Can I get a ticket for using a map app while driving in NC? Here’s the law

To many drivers, firing up your favorite GPS app before hitting the road feels like second nature.

Nearly 1 billion people across the globe rely on Google Maps every month, with Waze and Apple Maps trailing behind at tens to hundreds of millions of users, according to Google.

From highways to side streets, millions depend on digital navigation — but do North Carolina laws give drivers the green light or flash a warning instead?

Here’s what you need to know.

Are you allowed to use a map app while driving in NC?

Yes. According to North Carolina’s hands-free law, drivers are not permitted to use their phones for texting or email, but “the use of factory-installed or aftermarket global positioning systems” falls under the list of exceptions.

While using GPS apps isn’t against the law, state troopers say it can fall under distracted driving, “which is a major cause of many collisions we are seeing,” Master Trooper Christopher Casey of the N.C. State Highway Patrol told The Charlotte Observer.

Tips for safely using GPS on the road

Try these tips from I Drive Safely, an online resource for safe driving, to navigate with your GPS without compromising safety:

• Set your GPS before driving: Enter your destination and review the route ahead of time. If you need to make changes, wait until you can pull over safely.
• Use your car’s built-in navigation: Factory-installed systems are designed with drivers in mind and often work more seamlessly with your vehicle’s controls, helping you stay focused on the road.
• Learn the route in advance: Glance over the major turns, highways or exits before you leave. Having a general sense of where you’re going means less screen-checking later.
• Let passengers assist: If you’re not driving alone, hand off navigation duties. A passenger can update the GPS, search for alternate routes or confirm directions so you can concentrate on driving.

What other exceptions does NC’s hands-free law include?

It’s illegal to text or send emails while driving in North Carolina, but there are some exceptions.

Aside from GPS apps, you can text or send in an email while behind the wheel if:

• You are lawfully parked and stopped.
• You are a law enforcement officer, member of a fire department or the operator of an ambulance performing official duties.
• You use voice operated technology.

Inspired by a story from The Sacramento Bee in California.

This story was originally published September 11, 2025 at 8:07 AM with the headline "Can I get a ticket for using a map app while driving in NC? Here’s the law."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.