Restrictions on Portable GPS Use in the UK
 

We will be renting a car in York next year and am bringing along my own portable GPS unit. I can either mount it on the windshield (screen) or use a beanbag mount which sits on the dashboard.

I know there are places in which the use of windshield mounts is prohibited and I wanted clarification on this issue for driving in the UK.

Thanks very much.

Hi Du,

Last Fall we visited the UK for about 3 weeks.

My GPS was attached to the windshield.

No problems.

((I))
Well there was one. The GPS told me to go left, when I should have gone right.

We ended up at Prince Charles's back door.

Fortunately, one of the guards was taking a tea break and recognized us on the video.

The 8 squads of security guards were told to stand down while he shepherded us out.

PS,

We visited Scotland, Wales and England.

Ira, the fact that you didn't have any problems does not answer my question nor does it mean there are no prohibitions but thanks for the information anyway.

I am glad you had a nice visit.

There aren't any laws against GPS use, there are laws against obscuring the windscreen. So watch where you put the mount - the most convenient place may not be the safest place

"...there are laws against obscuring the windscreen. So watch where you put the mount..."

Exactly, Dotheboyshall, and thank you very much for your informative reply which answers my question as to which mount I should bring along.

Unless you attach the suction right in front of the driver's vision, you should be fine.
No restrictions on GPS use (in France, your GPS mustn't show location of speed and other traffic cameras, or you'll be heavily fined and may get your GPS and car impounded).
Use of hand-held mobile (cell) phone by the driver is banned everywhere in Europe.

Thank you, Alec. Use of handheld cellphones while driving is banned in any vehicle I am driving in.

The rule in the UK is that area of the windscreen swept by the wipers must be clear and unobstructed.
However unless you place the GPS slap bang in the middle of the screen you are unlikely to run into trouble.
Note that the tell tale ring left on the screen by the suction cap can invite thieves to have a go at your car, since many people remove the GPS and holder, only to leave them in the car.

The UK gov site I have looked at does not say it outright bans the "use" of handheld devices. The key point is how the device is "used."
https://www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phon...riving-the-law

Regarding window shield question, one way to avoid the positioning part of the question is to place the unit out of the window shield area, for example, using a vent mount like this: http://www.amazon.com/Kenu-Airframe-.../dp/B00LU5LWQK It is also less bulky than window mount units.

Hetismij2 and Greg, thank you for your replies.

Greg, that mount won't work for my device which is a Garmin unit as opposed to using my cellphone but appreciate that information.

As to that tell-tale suction cup marker, yes I understand and that is why in the past I have tended to take along the beanbag mount since it "leaves no trace" and is easier to remove and store.

Ordinarily I would rent (hire) a car which comes with a GPS, either built-in or portable so in the past couple of trips I have not had to bring a unit with me.

However, I am renting through AutoEurope this time and Hertz is the agency they use in York (as opposed to Europcar) and Hertz does not have GPS units for rent in York or cars with them built in apparently.

Once AGAIN I appreciate everyone's taking the time to reply.

I missed you having a beanbag. Maybe that is the way to go. As you say, easy to remove and no tell tell mark.

They don't actually rob people's cars in the UK do they???? LOL

Only in Liverpool. (Takes cover)

You're getting some confused advice here.

It's not permissible for police to stop a car to check it's constructed or designed properly - or whether its driver is breaking a law - without good cause. Having a black driver, or a policeman's hunch, do not constitute good cause (though, in practice, then former is often accepted as a good reason)

So more or less the only circumstances in which an improperly positioned - or used -SatNav will attract the law's attention are:
- as an aggravating factor in an accident or real breach of the law, or
- if the car is due the annual roadworthiness test required for all cars over 3 years old.

Both the law and police canteen culture strongly oppose random car checks by police to boost capture rates. Parking a car with a SatNav visible in the wiper-sweeping area is not, of itself, an offence - though it might provoke a (gentle or officious) warning from an officer with nothing better to do with his time. Who, in turn, is likely to be made to feel a real pillock by his colleagues.

I think at this point I will concentrate my attention of figuring out where in the moors and dales countryside I might want to drive. The term "good cause" is simply too vague to waste any time debating over.

York,think the various abbey ruins around (Fountains is the biggest but there are others) the steam railway to the north, Ripon Cathedral is close to Fountains.

If you dig out Morgana's name she covers the area well

I attach my GPS at the bottom of the windscreen bang in the middle so that both I and DH can see it, whichever of us is driving/navigating. no-one has ever shown any interest in it whatsoever, and it has never occurred to me that they would.

Dukey - i think that you can sleep easy that where you put your GPS is not going to be the biggest problem you have when driving in the UK.

I am sure that fluffy dice and hanging air fresheners obscure the driver's view more often than GPS devices do.