Introduction
Owning a radar detector is generally considered legal in all states across the United States, with the exception of Mississippi and Virginia. Radar detectors are used to detect police radar and laser guns, helping drivers know when they are being monitored for speed. While their use is legal in most states, it’s important to note that using a radar detector for commercial motor vehicles is prohibited by federal law. In addition, many states have laws prohibiting the use of detectors when traveling through school zones or construction zones. Mississippi and Virginia are the only two states where owning or operating a radar detector is illegal regardless of vehicle type or location. In these two states, offenders can be charged with a misdemeanor offense and face fines up to $200 if caught using one.
| State | Radar Detector Legal Status |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | Illegal |
| Mississippi | Illegal |
| Virginia | Illegal |
| Alabama | Legal |
| Alaska | Legal |
| Arizona | Legal |
| Arkansas | Legal |
| California | Legal |
| Colorado | Legal |
| Connecticut | Legal |
| Delaware | Legal |
| Florida | Legal |
| Georgia | Legal |
| Hawaii | Legal |
| Idaho | Legal |
| Illinois | Legal |
| Indiana | Legal |
| Iowa | Legal |
| Kansas | Legal |
| Kentucky | Legal |
| Louisiana | Legal |
| Maine | Legal |
| Maryland | Legal |
| Massachusetts | Legal |
| Michigan | Legal |
| Minnesota | Legal |
| Missouri | Legal |
| Montana | Legal |
| Nebraska | Legal |
| Nevada | Legal |
| New Hampshire | Legal |
| New Jersey | Legal |
| New Mexico | Legal |
| New York | Legal |
| North Carolina | Legal |
| North Dakota | Legal |
| Ohio | Legal |
| Oklahoma | Legal |
| Oregon | Legal |
| Pennsylvania | Legal |
| Rhode Island | Legal |
| South Carolina | Legal |
| South Dakota | Legal |
| Tennessee | Legal |
| Texas | Legal |
| Utah | Legal |
| Vermont | Legal |
| Washington | Legal |
| West Virginia | Legal |
| Wisconsin | Legal |
| Wyoming | Legal |
Radar Detector Legal Status by State
Alabama
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Alaska
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Arizona
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Arkansas
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
California
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Colorado
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Connecticut
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Delaware
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
District of Columbia
Radar Detector Legal Status
Illegal
Florida
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Georgia
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Hawaii
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Idaho
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Illinois
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Indiana
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Iowa
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Kansas
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Kentucky
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Louisiana
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Maine
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Maryland
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Massachusetts
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Michigan
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Minnesota
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Mississippi
Radar Detector Legal Status
Illegal
Missouri
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Montana
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Nebraska
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Nevada
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
New Hampshire
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
New Jersey
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
New Mexico
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
New York
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
North Carolina
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
North Dakota
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Ohio
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Oklahoma
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Oregon
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Pennsylvania
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Rhode Island
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
South Carolina
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
South Dakota
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Tennessee
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Texas
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Utah
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Vermont
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Virginia
Radar Detector Legal Status
Illegal
Washington
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
West Virginia
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Wisconsin
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal
Wyoming
Radar Detector Legal Status
Legal