Are Radar Detectors Legal In 2021 A State By State Guide

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The short answer is yes; radar detectors are mostly legal in the United States, but there are some exceptions. As for laser jammers, the same is true. Laser jammers are widely considered legal but are subject to a few more restrictions than radar detectors, depending on the state.
This guide will briefly look at the laws for all 50 U.S. states regarding radar detectors and laser jammers. We have also included a helpful state-by-state chart for a quick reference. Let’s first start with the basics regarding the legality of radar detectors and laser jammers.  
Are Radar Detectors Legal?Using a radar detector in a privately owned vehicle is legal in every state except Virginia and Washington D.C.
However, there are some gray areas regarding the laws in Virginia and the District of Columbia. According to Virginia law, it’s okay to have a radar detector as long as it’s not accessible to the vehicle’s occupants and there is no power source. If the unit is off and in the trunk, for example, you should be in the clear. According to the Virginian-Pilot, you could face up to a $250 fine for violating the law. Police can also confiscate radar detectors on the spot if they stop you.   
If you live in either Virginia or Washington D.C., it’s best to avoid having one in your vehicle, even if you think you can conceal it from law enforcement. Paying a $250 fine for having a radar detector will negate any benefit it might have provided in helping you avoid a speeding ticket. 
Are Radar Detectors Legal In Commercial Vehicles?That’s a negative, Ghost Rider. Radar detectors are illegal in any commercial vehicle weighing over 10,000 lbs., no matter what state you live in. If you are operating an 18-wheeler for the purpose of interstate commerce, radar detectors are absolutely illegal inside the cab, even if the unit is off. The ban on radar detectors, enacted by the Federal Highway Administration in 1994, is meant to discourage such large trucks from speeding.
Are Laser Jammers Legal?There can be some confusion between radar and laser jammers. Radar jammers or scramblers are illegal in all 50 states because they interfere with the broad signal law enforcement uses to target speeding vehicles, but they can even cause problems for airplanes. Federal law (Section 333 of the Communication Act of 1934) describes radar jammers a “malicious interference” and even a first offense can result in heavy fines and jail time.
Laser jammers work by transmitting invisible light sources back to the original police laser gun (or LiDAR gun) to confuse it. These types of laser guns are much more direct and allow officers to pinpoint a single vehicle more effectively. Laser jammers “decode” the signal from the police laser, then send a return signal at the exact pulse-repetition frequency. The return signal confuses the laser gun, and as a result, the officer cannot “clock” the driver.
Since laser jammers do not cause the same disruptions to communication as radar jammers, no federal laws prohibit them. That said, several states have laws banning laser jammers, including California, Illinois, Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.
Are Radar Detectors Legal in my State?Let’s take a look at radar detection laws by state. Note that federal law prohibits using radar detectors on military bases in all 50 states.
StatePrivate VehicleComm. Vehicle
(<10k lbs)Laser JammerAlabama✓✓✓Alaska✓✓✓Arizona✓✓✓Arkansas✓✓✓California✓✓✗Colorado✓✓✗Connecticut✓✓✓Delaware✓✓✓Florida✓✓✓Georgia✓✓✓Hawaii✓✓✓Idaho✓✓✓Illinois✓✗✗Indiana✓✓✓Iowa✓✓✓Kansas✓✓✓Kentucky✓✓✓Louisiana✓✓✓Maine✓✓✓Maryland✓✓✓Massachusetts✓✓✓Michigan✓✓✓Minnesota✓✗✓Mississippi✓✓✓Missouri✓✓✓Montana✓✓✓Nebraska✓✓✗Nevada✓✓✓New Hampshire✓✓✓New Jersey✓✗✓New Mexico✓✓✓New York✓✗✓North Carolina✓✓✓North Dakota✓✓✓Ohio✓✓✓Oklahoma✓✓✗Oregon✓✓✓Pennsylvania✓✓✓Rhode Island✓✓✓South Carolina✓✓✗South Dakota✓✓✓Tennessee✓✓✗Texas✓✓✗Utah✓✓✗Vermont✓✓✓Virginia✗✗✗Washington✓✓✓Washington DC✗✗✗West Virginia✓✓✓Wisconsin✓✓✓Wyoming✓✓✓1. AlabamaUsing radar detectors is legal in private vehicles in Alabama. Laser jammers are also legal.
2. AlaskaRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Alaska.
3. ArizonaThere are no limitations for radar detectors in private vehicles in Arizona. Laser jammers are legal too.
4. ArkansasRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Arkansas.
5. CaliforniaIn California, radar detectors are legal, but the state does have a say about where they are positioned (Minnesota does too). In California, you cannot mount anything to the windshield as it may obstruct the view. If you have a radar detector in California, you must mount it on the dashboard. If you get caught with it on the windshield, you can be ticketed. Laser jammers are also illegal in the Golden State.
