Where to mount your phone or GPS: sight lines, air bag zones and state windshield rules
Place your mount for quick glances, clear of air bags and within your state’s rules
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation built this guide from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidance, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) research and state law tables, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, state statutes and driver handbooks, and published research on display placement. Every source is listed at the end.
What a navigation mount is for
A navigation mount has one job. It holds a phone or GPS unit still, in a spot you can see, so your hands stay on the wheel. Think of it as a visibility and awareness tool. Used well, it swaps a long look at your lap for a quick glance near the road.
That swap matters. In 2024, 3,208 people were killed and 315,167 were injured in collisions involving distracted drivers [1]. Handling a phone is among the riskiest distractions. A large study tracked more than 3,000 drivers in everyday driving. Crash risk was 2 to 6 times higher while they were handling a phone than when they were not distracted [2].
Mounts are used by everyday drivers, parents, delivery drivers and employers who equip work vehicles. This guide covers where the mount goes and why. For route planning and phone settings, see our guides to using GPS navigation safely and phone setup before driving.
How your eyes share the road with a screen
Start with two questions. How far must your eyes travel to read the screen? And what can you still see while they are there?
Keep each glance short
Federal distraction guidelines for automakers’ built in screens ask that displays sit as close as practical to the driver’s forward line of sight [3]. They also set a target: a task should need glances of 2 seconds or less, adding up to no more than 12 seconds in total [3]. NHTSA based this on research linking glances away from the road of more than 2 seconds to higher crash and near crash risk [3].
At 55 mph, a car travels about 161 feet in 2 seconds. A good mount position lets you get what you need in one quick look.
Low screens cost more than side screens
In a driving simulator study, drivers did worse the farther a display sat from their line of sight to the road [4]. Moving the display down hurt more than moving it to the side [4]. During a demanding task, brake reaction time nearly doubled when the display was about 35 degrees away from the road view, compared with closer spots [4].
A phone in a cup holder pulls your eyes far down and away. A screen near dash height keeps the road in your side vision, so you are more likely to catch brake lights ahead.
A small screen can hide a big object
The closer an object is to your eyes, the more of the world it blocks. A phone about 3 inches wide, 2 feet from your eyes, can hide a strip of road about 12 feet wide at 100 feet away. That is enough to hide a person in a crosswalk or a child on a bike.
Picking the spot: a placement map
Look for a spot near your normal view of the road, outside the area you look through, and clear of air bags and controls.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Mount locations compared
| Spot | Effect on your view | Main cautions |
|---|---|---|
| Low on the windshield, center or passenger side | Short glance, below most of the road view | Must not hide the road; state limits vary [7, 8, 9] |
| Top of the dash, near the center | Short glance, road stays in side vision | Keep off the passenger air bag cover [5] |
| Center air vent | Moderate glance | Can sag, block airflow or cover controls |
| Cup holder or center console | Long downward glance [4] | Pulls eyes far from the road and invites reaching |
| High on the windshield near the mirror | Close to your line of sight | Can hide signals and signs; newer cars may keep cameras there |
| Driver side corner of the windshield | Short glance | Widens the blind area by the windshield pillar during left turns |
For most drivers, the best spot is low and central. Think of the base of the windshield or the top of the dash, just right of the steering wheel. It must also be clear of any air bag cover.
Before you commit, test the spot from the driver’s seat:
- Sit in your normal driving position with your seat belt on and your mirrors set.
- Look straight down the road. The device should not cover the lane ahead, traffic signals or the sidewalk edges.
- Glance at the screen. You should be able to read it by moving only your eyes, not your head.
- Reach toward it with your back still against the seat. If you have to lean, move it closer.
- Check that all three mirrors, the gauges and the climate and hazard controls stay in full view.
- Turn the steering wheel fully both ways to make sure your hands and arms never hit the mount.
Stay clear of air bag zones
Air bags save lives. NHTSA credits frontal air bags with saving more than 50,000 lives over 30 years [5]. They inflate in less than 1/20th of a second [5]. A mount or phone sitting in that path can be thrown toward the people the air bag is meant to protect.
The driver’s frontal air bag sits in the center of the steering wheel, and the front passenger’s is in the dashboard [5]. NHTSA recommends keeping at least 10 inches between a person and the air bag cover [5]. Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation gives drivers the same advice. Side air bags inflate even faster, because there is less space between the person and the object striking the car [5].
- Never attach anything to the steering wheel or its center pad.
- Keep mounts off the passenger side dash panel where that air bag is stored.
- Use the owner’s manual to find every air bag in your vehicle, including side, curtain and knee air bags if it has them.
- Route charging cables so they do not cross an air bag cover or the steering wheel.
What state laws say about mounts
Laws affect mounts in two ways. Windshield laws limit what can be attached to the glass. Hands free laws limit how you may touch a phone while driving.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported in July 2026 that 32 states and D.C. ban hand held calls and texting for all drivers [2]. Its state law table, current as of October 2026, shows some hands free laws allow a single swipe or tap only while the device is mounted. Alabama, California, Maine and Tennessee are among them [6]. Other states allow a single touch without naming a mount [6].
