Hands-Free Mounting

Hands-free mounting means fixing a sat nav or phone in a holder, so you use it without holding it while you drive.

Last updated: 19 October 2026

What it means

GOV.UK says it is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that can send or receive data, whether online or offline. You can use a device hands-free as long as you do not hold it at any time while using it. It lists a dashboard holder or mat, a windscreen mount and a built-in sat nav as examples, and says the device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead ^[1].

Why it matters when you buy

Check where the device will sit in your car before you buy a sat nav or a mount. GOV.UK says you can get 6 penalty points and a £200 fine for holding and using a device, and 3 penalty points if you do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead. It says the law still applies when you are stopped at traffic lights or queuing ^[1].

Related

• Sat navs: how to choose and use one
• Lifetime map updates

Sources

1. Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving, GOV.UK, gov.uk. The page shows no date. Checked 19 October 2026.