Is it true you cannot put your gps on windshield in California?
Jun 1st, 2008 | 07:42 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2005
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Is it true you cannot put your gps on windshield in California?
I read that you cannot use your gps in CA on the windshield--is that true and is it enforced? I will be in the Orange/long Beach county areas.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jun 1st, 2008 | 10:01 AM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 26,501
Likes: 4
From the California Department of Motor Vehicles' Driver's guide:
"Do not block your view by putting signs or other objects on the front windshield or the back and side windows...."
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf
(You'll have to scan to page 51.)
Whether anyone here thinks this is enforced is useless information if you're stopped.
BTW, beginning 7/1/08, you cannot use a cell phone while driving unless it's hands-free or you're making an emergency (911) call. Also, when it's raining, you need to turn on the headlights.
"Do not block your view by putting signs or other objects on the front windshield or the back and side windows...."
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/dl600.pdf
(You'll have to scan to page 51.)
Whether anyone here thinks this is enforced is useless information if you're stopped.
BTW, beginning 7/1/08, you cannot use a cell phone while driving unless it's hands-free or you're making an emergency (911) call. Also, when it's raining, you need to turn on the headlights.
Jun 1st, 2008 | 01:05 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,889
Likes: 0
It's not just GPS. Except for a small portion of the lower windshield on both sides, it is unlawful to obstruct the driver's view through the windshield with anything. That includes dangling ornaments from the mirror mount, handicapped parking placards, writing or signs mounted on the windshield, etc.
As someone else pointed out, the opinion of Fodor's posters on whether those laws are enforced will be scant comfort when you are stopped by an officer for that violation and, while I was working, I made many stops for obstructed windshields.
As someone else pointed out, the opinion of Fodor's posters on whether those laws are enforced will be scant comfort when you are stopped by an officer for that violation and, while I was working, I made many stops for obstructed windshields.
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Jun 1st, 2008 | 02:03 PM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,125
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I wish the CHP would do more ticketing of people with things hanging from their mirrors - especially crystals, etc. They reflect the sun and drive me nuts so I wonder how the driver can stand having them hanging there. I just had a friend stopped because her Mother (a paseenger in her car) was not wearing a seat belt. She was happy to see her Mom get a ticket as she can never get her to wear a seat belt and it is a constant battle. Of course her Mom didn't think it was fair to ticket an old lady.
Jun 1st, 2008 | 03:11 PM
#10
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 106
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I didn't know this about the GPS. I live in southern CA and over memorial week I drove to Northern CA and back with the GPS suctioned to my windshield. I passed a ton of cops looking for the non seatbelters. I only got a parking ticket on my trip.
Elaine
Elaine
Jun 2nd, 2008 | 06:39 AM
#15
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 911
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the biggest problem now at least in sacramento from what i hear on the news is that people see the suction mark and break in the car to steal the GPS so the CHP said to avoid that system on the news this morning but never said it was illegal. glad ours is in the car
Jun 2nd, 2008 | 06:42 AM
#16
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,999
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We use the "beanbag" mount too and it works well. One problem with the suction cup other than the possible legal one is that the suction cup often leaves a telltale ring on the windshield that thieves look for as an indication that there may be a valuable GPS inside.
