Department for Transport dismisses misleading TikTok viral video claim on mobile phone sat nav ban and £200 fines
- Perry Richardson
- Jul 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 29
Drivers have been reassured that there are no plans to ban smartphone GPS apps, following a misleading TikTok video that spread false claims online.
The viral video, posted on 23 July, alleged that the Department for Transport would introduce a ban on navigation apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze from 2026. It went on to claim that motorists using phones for navigation would face a £200 fine and six penalty points.
Car insurance experts at MoneySuperMarket contacted the Department for Transport for clarification. In response, a government spokesperson confirmed there are no planned changes to the rules. They stated that current laws already prohibit drivers from holding a phone, but hands-free use remains allowed when the device is securely mounted.
The video caused confusion online, with many users expressing concern over the affordability of built-in car sat nav systems. Others noted that smartphone apps have become a daily necessity for navigation.
Alicia Hempsted from MoneySuperMarket urged drivers to fact-check content shared online, particularly when it relates to road safety and driving laws. She stressed that smartphone use while driving must follow the existing legal framework, which requires the device to be fixed in place and not handled at any time during a journey.
Since March 2022, it has been illegal to hold a mobile phone while driving, even when stationary in traffic. The rules apply to all functions, including checking notifications or entering directions. Devices used for navigation must not obstruct the driver’s view.
The Department for Transport advises motorists to check official sources for legal updates. Guidance on the safe use of mobile phones while driving can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Hempsted said: “As car insurance experts, we’re committed to helping drivers make safe, informed and legally sound decisions behind the wheel. Incorrect information can spread quickly on social media, so fact checking what you hear, particularly about important topics like road safety, is crucial.
“We’re grateful to the Department of Transport for clarifying that there are no plans to change the rules for sat nav use. This means that you can use your phone as a sat nav, but it must be secured in a fixed mount, and you must not touch it any point while driving. Also, the mount you use for your phone must not block the driver’s view of the road ahead.”
