Can I touch my sat nav while driving?

Asked by: Bradly Reichert  |  Last update: July 22, 2022
Score: 4.9/5 (25 votes)

There are no specific driving rules to say where you can and can't fix your sat nav or smartphone in your car. However, placing a sat nav in your eyeline while you're driving, or anywhere else it might obstruct your view of the road ahead, could be seen as a driving offence by police.

Can I touch my phone screen while driving?

Is touching your phone while driving illegal? Current law forbids holding a mobile phone while driving. Although this could mean you can tap your screen when your phone is fixed on a mount, the police can charge you for driving without due care and attention or careless driving.

Can I use map while driving?

Swiping your way through Google Maps while driving is just as much of a distraction and safety hazard as texting. Luckily, Google Maps features a voice-activation feature. In the app's settings, tap "Navigation Settings," then "OK Google Detection," then turn on the "While driving" switch.

How do you use navigation while driving?

How To Use GPS While Driving Safely – The Essential Guide
  1. Locate your GPS device up to eye level. ...
  2. Be familiarized with your GPS. ...
  3. Plan your drive before hitting the road. ...
  4. Activate voice directions. ...
  5. Watch out for traffic signs. ...
  6. Always look for road updates.

Are Sat Navs illegal in UK?

It's illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet, or any device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web.

Sat Nav Driving Test - What You Need to Know | Driving Tutorial

39 related questions found

Is it illegal to have a sat nav on the windscreen?

Technically, you can be pulled over for having a sat-nav on your windscreen, but barring a ridiculous placement of the device, you're unlikely to be stopped.

Can I use hands-free while driving?

At present, it is not an offence to use a hands-free phone while driving, despite the risks being similar. However, the police are able to stop drivers who they deem not in control because of distraction, including through the use of a hands-free phone, and this can result in prosecution.

How do I get better at driving navigation?

Here are five more tips that can make every driver smarter about navigation app use, based on Campbell's road-tested advice:
  1. Find an App You Like and Practice Using It. ...
  2. Spend 30 Seconds Looking at the Route Overview Before Leaving. ...
  3. Know Your App's Weaknesses. ...
  4. Plan to Avoid Left Turns.

When listening to music in your car you should?

One of the safest strategies you can adopt for listening to the stereo in your car is to accept what you're listening to. Who knows, you may even discover a new favorite song! Before you get on the road, choose a radio station, CD, or playlist that you like. Make changes only when your car is stopped.

How do I see Google Maps while driving?

How to enable Google Assistant driving mode in Google Maps
  1. Start the Google app.
  2. In the lower-right corner, tap "More," and then tap "Settings."
  3. Tap "Google Assistant."
  4. Scroll down and tap "Getting around."
  5. Tap "Driving mode."
  6. Turn on "Driving Mode" by swiping the button to the right.

What is assistant driving mode?

Google Assistant driving mode is a feature that makes your phone safer and easier to use when you're driving. The dashboard uses a card-based interface that's easy to see at a glance and uses voice commands with the help of Google Assistant.

Can you take pictures while driving?

Even if you have stopped at a red light or are queuing in traffic, you should not be using your phone. This also means drivers aren't allowed to use their photos to take photos or videos while driving. Even scrolling through a playlist while driving is a big no.

Is talking on Bluetooth while driving illegal?

Last week, the Bangalore Police announced a new rule banning the use of Bluetooth devices or earphones. The new rule applies to both 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers and can attract a fine of Rs. 1,000. Listening to music or attending a call using Bluetooth while driving a car will also be illegal.

Is Google sat nav free?

The biggest perk may be that Google Maps Navigation is free. If you don't drive often or you just can't justify buying a dedicated sat-nav, you now have a decent alternative available on your Android phone any time you need it.

Why do I have no sense of direction?

New research has shown that people with weaker signals in the entorhinal cortex struggle with navigating a virtual environment. Other studies have found that people with a better sense of direction have larger frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.

How do I get a sense of direction?

How to Develop an Awesome Sense of Direction
  1. First, look at a map for a few minutes. ...
  2. Walk around a lot. ...
  3. Orient to some landmarks. ...
  4. Form a mental map. ...
  5. Look at a map a lot in the beginning, but don't rely on it completely. ...
  6. Keep your orientation as you walk around.

Is it illegal to drive in flip flops?

There is currently no explicit law that bans driving with bare feet, in heels or flip flops, or any other form of sandals or footwear. However, Highway Code 97 states that, before setting out on a journey in a car, it's important that “clothing and footwear do not prevent you using the controls in the correct manner”.

How can police prove you were on your phone while driving?

The prosecution have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you were actually driving and using the phone. For example, a police officer will give evidence to say that he or she seen you driving whilst holding a mobile phone up to your ear.

Can you have your phone on speaker while driving?

Can you have your phone on speaker while driving? Using your phone's speaker in a call is completely legal. Using your hands to answer the call however, is illegal – you must either begin your call when not driving or use the car's connectivity/voice control to initiate a phone call.

Where can you legally put a sat nav?

There is no specific law regarding the placement of a sat nav or phone holder but, as mentioned above, road traffic laws make it an offence to drive in a position where your view of the road or traffic ahead is obstructed.

Can a car passenger use their phone UK?

As a passenger, you are able to use your mobile phone as long as it is not distracting the driver. You must never encourage the driver to look away and lose concentration of their surroundings. As the driver, on the other hand, you must not, under any circumstances, use your mobile phone while driving.