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Sat-Nav Driving Laws UK: Rules, Fines & Safe Use

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Part ofRoad Traffic

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
Most of us rely on a sat-nav to get from A to B, but the device sitting on your dashboard can land you in real trouble if you use it carelessly. The law in England and Wales does not ban sat-navs outright, yet officers can still prosecute you if the way you interact with the device affects how you drive. That covers everything from fiddling with the screen at traffic lights to mounting the unit somewhere that blocks your view. This guide walks through the main rules that apply, where drivers commonly trip up, and the practical habits that keep you on the right side of the law. It is aimed at everyday UK drivers, commercial drivers, and anyone who has ever been tempted to reprogram a postcode while moving.

Overview

A sat-nav is any device or app that provides turn-by-turn navigation, whether it is a dedicated unit stuck to the windscreen, a built-in infotainment system, or a smartphone running a mapping app. From a legal standpoint, the device itself is not the issue.

What matters is how it is positioned in the vehicle and whether the driver's attention or view is compromised while the car is in motion. Two broad areas of law come into play. The first is the offence of driving without due care and attention, which captures any behaviour that falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver.

The second concerns the construction and use of vehicles, specifically rules about keeping windscreens clear and ensuring nothing obstructs the driver's field of view. Touching a handheld phone to use its sat-nav function while driving is treated separately and far more strictly under mobile phone laws.

A cradle-mounted phone running navigation is permitted, but handling it while the engine is on can result in an immediate penalty.

Key steps

  1. Set your route before you move off. Type in the postcode, address, or destination while the vehicle is parked with the engine off. Trying to enter details while driving, even at low speeds or in stationary traffic, can count as careless driving if your attention drifts from the road.
  2. Mount the device where it does not block your view. Fix the sat-nav low on the windscreen or on the dashboard, well away from the swept area of the wipers and clear of your sightline to the road, mirrors, and pillars. A poorly placed unit can trigger a construction and use offence on its own.
  3. Use voice guidance and glance only briefly. Turn audio directions on so you rarely need to look at the screen. If you must check the display, treat it like a mirror check: a quick glance, never a prolonged stare. Long looks at a screen are exactly what prosecutors highlight in careless driving cases.
  4. Pull over safely to reprogram. If you miss a turn or need to change destination, find a lay-by, car park, or safe spot to stop before touching the device. Stopping on the hard shoulder of a motorway is not safe or legal except in a genuine emergency.
  5. Never handle a phone sat-nav while driving. Even to skip a prompt or zoom the map, touching a handheld phone behind the wheel is a separate and more serious offence. Keep the phone in a proper cradle and avoid tapping the screen until you are parked.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £89.

Common questions

Q Is it illegal to use a sat-nav while driving in the UK?
No, using a sat-nav is not illegal in itself. Problems arise if the device is placed where it obstructs your view, or if interacting with it causes you to drive without due care and attention. A properly mounted unit that you mostly listen to rather than look at is generally fine. Interfering with it while moving is where drivers get into difficulty.
Q Can I use my phone as a sat-nav?
Yes, provided the phone is secured in a hands-free cradle and you are not touching or holding it while driving. The rules on handheld mobile phone use are strict and apply even when the phone is being used purely for navigation. Set the route before you set off and rely on voice directions once you are moving.
Q Where should I place my sat-nav on the windscreen?
Position it low down and to the side, away from your direct line of sight to the road ahead and clear of your mirrors. It should not sit in the area swept by your wipers in a way that affects visibility. If an officer thinks the placement obstructs your view, you could face a fine and points.
Q What penalties could I face for misusing a sat-nav?
Penalties vary depending on the offence. Careless driving can bring a fixed penalty with points on your licence, or a court fine and higher points in more serious cases. Obstructing your view through poor placement can also attract a fine and points. For the latest figures, check gov.uk, as fixed penalty amounts are updated from time to time.
Q Does it count as careless driving if I tap the screen at a red light?
The car is still considered to be in use, so in principle yes, particularly if the light changes and you are distracted. Courts and officers take a common-sense view, but repeated or prolonged interaction with the screen at junctions is risky. The safer habit is to wait until you are fully parked before making changes.
Q Are built-in car sat-navs treated differently from portable ones?
The underlying legal principles are the same. A built-in system might be better placed and designed for limited distraction, but you can still be prosecuted for careless driving if you spend too long interacting with it on the move. The rule of thumb is simple: eyes on the road, minimal screen time, programme before you drive.
Q Can a sat-nav tell me where speed cameras are legally?
Yes, sat-navs and apps that display the locations of fixed speed cameras are legal to use in the UK. Devices that actively detect or jam police radar and laser equipment are a different matter and are not permitted. If in doubt about a specific device, check the manufacturer's guidance and the current position on gov.uk.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.