Many U.S. states now have restrictions or bans on cell phone use while driving. These restrictions or bans are established through various state cell phone driving laws. Cell phone driving laws tend to vary throughout the country. However, when dealing with some specific issues, these laws are fairly consistent. For instance, many states have banned cell phone use by beginner drivers.
Highlights of current cell phone driving laws include:
- 5 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington) and the District of Columbia have full bans on driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone.
- 17 states (see below) and the District of Columbia have cell phone driving laws specifically aimed at teenage and/or beginner drivers.
- 15 states (see below) and the District of Columbia have banned all cell phone use (hand-held and hands-free) while driving a school bus.
- 6 states (Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania) allow local jurisdictions to pass ordinances or policies restricting or banning cell phone use while driving.
- 8 states (Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah) prohibit local jurisdictions from passing cell phone driving laws.
- No state has a complete ban on all cell phone use (hand-held and hands-free) while driving.
Last updated: June, 2009
The list below indicates the status of current cell phone driving laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:
Alabama - No bans.
Alaska - No ban on talking, but text messaging is banned for all drivers.
Arizona * - A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using cell phones.
Arkansas * - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use. Hands-free use permitted for drivers 18 - 20 yrs. of age. Text messaging is banned for all drivers
California * - Banned from July 2008; commercial drivers are exempted until 2011. Drivers under 18 yrs. of age are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Colorado - Drivers with Learners Permit are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Connecticut * - Banned from October 2005 - the fine is up to $100 for first-time offenders; some professions are exempted. Drivers with a Learners Permit are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Delaware * - Drivers with a Graduated Drivers License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use. All drivers can be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone.
District of Columbia * - Banned from July 2004; some professions are exempted. Drivers with a Learners Permit are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Florida - State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting bans.
Georgia * -
Hawaii - A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu.
Illinois * - Local jurisdictions are allowed to enact a ban - Chicago has passed a full ban. Drivers under 19 yrs. of age with a Learner or Graduated Drivers License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Indiana - Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan. 2004.
Kansas - Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000.
Kentucky * - Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000. Local jurisdictions prohibited from enacting bans.
Louisiana - Local jurisdictions prohibited from enacting bans.
Maine - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Maryland - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age with a Learner or Provisional License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Massachussets * - Local jurisdictions are allowed to enact a ban - Town of Brookline has passed a full ban.
Michigan - Local jurisdictions are allowed to enact a ban - Detroit has passed a full ban.
Minnesota - No ban on talking, but text messaging is banned. Drivers under 18 yrs. of age or drivers with a Learner or Provisional License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Mississippi- State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting bans.
Nebraska - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age with a Learner or Provisional License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Nevada - Local jurisdictions prohibited from enacting bans.
New Hampshire - Not explicitly banned, but all drivers can be prosecuted under a comprehensive distracted driving law.
New Jersey * - Banned from July 2004 - the fine is up to $250. Text messaging also banned. Drivers under 21 yrs. of age with a Graduated Drivers License or Provisional License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
New Mexico - Local jurisdictions are allowed to enact a ban - Santa Fe has passed a full ban.
New York - Banned from November 2001.
North Carolina * - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Ohio - Local jurisdictions are allowed to enact a ban - Brooklyn, North Olmstead (hands-free use included) and Walton Hills have passed full bans.
Oklahoma - State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting bans.
Oregon - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age with a Learner or Provisional License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use. State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting bans.
Pennsylvania - Local jurisdictions are allowed to enact a ban - Conshohocken, Lebanon and West Conshohocken have passed either partial or full bans.
Rhode Island * - Drivers under 18 yrs. of age are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Tennessee * - Drivers with a Learners Permit or Intermediate License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Texas * - School bus drivers with passanger(s) under 18 yrs. of age are banned from using cell phones. Drivers under 18 yrs. of age with a Learners Permit or Intermediate License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Utah - Local jurisdictions prohibited from enacting bans. Current law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a hand-held cell phone or other activities not related to driving.
Virginia * - Bus drivers are banned from using cell phones. Drivers with an Intermediate License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Washington - Banned from July 2008. Text messaging also banned.
West Virginia - Drivers with a Learners Permit or Intermediate License are banned from all types of cell phone use, including hands-free use.
Wisconsin - Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998. Bill to ban younger drivers only being debated.
Wyoming - Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but never debated.
* School bus drivers are banned from using cell phones.
Sources: Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
