Is it illegal to use a phone as sat nav in the UK?

Question

I was talking to my friend last night when I was lost and I used Google maps as a sat nav.  I've used Google maps for years as sat nav, police have seen me with it and never said anything about it.  My friend said to me don't use your phone as sat nav 'cos it's illegal and apparently her daughter got done for driving and using her phone as sat nav.  I looked it up on the net and can't find any proper thing that says using a phone as sat nav is illegal.  The only thing I can see is that actually changing the directions on the phone whilst driving is illegal (which is pretty obvious), and obstructing the driving view is also illegal so I have my phone on the passenger side window near where the tax disc used to be - I considered that if that space used to have a tax disc there anyway the police never said that was illegal and even the windscreen wipers don't cover that bit of window so it's not used, and besides my magic tree air freshener obstructs the view from that corner hanging from my rear view mirror.

Skoda John · Accepted Answer

Yes and no.
Setting it up while parked and looking at it fixed like a sat nav is fine. Touching it when driving is an offence.

Poppy · Answer

The legal/ illegal thing comes down to using it hands free. Mount it on the dash or window so your hands are available to drive.

Anonymous · Answer

Of course it isn't.  Holding your phone while driving is what's illegal.

Timbo is here · Answer

It is illegal to operate a device with buttons etc as in a phone or even a calculator unless it is securely mounted on the car and does not obstruct the drivers view of the road. it has to be in easy reach to the driver using it too.

So, as a driver, to use the phone for anything at all whilst held in your hand, even if stopped at the side of the road with the engine running is totally illegal. If you have to use the phone held in your hand whilst sitting in the drivers seat for anything at all you have to be stationary and with the engine off.

As the engine will be running in most cars whilst stopped at traffic lights or similar it is illegal to grab the phone there too.

If you were seen by a Police then he/she must have been on more important business at the time or in fact they did not see you

Anonymous · Answer

As long as it is in a hands-free holder you're fine

? · Answer

It's perfectly legal to use a smart phone as a sat nav.  You just can't hold it in your hand while driving a car.  It needs to be mounted on some sort of holder so you can see it, but don't need to touch it while driving.

HOWEVER, a basic GPS receiver is probably a better navigation tool, and a lot less expensive than a cell phone.  You have to PAY your cell phone service for the data that you receive while using it to navigate, while a GPS receiver gets the information for FREE.

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Is it illegal to use a phone as sat nav in the UK?

6 Answers