Car Security Essentials

CALIFORNIA

It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle equipped with a television receiver, a video monitor, or a television or video screen, or any other similar means of usually displaying a television broadcast if the receiver is located in the vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat. GPS navigation systems that are mountable on the windshield or the dashboard are permitted, as are systems designed to prevent the driver from viewing them. There is also an exemption for video event recorders that have the capability of monitoring driver performance, if mounted in specific locations.

COLORADO

Prohibits driving a vehicle equipped with a video display visible to the driver while the motor vehicle is in motion. Computer, data terminal, safety equipment is exempt as long as they are not used to display visual entertainment, including internet browsing, social media, and e-mail, to the driver while the motor vehicle is in motion.

CONNECTICUT

No television screen or other device of a similar nature shall be installed in any position where it may be visible to the driver or may interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle. Exempts devices used to assist the operator while backing, parking, or maneuvering at a speed of not more than 12 mph; monitoring passengers seated rearward of the operator; to enhance or supplement the operator’s view of the roadway or to assist the operator in object detection; for control, instrumentation, navigation purposes; or that are automatically disabled whenever the vehicle is in motion.

DELAWARE

No statewide restriction.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

No television equipment shall be installed in or on any motor vehicle in a location where the reception would be visible to the operator of the vehicle.

FLORIDA

No motor vehicle operated on the highways shall be equipped with television-type receiving equipment so located that the viewer or screen is visible from the Driver’s seat. A global positioning system device may be placed on a windshield if it does not hinder the driver’s line of sight.

GEORGIA

No statewide restriction.

HAWAII

No statewide restriction.

IDAHO

No statewide restriction.

ILLINOIS

It is illegal for any vehicle to be equipped with a television receiver, video monitor or video screen that is operating or located at any point visible to the driver. Exempts vehicle information displays, GPS and navigation systems, and systems that lock when the vehicle is in motion. Also exempts equipment permanently installed in the vehicle and moving entertainment images that are not visible to the driver while the vehicle is in motion.

INDIANA

A person may not own or operate a motor vehicle that has a television set installed in a manner that allows the person driving the vehicle to see the television set.

IOWA

No statewide restriction.

KANSAS

No statewide restriction.

KENTUCKY

No statewide restriction.

LOUISIANA

A person may not operate a motor vehicle that has, nor shall a retailer install, a television screen or other means of receiving a video signal where the moving images are visible to the driver when the vehicle is in motion.

MAINE

A motor vehicle may not be operated with a television viewer or screen visible to the driver, including any devices capable of showing visual content that is visible to the operator, but excluding devices installed for the effective or safe operation of a motor vehicle or content displayed on a global positioning or navigation system.

MARYLAND

A motor vehicle may not be equipped with television-type receiving equipment or video display equipment that is turned on and displaying an image visible to the driver. Vehicle navigation systems are allowed, as are satellite and broadcast radio, and displays related to the operation or safety of the vehicle.

MASSACHUSETTS

No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast which is located in the motor vehicle at any point forward of the back of the Driver’s seat or which is visible to the driver while operating such motor vehicle.

MICHIGAN

Televisions viewable by drivers are prohibited in motor vehicles. Certain accessory controls and vehicle information or navigation systems that are either built in or do not interfere with the Driver’s view or control are permitted.

MINNESOTA

It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle equipped with a television, or television-type equipment if the television or television equipment is located where the screen is visible to the driver. It is legal to use a screen visible to the driver if the screen is part of a vehicle navigational system or vehicle control system.

It is legal to have a closed circuit video system used only to help the driver’s rear or side visibility.

MISSISSIPPI

No statewide restriction.

MISSOURI

No statewide restriction.

MONTANA

No statewide restriction.

NEBRASKA

It shall be unlawful to operate upon any highway a motor vehicle which is equipped with or in which is located a television set so placed that the TV viewing screen is visible to the driver while operating such vehicle.

NEVADA

No person shall drive any motor vehicle equipped with television-type receiving equipment so located that the screen is visible from the Driver’s seat. Television-type receiving equipment may be visible to the driver if used exclusively for traffic safety, law enforcement, or navigation of the motor vehicle.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

No person shall drive a motor vehicle while viewing a broadcast television image or a visual image from an image display device when the vehicle is in motion, or with an image display device intended to be visible to the driver in a normal driving position when the vehicle is in motion and when restrained by the vehicle seat belts adjusted in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Does not apply to image display devices are disabled when in motion, devices displaying images that provide the driver with navigation and related traffic, road, and weather information; providing vehicle information, controls, or information related to the driving task; or devices used to enhance or supplement the driver’s view forward, behind, to the sides of the motor vehicle, or to monitor vehicle occupants seated rearward of the driver.

