRIVING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES
Subpart G–Prohibited Practices
Sec. 392.71 Radar detectors; use and/or possession.
(a) No driver shall use a radar detector in a commercial motor vehicle,
or operate a commercial motor vehicle that is equipped with or contains
any radar detector.
(b) No motor carrier shall require or permit a driver to violate paragraph
(a) of this section. [58 FR 67375, Dec. 21, 1993]