6. ColoradoRadar detectors are legal in Colorado, but laser jammers are illegal under state law.
7. ConnecticutRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Connecticut.
8. DelawareIn Delaware, you can legally use a radar detector or laser jammer in a private vehicle. Fun fact: a study in 2018 found that Delaware was the strictest when it came to speeding.
9. FloridaRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Florida.
10. GeorgiaIt is legal to have a radar detector or laser jammer in a private vehicle in Georgia.
11. HawaiiRadar detectors and laser jammers are permitted in The Aloha State.
12. IdahoYou can legally use a radar detector or laser jammer in Idaho.
13. IllinoisRadar detectors are legal in Illinois. Laser jammers, however, are not permitted. Likewise, radar detectors are not allowed in any commercial vehicle, even if it’s under 10,000 lbs.
14. IndianaRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Indiana.
15. IowaRadar detectors and laser jammers are both legal.
16. KansasFor that long stretch across I-70, you’re in luck. Radar detectors and laser jammers are both legal in Kansas.
17. KentuckyRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Kentucky.
18. LouisianaRadar detectors and laser jammers are both legal in the Pelican State.
19. MaineRadar detectors and laser jammers are permitted in Maine.
20. MarylandUnlike in the neighboring state of Virginia, radar detectors are legal in private vehicles in Maryland. Laser jammers are also legal in Maryland.
21. MassachusettsRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Massachusetts.
22. MichiganRadar detectors and laser jammers are both legal.
23. MinnesotaMinnesota law is similar to California. You can have a radar detector, but it cannot be mounted to the windshield. If you live in Minnesota, secure it to the dashboard instead to avoid getting a ticket. Keep in mind that laser jammers are illegal under state law and radar detectors are not allowed in a commercial vehicle, even if it’s under 10,000 lbs.
24. MississippiRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Mississippi.
25. MissouriIn Missouri, radar detectors and laser jammers are legal.
26. MontanaRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Montana.
27. NebraskaRadar detectors are legal in Nebraska. Laser jammers are illegal, as are all references to the Colorado Buffaloes (which didn’t change even though the Huskers are in the Ben Ten now).
28. NevadaRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Nevada.
29. New HampshireNew Hampshire permits radar detectors and laser jammers in private vehicles.
30. New JerseyRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in New Jersey. However, radar detectors are not allowed in commercial vehicles in The Garden State, even if they are under 10,000 lbs.
31. New MexicoIn New Mexico, it is okay to have a radar detector or laser jammer in a private vehicle.
32. New YorkBoth radar detectors and laser jammers are legal in New York. However, radar detectors are not allowed in commercial vehicles even if they are under 10,000 lbs.
33. North CarolinaRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in the Tar Heel State.
34. North DakotaNorth Dakota allows the use of radar detectors and laser jammers.
35. OhioRadar detectors and laser jammers are both legal.
36. OklahomaOklahoma permits the use of radar detectors and laser jammers in private vehicles.
37. OregonRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Oregon.
38. PennsylvaniaIn the Keystone State, it’s okay to use either a radar detector or laser jammer.
39. Rhode IslandRadar detectors and laser jammers are allowed in Rhode Island.
40. South CarolinaRadar detectors are legal in South Carolina, but laser jammers are illegal.
41. South DakotaSouth Dakota state law permits the use of radar detectors and laser jammers.
42. TennesseeRadar detectors are legal in Tennessee, but not laser jammers.
43. TexasTexas allows radar detectors in private vehicles, but laser jammers are not permitted.
44. UtahRadar detectors are legal in Utah, although laser jammers are not.
45. VermontIn Vermont, radar detectors and laser jammers are legal.
46. VirginiaRadar detectors and laser jammers are illegal in Virginia no matter what you drive.
47. WashingtonThe State of Washington allows radar detectors and laser jammers in private vehicles.
48. West VirginiaRadar detectors and laser jammers are both legal.
49. WisconsinRadar detectors and laser jammers are permitted in The Badger State.
50. WyomingRadar detectors and laser jammers are legal in Wyoming.     
51. Washington D.C.Radar detectors and laser jammers are illegal in the District of Columbia.
Summary & RecommendationsIn most states, it’s legal to have a radar detector or laser jammer in your car, except for Virginia and Washington D.C. Note that federal law prohibits using a radar detector in an 18-wheeler or on any military base.
Radar detectors can help you avoid a speeding ticket, but you don’t have to spend a lot to get a nice, reliable unit. Check out our list of the best radar detectors under $200, or our review of the budget-friendly Escort MAX 3.
Original article: Are Radar Detectors Legal in 2021? A State-by-State Guide


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