NEW JERSEY

It is unlawful to operate a vehicle that has a television set placed so that the screen is visible to the driver while operating the vehicle.

NEW MEXICO

Television screens may not be within the normal view of the driver of a motor vehicle unless the television is used solely as an aid to the driver in the operation of the vehicle.

NEW YORK

No person shall operate a motor vehicle which is equipped with a television receiving set within view of the operator or in which a television receiving set is in operation within the view of the operator. This does not apply to closed-circuit television receiving equipment exclusively for safety and maneuvering purposes.

A person other than a police or peace officer, who equips a motor vehicle with a radio receiving set capable of receiving signals on th frequencies allocated for police use or who in any way interferes with the transmission of radio messages by the police without firs securing a permit to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding months, or both.

CAROLINA

No person shall drive any motor vehicle on a public street while viewing any television, computer, or video player that is located at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or that is visible to the driver while operating the vehicle. Exempts certain navigation, safety, and informational systems.

DAKOTA

No statewide restriction.

OHIO

No statewide restriction.

OKLAHOMA

It is unlawful to install a television set in any location where it is visible from the driver’s seat.

OREGON

It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle on a highway if the vehicle is equipped with any television viewer, screen or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast if such device is located in the vehicle at any point forward of the back of the driver’s seat, or is visible to the operator while driving the motor vehicle.

PENNSYLVANIA

It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle equipped with a television, or television-type equipment if the television or television equipment is located where the screen is visible to the driver. It is legal to use electronic displays if used in conjunction with navigation systems.

RHODE ISLAND

No television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast may be located in the field of view of the driver.

SOUTH CAROLINA

A person must not drive a motor vehicle equipped with any television screen which is visible to the driver while he or she is operating the motor vehicle.

SOUTH DAKOTA

A person may not drive a motor vehicle equipped with a television screen that is located in a position where the driver of the vehicle can see it.

TENNESSEE

No television screen or other device of a similar nature shall be installed or used when in any position in a motor vehicle where it may be visible to the driver.

TEXAS

A motor vehicle may be equipped with video receiving equipment, including a television or similar equipment, only if the equipment is located so that the video display is not visible from the operator’s seat. Equipment used exclusively for receiving digital information for commercial purposes is permitted, as is a monitoring device that produces an electronic display used exclusively in conjunction with a mobile navigation system installed in the vehicle.

UTAH

A motor vehicle may not be operated on a highway if the motor vehicle is equipped with a video display located so that the display is visible to the operator of the vehicle. This does not apply to television-type receiving equipment used for safety or law enforcement purposes approved by the DMV, or motor vehicle navigation.

VERMONT

No person may operate upon a highway in this state a motor vehicle having installed or carried in the front or driving compartment or in a manner visible to the operator, a television receiver, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast or displaying any form of visual media.

VIRGINIA

No moving images on a television receiver may be visible to the driver. Provides an exemption allowing vehicle information display, a visual display used to enhance or supplement a driver’s view of vehicle occupants, television-type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or traffic engineering information, or with the use of an interlock device that, when the motor vehicle is driven, disables the equipment for all uses except as a visual display.

WASHINGTON

No person may drive any motor vehicle equipped with any television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a television broadcast when the moving images are visible to the driver while operating the motor vehicle on a public road, except for live video of the motor vehicle backing up.

WEST VIRGINIA

It is not permissible to operate a motor vehicle equipped with a television receiver unless the receiver is configured so that moving images are not in view of the driver while the vehicle is in motion. Exempts GPS devices, mapping displays, rear-view cameras, backseat cameras, and television-type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or traffic engineering information.

WISCONSIN

No person may drive while directly observing any electronic device located within the vehicle that is activated and that is providing entertainment primarily by visual means, with certain exceptions.

WYOMING

No motor vehicle operated on Wyoming highways may be equipped with television-type receiving equipment located so that the screen is visible from the driver’s seat. However, television-type receiving equipment used exclusively for safety or law enforcement purposes and electronic displays used in conjunction with vehicle navigation systems are permitted.

PUERTO RICO

No television may be located in a motor vehicle in a position so that the driver can watch a televised program.