Screens are unavoidable, even in your car. If you drive a vehicle built in the last decade, odds are a touchscreen sits in the center of the dashboard. In fact, backup camera screens are required in newer vehicles due to their safety benefits.
Rear-seat streaming has become widely available in family vehicles, too, and many drivers have opted for mounted dashcams. And that’s just the built-in devices, as mobile technology like cell phones, tablets, and gaming systems are also a distraction.
As in-car screens become the norm, drivers find themselves confused about what they can (and can’t) do. Learn how U.S. federal driving standards and state laws approach in-car video screens, and what you should know to be a safe and law-abiding driver.
Federal Safety Standards And State Laws
Driving laws vary by state. However, there are federal safety standards that do give a solid understanding about what is and isn’t allowed while on the road.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other government agencies focus on vehicle manufacturing rather than driver conduct. These standards require automakers to design systems that limit certain features when a vehicle is in motion. So if you’re driving a non-modified vehicle, you can safely assume your ride is up to code.
Most factory-installed front screens block video playback once the vehicle shifts out of park. Drivers can still access navigation maps, climate controls, and audio functions. Manufacturers program these systems to reduce visual distraction, and dealerships generally do not disable those restrictions.
Rear-seat entertainment systems are a non-issue because they are only visible to passengers, not to the driver. However, volume could be a distraction, so it’s important that the media does not impose on the driver.
Smartphones And Streaming Content
This is pretty straightforward: drivers operating motor vehicles can’t watch videos on a smartphone while driving in any state. This is universal. In addition, all states prohibit texting while driving, and most have limitations regarding handheld phone use. Wording might differ slightly from state to state, but the rules are generally similar.
Platforms such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto restrict video apps while the vehicle is in motion. These systems allow calls, messaging functions, music, and navigation, but they block entertainment video playback.
Don’t think you can outsmart the law by mounting a phone to the dashboard. This does not change the legal standard as if the device displays entertainment content within the driver’s line of sight it likely violates state law.
How about if a passenger in the front seat is watching something? This is where things get a little more nuanced. Several states, including California, have clear laws allowing this.
“Yes, passengers sitting up front can legally watch a video on their phone or another device while the vehicle is in motion,” says Edward Susolik, CEO, Senior Partner & Personal Injury Attorney at Callahan & Blaine. “California only restricts drivers from holding or operating devices, though the key here is that just because your front passenger is watching something while you drive doesn’t mean you get that same privilege.”
Local and state vehicle codes determine what drivers can legally view while operating a motored vehicle. For instance, some have restrictions on dashboard-mounted tablets and aftermarket DVD players installed in the front cabin. Conversely, some states have broad distracted driving statutes instead of specific video screen bans due to the complicated issue.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) tracks and summarizes distracted driving laws. Because rules vary by state, and are updated periodically, it’s important familiarize yourself with your own state’s vehicle code to ensure you remain compliant and avoid costly citations.
“Some states let you have front-seat video displays only if they’re positioned in a way that only the passenger can view them,” says Susolik. “Other states are far stricter and won’t allow any video displays in the front of the vehicle. There are also wide differences between states in windshield mounting restrictions. Every state has its own enforcement and penalties regarding device use and placement, and every driver should know what the rules are in their state or any state they plan on driving through. Claiming you didn’t know won’t matter, especially if you cause an accident.”
Special Situations, Exceptions and Compliance Guidelines
Certain vehicles are exempt from traditional legal limitations. Commercial drivers, rideshare operators (like taxis, Lyfts, and Ubers), and delivery drivers follow the same basic screen restrictions as other motorists but may be allowed a mounted device used for dispatching or navigation. If you fall into one of those categories, check with your employer’s resources department to ensure your setup follows local and federal laws.
Law enforcement and emergency responder vehicles are equipped with front-facing video equipment, as those are used for official duties.
Things get a little more complicated about using entertainment devices while parked. Some states may allow using entertainment devices while the vehicle is shifted into park. However it’s important to check all local ordinances first.
While in-car technology continues to expand, so will the laws that govern them. Understanding how federal standards and state laws address in-car screens allows motorists to make informed decisions and stay within the law.
Sources
- Edward Susolik, CEO, Senior Partner & Trial Attorney at Callahan & Blaine, expert in distracted driving and road safety cases.
Resources
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Visual-Manual NHTSA Driver Distraction Guidelines”
- Governors Highway Safety Association, “Distracted Driving Laws”
- National Conference Of State Legislatures, “Cell Phone Use And Texting While Driving Laws”
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