Car Phone Mount Laws by State — Complete 2026 Guide
Car Phone Mount Laws by State: Complete 2026 Guide
This page compiles current US state laws on windshield and dashboard phone mount restrictions for drivers. It is updated annually. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Quick summary
- Dashboard mounts: Legal in all 50 states
- Windshield mounts: Prohibited or restricted in 30+ states
- Safest choice: Dashboard suction cup mount — no state restrictions
States where windshield phone mounts are prohibited
| State | Law | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | §32-5-216 | No objects obstructing windshield |
| Arkansas | §27-36-213 | Prohibited |
| California | CVC §26708 | Restricted zones only; $160–$360 fine |
| Connecticut | §14-99g | Prohibited |
| Delaware | §4313 | Prohibited |
| Georgia | §40-8-73.1 | Prohibited |
| Idaho | §49-951 | Prohibited |
| Iowa | §321.438 | Prohibited |
| Kansas | §8-1741 | Prohibited |
| Kentucky | §189.110 | Prohibited |
| Louisiana | RS 32:361 | Prohibited |
| Montana | §61-9-204 | Prohibited |
| Nebraska | §60-6,256 | Prohibited |
| New Jersey | NJSA 39:3-74 | Prohibited |
| New Mexico | §66-3-846 | Prohibited |
| North Dakota | §39-21-41 | Prohibited |
| Oklahoma | §47-12-403 | Prohibited |
| Oregon | ORS 815.220 | Prohibited |
| Pennsylvania | 75 Pa.C.S. §4524 | Prohibited |
| Rhode Island | §31-23.3-3 | Prohibited |
| South Carolina | §56-5-5010 | Prohibited |
| South Dakota | §32-15-8 | Prohibited |
| Texas | Trans. Code §547.613 | Prohibited except small lower corners |
| Virginia | §46.2-1054 | Prohibited |
| Washington | RCW 46.37.600 | Restricted: 5" sq driver side, 7" sq passenger side |
| West Virginia | §17C-15-34 | Prohibited |
| Wisconsin | §346.88 | Prohibited |
| Wyoming | §31-5-958 | Prohibited |
States where windshield mounts are generally permitted
These states do not have specific prohibitions on windshield-mounted devices, though general "clear view" requirements still apply:
Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont.
Even in permissive states, placement that obstructs the driver's forward view of the road, signs, or signals may still be cited under general visibility laws.
Why dashboard mounts are the universal safe choice
No US state prohibits a phone mount affixed to the dashboard, provided it does not block access to vehicle controls or obstruct the driver's road view. A dashboard suction cup mount eliminates the legal uncertainty entirely — whether you are commuting across state lines, driving through a state you are unfamiliar with, or simply want to avoid the risk.
Practical advantages over windshield mounting: lower placement reduces direct road-view obstruction, suction holds better on dashboard surfaces than glass in extreme heat, and no state restriction to research or remember.
Recommended dashboard mount
The CabinKraft 360° Car Phone Holder ($10.99) is a dashboard suction cup mount with 360° rotation, universal phone fit, and one-hand operation. Dashboard-only design — legal everywhere.
Also see: Windshield Phone Mount Laws by State (guide) and Best Car Phone Mount for Daily Drivers.
Sources
- State DMV websites and official motor vehicle codes (cited by state above)
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) distracted driving guidelines
- AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Phone mounting safety recommendations