Frequently Asked
Questions

Radar detectors are legal in 48 out of 50 states for personal passenger vehicles. The only exceptions are Virginia and Washington D.C. Additionally, they are illegal for all commercial drivers (trucks, taxis, rideshare) in all 50 states under federal law. See full state-by-state guide →

In Virginia, possession of a radar detector carries fines up to $250. Officers can confiscate the device on the spot. Crucially, the law prohibits possession — not just use — so even a powered-off detector in your glovebox is a violation. Washington D.C. carries similar penalties.

No. Radar detectors are prohibited on all U.S. military installations and federal property, regardless of which state the base is located in. Always power off and store your detector before entering any military facility.

Yes. Radar detectors are legal to use in California, but California Vehicle Code §26708 prohibits attaching anything to the windshield that obstructs the driver's view. Always mount your RadarShield on the dashboard, never the windshield. Note: the Ticket Rebate Program does not apply in California.

Radar detectors are illegal in most Canadian provinces including Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. They are permitted in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Always verify provincial law before crossing the border.

A radar detector is a passive receiver — it listens for electromagnetic signals emitted by police radar guns in the Ka, K, and X frequency bands. When it detects an active signal, it immediately alerts the driver. RadarShield uses advanced DSP (Digital Signal Processing) to distinguish real enforcement signals from false triggers. Learn more about the technology →

These are completely different devices. A radar detector only receives signals passively — legal in 48 states. A radar jammer actively transmits signals to block police radar — this is a federal crime under 47 U.S.C. § 333, illegal in all 50 states. RadarShield products are detectors only and do not emit any signals.

Ka band (33.8, 34.7, and 35.5 GHz) is the most advanced police radar in use today. Law enforcement favors it because it's harder for older detectors to catch. False alerts on Ka are extremely rare, making Ka band alerts a reliable indicator of active enforcement. RadarShield detects all three Ka frequencies.

K band (18.0–27.0 GHz) is the most commonly used police radar frequency in the United States. It's reliable but can occasionally trigger false alerts from vehicles equipped with adaptive cruise control or blind-spot monitoring systems. RadarShield's IVT filtering minimizes these false alerts.

IVT (Intelligent Vehicle Technology) filtering uses DSP algorithms to identify and suppress false alerts caused by other vehicles' safety systems — blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping sensors — which operate on the same K-band frequency as police radar. Without IVT filtering, you'd get false alerts constantly in heavy traffic.

Yes. Both The Ghost and The Ghost PRO include full laser/LIDAR detection. However, laser alerts are triggered at shorter range than radar — laser guns target a specific vehicle. If you receive a laser alert, you are already the intended target. Awareness of laser use in your area is the key benefit.

Under ideal open highway conditions, RadarShield can detect Ka and K band signals from up to 2 miles or more. Actual range varies with road conditions (hills, curves), traffic density, radar gun power, and environmental factors. Detection range is maximized on straight, open roads.

Installation takes under 5 minutes: (1) Attach the suction cup mount to your dashboard or windshield. (2) Connect the 12V power cable to your car's cigarette lighter port. (3) Press power — the unit starts scanning immediately. No professional installation needed. See full setup guide →

False alerts are usually caused by other vehicles' safety systems (blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control) or roadside equipment (automatic door openers, traffic sensors). To reduce false alerts: (1) Enable CITY mode in urban areas. (2) Ensure IVT filtering is turned on. (3) Keep firmware updated via the lifetime free software updates feature.

HIGHWAY mode provides maximum sensitivity — best for open roads where long range is critical. CITY mode reduces K-band sensitivity to suppress false alerts from dense traffic and urban radar sources. Switch modes using the front button. Most drivers use CITY mode in metro areas and HIGHWAY mode on interstates.

Yes. RadarShield works in any vehicle with a 12V power outlet, including Tesla and other EVs. However, note that some Tesla models and other vehicles equipped with multiple radar-based safety systems may generate more K-band interference — CITY mode and IVT filtering are particularly beneficial in these vehicles.

Both models detect Ka, K, X-band and laser. The Ghost ($269) is ideal for most drivers — highway commuters, city drivers, everyday use. The Ghost PRO ($329.99) adds military-grade DSP technology and enhanced front & rear coverage for enthusiast drivers or those in high-enforcement areas. See full comparison →

We ship orders as quickly as possible. Once shipped, you'll receive a tracking email. Delivery times vary by location — typically 3–7 business days within the U.S. You can also purchase directly on Amazon for Prime delivery.

Shipping costs are calculated based on your location and order contents. The exact shipping price is displayed at checkout before you complete your purchase — no surprise fees.

RadarShield is currently optimized for the U.S. market. The Ticket Rebate Program is only valid in the USA. International orders may be available — contact us at 1-800-531-8708 or via our contact form for current availability.

You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking link once your order ships. You can also log in to your RadarShield account or visit the Track My Order page to check status at any time.

Our goal is for every customer to be completely satisfied. If you're not happy with your purchase, contact us and we'll do our best to make it right. Certain items may be marked final sale before purchase. View full return policy →

If you receive a speeding ticket while your registered RadarShield was active and failed to alert you, we reimburse you for the ticket. Valid for 1 year from purchase date. Key conditions: ticket must state RADAR or LASER + SPEEDING, speed must not exceed 15 mph or 30% over the limit. Not available in California, Virginia, or D.C. Full program details →

Register within 30 days of purchase to activate your Ticket Rebate Program coverage. Visit radarshield.com/pages/register-product and complete the form. You'll receive a confirmation email with your rebate program details.

Our products are manufactured both locally and globally. We carefully select manufacturing partners to ensure every RadarShield product meets our quality and performance standards before it ships to you.

Call us at 1-800-531-8708 or use our contact form. We're here to help with setup questions, technical issues, warranty claims, and anything else you need.