Does California Law Prohibit Using a GPS While Driving?

Emergency :
911
Suicide/crisis :
988
EAP support :
800-865-1044

Emergency :

911

Suicide/crisis :

988

EAP support :

800-865-1044

Language

Log out

Appointments

Language

Appointments

This is your Member Reference Number (MRN). You’ll need to provide this when you make an appointment with an EAP counselor or contact your EAP by phone.

Log out

Anthem provides automatic translation into multiple languages, courtesy of Google Translate. This tool is provided for your convenience only. The English language version is considered the most accurate, and in the event of a discrepancy between the translations, the English version will prevail. This translation tool is not controlled by Anthem, and the Anthem Privacy Statement will not apply. Please read Google's privacy statement. If you want Google to translate the Anthem website, select a language.

In the past, California law prohibited talking on a cellphone and text messaging while driving but didn’t restrict motorists from using a GPS. However, a new distracted driving law that covers GPS took effect in January 2017. Here’s what the new law says about operating a GPS while behind the wheel.

Voice-Operated, Hands-Free Systems

California’s distracted driving law now prohibits driving while “holding or operating” a wireless communication device. But voice-operated, hands-free devices are exempt from the law. So, if you can operate your GPS without using your hands, you shouldn’t have a problem.

Activating or Deactivating a GPS

The new legislation also contains an exception for turning on or off a GPS device: Using your hand to activate or deactivate your GPS isn’t illegal as long as it takes only one tap or swipe to do so and the GPS is mounted on the dash or in the center console.

Manufacturer-Installed Systems That are Embedded

California’s restriction on using a wireless device doesn’t apply to “manufacturer-installed systems that are embedded in the vehicle.” Presumably, this exception covers all embedded systems, including GPS.