Four state examples show the range:
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Mount and phone rules in four states
| State | What the rule says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| California | The driver handbook says to mount the phone on the windshield, dashboard or center console where it cannot block your view, and to use only a single swipe or touch [6, 7] | Mount first, then keep touches to one tap |
| Minnesota | Objects may not hang between the driver and the windshield, but GPS or navigation units mounted near the bottom of the windshield are allowed [8] | Keep windshield mounts low |
| Florida | Items on the windshield are banned, with exceptions that include a GPS device used for navigation [9] | A GPS unit is allowed; most other items on the glass are not |
| Arizona | Drivers may not hold or support a phone with any part of the body. Navigation and GPS are allowed hands free, with hand use only to turn a function on or off [10] | Keep the phone in a mount, not in your hand |
In Florida, breaking the windshield rule is a noncriminal, nonmoving traffic infraction [9]. In Arizona, a first hands free violation carries a civil penalty of $75 to $149, and later violations cost $400 [10].
If your state has no specific GPS rule, look at its general rules about objects that block a driver’s view. For a wider look at phone laws, see our guide to distracted driving laws by state.
Work vehicles and fleets
Employers face extra rules for large trucks and buses covered by federal motor carrier safety rules. Under those rules, “vehicle safety technology” includes Global Positioning Systems, along with driver cameras and warning systems [12]. On the windshield, these devices must sit near the top or bottom of the area the wipers sweep. The limit is 8.5 inches below the top edge or 7 inches above the bottom edge [11]. They must also stay outside the driver’s sight lines to the road and to highway signs and signals [11].
The same rules shape where a phone should sit. For these drivers, using a hand held phone includes dialing or answering by pressing more than one button [13]. It also includes reaching for a phone in a way that takes the driver out of a seated, belted driving position [13]. So the mount must be within easy reach of a belted driver.
Employers with cars and vans can borrow this logic. A sound program would:
- Choose one approved mount location for each vehicle model.
- Buy mounts through fleet suppliers and have the fleet shop install them.
- Plan the layout when a vehicle also carries a dash camera, telematics unit or alcohol ignition interlock, so devices do not crowd the driver’s view. Leave any interlock changes to the approved installer.
- Check mounts during routine vehicle inspections.
Our guide to workplace distracted driving policy covers the policy side.
Choosing a mount that stays put
Mounts attach with a windshield suction cup, a dash adhesive pad, a vent clip, a cup holder post or, in many fleets, a bolt on bracket. The part that holds the phone may use a spring clamp, a magnet or gripping arms.
You can find mounts at auto parts stores, electronics stores, phone retailers and the vehicle dealer’s parts department. Fleets can order bolt on systems through fleet suppliers. Many newer vehicles can show phone navigation on the built in screen, so no separate mount is needed.
Set up before you roll
Do these steps while parked, before every trip:
- Adjust your seat and mirrors first, since your eye position decides where the screen should be.
- Seat the device firmly and give the mount a gentle tug.
- Enter the destination and start the route before you shift out of park.
- Turn on spoken turn by turn directions so your ears do most of the work.
- Turn on automatic brightness or night mode. A bright screen at night can reflect in the windshield and dazzle you.
- Plug in the charger and tuck the cable away from your hands and feet.
Once moving, use voice commands or a single tap to accept a new route. If a change needs more than that, ask a passenger or pull into a safe parking spot.
Limits and common mistakes
A mount fixes where the phone sits. It does not fix where your mind is. Talking or listening to a screen still takes mental attention, as our guide to hands free and voice distraction explains.
Watch for these common mistakes:
- Mounting high in the middle of the windshield, where the device hides signals and cars ahead.
- Using a tall dash mount that blocks the lower part of your view.
- Fixing a loose mount while driving.
- Typing an address at a red light, when the light can change while your eyes are down.
- Letting the phone bake in direct sun until it dims or shuts off mid route.
Parents should set up a teen’s mount together with the teen and practice the routine in the driveway. Rules for new teen drivers can be stricter, so check your state’s rules before the first solo drive.
Care and maintenance
Mounts wear out, and a failing mount often fails at a bad moment, such as in a hard stop.
- Clean the suction cup and the glass with mild soap and water when the cup starts to slip.
- Tighten arm joints that have begun to droop or rattle.
- Replace worn adhesive pads, cracked clamps and stretched springs.
- Recheck the mount after very hot or cold days.
- Inspect the charging cable for fraying or pinching near the mount.
- After a windshield replacement or collision repair, retest the spot and keep the mount away from any windshield cameras.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to put a phone mount on my windshield?
It depends on your state. Some states allow GPS or navigation devices on the windshield only in certain places, such as near the bottom of the glass in Minnesota [8]. Florida bans most items on the windshield but makes an exception for GPS devices used for navigation [9]. California’s driver handbook lists the windshield, dashboard and center console as places to mount a phone, as long as it does not block your view [7]. Check your state’s current rules before you mount.
