What is the best way get through VA? Does anyone have any experience with hidden detectors? Will a Valentine fit in a sun visor? Can hidden detectors be sniffed out by other means? thanks

 

no matter how much time it takes, go around Virginia, don't drive through. hire a boat to sail you around to Maryland or drive up through WVA instead (very nice drive!)

local cops don't carry them as much from what I understand, but most of the state cars will have a detector detector on board. if yours says it can do undetected then you can chance it if you want. if you do want to well...

• Don't put the detector high on the windshield or in the middle, cops who suspect will pull up behind you and flip on their radars and check for the lights to come on. put the detector in a hidden location or at least directly in front of you where it can't be seen from behind.
• if you get pulled over, hide the detector! put it somewhere where it is not visible and the cop would require permission to do a search in order to find it. one good place would be in your center console if it fits. keep an extra ignition key on your key ring and throw it in there then lock it. don't point out that you have a spare key on hand and if the cop discovers it note that you would have to turn the car off in order to get to it.
• unplug the power cable from the power outlet and hide it as well. put the cigarette lighter back in or close the little door over it because an empty outlet looks suspicious.
• if your detector mounts with suction cups wipe them off the windshield before the cop gets up to you, wet your finger with your tongue and wipe them clean, if they are visible that could be probable cause
• tinted windows would help a lot to get that stuff done undetected.

in order to legally carry a radar detector in VA you must:

• have it unplugged from power completely.
• located such that neither you nor anyone else in the car can physically reattach it to power at any time (IE, put it in the trunk where there is no access) even if your detector is off, its still illegal if its just sitting there and it could be powered on.

And of course, please don't prove the politicians in Virginia right by using your radar detector there, or anywhere the wrong way. it is not a tool to allow you to speed and endanger other lives and get away with it, its a tool to periodically remind you to stay awake, stay alert, and keep your speedometer in mind while driving to improve the legality and safety of the way you operate your vehicle. especially when there is high traffic and you can't use cruise, it helps to keep you from speeding up and not paying proper attention to your instruments.
I never use my detector when I'm in state (even though I firmly believe I should have every right to) but when out of state I drive slower because I have my detector with me. that's because I use it the way it was intended to be used and that's just the way it should be!

have fun out there, and stay safe!

 

Thanks you very much, mcgiles, both for the interest and advice.

 

I unplug mine and put it in the glovebox everytime I drive through Virginia.