Twelve U.S. states had outlawed laser jammers from passenger and commercial vehicles as of early 2025, according to Automoblog.
Drivers hoping to avoid speeding tickets have increasingly opted for laser jammers to lessen their chances of getting pulled over, BGR reported.
By projecting infrared beams to disrupt the laser speed guns used by law enforcement, these electronic devices employ laser tech to assist motorists in steering clear of trouble. This gives drivers time to slow down before officers pull them over, making the hardware seem like a handy car companion.
However, these devices are not legal everywhere in the United States, even if they count among the cool new dashboard gadgets that can update an old car. Automoblog reported that the 12 states prohibiting laser technologies as of early 2025 are South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Tennessee, Nebraska, California, Utah, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. The equipment is also illegal in Washington, D.C., despite remaining legal under federal law.
Because the hardware is intentionally designed to tamper with police equipment and help drivers avoid speeding tickets, states have naturally passed laws to restrict it. Some motorists have also resorted to technologies similar to laser jammers, such as radar detectors. Radar detectors are outlawed only in Virginia and Washington, D.C., as of 2025, according to Automoblog. They cannot be used on military bases or in commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds.
Radar detectors merely notify motorists upon detecting radio waves from police radar units, differing from laser jammers that actively disrupt the infrared beams sent out by speed guns. This allows motorists time to slow down before passing police vehicles.
Free, legal alternatives remain available across the United States for drivers looking to avoid tickets without tricking police equipment. One option is the Waze app’s police sighting feature, which presents user-provided entries to alert other app users that a police presence may be along their route.
For a less controversial approach, Google Maps can remind drivers of changing speed limits along their routes. The app’s speedometer, which Android Auto users gained access to in 2026, informs users if they are cruising too quickly. This gives them the opportunity to slow down before police become a factor.
Earlier coverage: Twelve US States Outlaw Laser Jammers to Disrupt Police Speed Guns