Is the dashboard a better spot than the windshield?
Often, yes, if you choose the right part of the dashboard. A low profile mount near the center of the dash keeps the screen close to your view of the road without covering the glass. The key is to stay off the passenger air bag cover, which sits in the dashboard [5]. Check your owner’s manual for the exact location. Avoid tall mounts that rise into the road view.
Can I touch my phone if it is in a mount?
In many states, only a little. Several states allow a single swipe or tap only while the phone is mounted [6]. Others allow a single touch to turn a feature on or off [6]. Typing, scrolling or entering a new address is a different matter. Do those things while parked, or let a passenger handle them. Check your state’s law for the exact limits.
Are air vent mounts safe?
They can work if the vent is near the center of the dash and the clip holds firmly. Vent mounts sit lower than a dash top mount, so each glance travels farther. Flimsy vent blades can let the phone sag or rattle. Make sure the phone does not cover the hazard light switch or other controls.
Does a mount make it safe to use apps while driving?
No. A mount removes the need to hold the phone, but your eyes and mind can still leave the road. Federal guidelines aim to keep single glances at 2 seconds or less [3]. Research has linked handling a phone to a collision risk 2 to 6 times higher than undistracted driving [2]. Use the mount for quick looks at a route you set before you left.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation urges drivers to keep every phone and GPS mount out of their sight lines and clear of air bags. A phone or GPS mount is a small device with a big job. It keeps your hands free and your eyes close to the road. The right spot is low and near the center, outside the area you look through, and clear of every air bag. The wrong spot can hide a person in a crosswalk.
Choose a sturdy mount, test the spot from the driver’s seat, and set your route before you move. Then let the screen be something you glance at, not something you work with.
Related articles
- Using GPS navigation safely: plan the route, skip the sudden moves
- Phone setup before driving: set it once, then drive distraction free
- Distracted driving laws by state: 2026 guide to phone and texting rules
- Air bag safety: seating position, kids in back and safe repairs
- Hands free, voice and touchscreen distraction: how to lower your risk
Sources and further reading
- 1National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Distracted Driving Dangers and Statistics. Undated web page, accessed October 2026. Data year: 2024. nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
- 2Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Distracted driving (research area overview). Updated July 2026. Data year: state laws as of 2026; naturalistic driving studies published 2015-2018. iihs.org/research-areas/distracted-driving
- 3NHTSA, Federal Register. Visual-Manual NHTSA Driver Distraction Guidelines for In-Vehicle Electronic Devices. 78 FR 24818. Published April 26, 2013. federalregister.gov/…/visual-manual-nhtsa-driver-distraction…
- 4Wittmann M, Kiss M, Gugg P, et al. Effects of display position of a visual in-vehicle task on simulated driving. Applied Ergonomics 37(2):187-199. Published 2006 (online August 2005). Data year: simulator experiment reported in 2005. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16118009/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16118009/) (doi: [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2005.06.002](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2005.06.002)) doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2005.06.002
- 5NHTSA. Vehicle Air Bags and Injury Prevention. Undated web page, accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/air-bags
- 6IIHS. Electronic device laws (state law table). Current as of October 2026. Data year: 2026. iihs.org/…/electronic-device-laws
- 7California Department of Motor Vehicles. California Driver’s Handbook: Safe Driving (continued). Accessed October 2026. dmv.ca.gov/…/safe-driving-cont2
- 8Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes section 169.71, Windshield. Most recently amended 2026. revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.71
- 9Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes section 316.2952, Windshields; requirements; restrictions. 2025 Florida Statutes. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/316.2952
- 10Arizona State Legislature. Arizona Revised Statutes section 28-914, Use of portable wireless communication device while driving. Accessed October 2026. azleg.gov/ars/28/00914.htm
- 11Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (FMCSA rules). 49 CFR 393.60(e), Prohibition on obstructions to the driver’s field of view. Current as of October 2, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/section-393.60
- 12Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (FMCSA rules). 49 CFR 393.5, Definitions (vehicle safety technology). Current as of September 24, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/section-393.5
- 13Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (FMCSA rules). 49 CFR 390.5, Definitions (use a hand-held mobile telephone). Current as of October 1, 2026. ecfr.gov/…/section-390.5
This article reflects the safety priorities of distraction prevention and clear driver sight lines. It is general safety education, not legal, medical or insurance advice. Laws and federal rules change, so verify details with official sources. For your own situation, contact your state DMV or highway safety office, and check your owner's manual or ask your dealer for air bag locations. If you drive for work, ask your employer's fleet safety manager. Reviewed October 2026.
Cite this article: Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation. “Where to mount your phone or GPS: sight lines, air bag zones and state windshield rules.” drivewithcare.org, https://drivewithcare.org/phone-gps-mount-placement-windshield-laws/. Reviewed October 2026.
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