Methods, systems, and devices are described for using location information to determine whether to use at least a portion of a dedicated short range communications (DSRC) spectrum. Current location information of a multi-mode device is determined. The multi-mode device is operating outside of the DSRC spectrum. The current location information is used to determine whether the multi-mode device is located outside of geographical region attributed to DSRC transmissions. Upon determining that the multi-mode device is located outside of the geographical region, at least a portion of the DSRC spectrum is used for transmissions by the multi-mode device.