Question for the Californians

mtsarpilot · 11-03-2006, 09:42 AM

I have heard that in California it is illegal to connect anything to the windshield, like a suction cup mount for a GPS. I'll be out there next week and want to stick my GPS onto the windshield but someone told me that is not legal.

Is this true? Do people do it anyway and the cops don't care? Or do you really need to use a dashboard mount?

cobra94563 · 11-03-2006, 11:01 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mtsarpilot @ Nov 3 2006, 09:42 AM) [snapback]343166[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have heard that in California it is illegal to connect anything to the windshield, like a suction cup mount for a GPS. I'll be out there next week and want to stick my GPS onto the windshield but someone told me that is not legal.

Is this true? Do people do it anyway and the cops don't care? Or do you really need to use a dashboard mount?
[/b]

From what I have heard, that is correct. But we often have the GPS on the windshield and no problems from anyone. I have also seen many others mounted there and not heard anyone being stopped.

Now, on the Prius we use a dash mount so it is easier to reach the screen.

darelldd · 11-03-2006, 11:55 AM

Yes it is illegal, yes you could (obviously) get a ticket, yes many people do it without a problem.

I have yet to hear of anybody having an issue with this... doesn't mean it won't be for you.

ceric · 11-03-2006, 12:12 PM

When I read the vehicle codes, I was surprised by it as well. Yes, it is illegal to attach anything to the windshield. It was meant to prevent people from blocking the view thru the windshield (in-out as much as out-in). However, for some GPS units (like Magellan), that is the only way to install them. My friend has one attached to the windshield, and he never has any problem with CHP officer.

hill · 11-03-2006, 12:27 PM

You WILL be one of the first to get caught though ~ if your GPS touch screen rivals our home theater Plasma screen ;^) Seriously, there's plenty of uncourteous kooks out here (especially south Orange County) to keep the Sheriff & the CHP busy, and thus you won't have to worry about it. Your odds are better that you will be tailgate'd at least twice a day. Happens to me ... in the slow lane .... even at 4am !!

Alnilam · 11-03-2006, 12:50 PM

I've had my radar detector stuck in the middle of the windshield for years. No problemo so far. It's funny, the detector is legal but installing it isn't. Another thing to worry about.....

mtsarpilot · 11-03-2006, 02:27 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Nov 3 2006, 10:50 AM) [snapback]343306[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I've had my radar detector stuck in the middle of the windshield for years. No problemo so far. It's funny, the detector is legal but installing it isn't. Another thing to worry about.....
[/b]

Thanks everyone. That is sort of what I suspected, while technically on the books as a law, everyone does it no problem anyway.

tumbleweed · 11-03-2006, 03:00 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Nov 3 2006, 09:12 AM) [snapback]343282[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

When I read the vehicle codes, I was surprised by it as well. Yes, it is illegal to attach anything to the windshield.
[/b]

The rear view mirror is attached to the windshield?

Sounds like an obsolete law.

Alnilam · 11-03-2006, 03:11 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Nov 3 2006, 12:00 PM) [snapback]343402[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The rear view mirror is attached to the windshield?

Sounds like an obsolete law.
[/b]

Your's is attached??

My wife holds mine up for me. Semper legalis!

Proco · 11-03-2006, 03:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Nov 3 2006, 03:11 PM) [snapback]343414[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My wife hold mine up for me.
[/b]

You know ... you can get a prescription for this nowadays.

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11-03-2006, 09:42 AM	#1
mtsarpilot Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 87 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have heard that in California it is illegal to connect anything to the windshield, like a suction cup mount for a GPS. I'll be out there next week and want to stick my GPS onto the windshield but someone told me that is not legal. Is this true? Do people do it anyway and the cops don't care? Or do you really need to use a dashboard mount?

11-03-2006, 11:55 AM	#3
darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northern CA Posts: 5,336 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 18 Thanked 44 Times in 32 Posts Friends: 12	Yes it is illegal, yes you could (obviously) get a ticket, yes many people do it without a problem. I have yet to hear of anybody having an issue with this... doesn't mean it won't be for you.

11-03-2006, 12:12 PM	#4
ceric Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 1,042 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 16 Posts Friends: 0	When I read the vehicle codes, I was surprised by it as well. Yes, it is illegal to attach anything to the windshield. It was meant to prevent people from blocking the view thru the windshield (in-out as much as out-in). However, for some GPS units (like Magellan), that is the only way to install them. My friend has one attached to the windshield, and he never has any problem with CHP officer.

11-03-2006, 12:27 PM	#5
hill High Fiber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South OC So Cal & the Flathead Valley MT Posts: 3,890 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 15 Thanked 93 Times in 68 Posts Friends: 12	You WILL be one of the first to get caught though ~ if your GPS touch screen rivals our home theater Plasma screen ;^) Seriously, there's plenty of uncourteous kooks out here (especially south Orange County) to keep the Sheriff & the CHP busy, and thus you won't have to worry about it. Your odds are better that you will be tailgate'd at least twice a day. Happens to me ... in the slow lane .... even at 4am !!

11-03-2006, 12:50 PM	#6
Alnilam The One in the Middle Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 760 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I've had my radar detector stuck in the middle of the windshield for years. No problemo so far. It's funny, the detector is legal but installing it isn't. Another thing to worry about.....