Hands-Free Driving Laws All 50 States – Cheatsheet

Driving while distracted (DWD) has always been a very real danger for anyone who takes to the road.

It’s all too easy to get caught up in a conversation with your passengers or passing scenery and as many experienced drivers can testify, things can go wrong very quickly when you take your eyes off the road for even a few seconds.

Over the past decade however, with the proliferation of cell phones and other handheld wireless devices into everyone’s lives, DWD has morphed from random and isolated to a persistent and very dangerous problem.

Consider the following facts:

  • Reaction time for drivers using a cell phone is the same as having a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, which is the nationwide legal limit for DUI/DWI convictions.
  • If you use a cell phone while you drive, you are four times more likely to be injured in a crash.
  • Cell phones reduce a driver’s attentionto driving by 37%.
  • If you text while you drive, you are 23% more likely to cause an accident.
  • DWD is cited as the cause in 25% of police crash reports.

Despite this overwhelming body of evidence, people still amazingly allow themselves to drive distracted. Recently though, many states have begun to proactively pass legislation geared towards reducing or eliminating distracted driving caused by mobile device use.

The best advice to help alleviate this problem is not to add to it and if you absolutely have to talk or text, safely pull your vehicle over and park. This is the smartest way to ensure you don’t endanger yourself and others.

Do you know your state’s distracted driver or hands-free laws? Just click on your state to find out what, if any, mobile device restrictions have been enacted and stay informed!

Table of Contents:

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Wisconsin
West Virginia
Wyoming

Alabama Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Alabama Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Alabama.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo Ban16 to 17 years old with less than six months driving experience.No BanNo Ban16 to 17 years old with less than six months driving experience.

Alaska Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Alaska Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Alaska.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanYESYESYES

Arizona Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Arizona Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Arizona.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Arkansas Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Arkansas Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Arkansas.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
18 to 20 years oldYESUnder 18 years oldYESYESYES

California Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

California Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in California.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
YESYESUnder 18 years oldYESYESYES

Colorado Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Colorado Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Colorado.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanUnder 18 years oldYESYESYES

Connecticut Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Connecticut Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Connecticut.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew DriversYESYESUnder 18 years old and those with Learners PermitYESYESYES

Delaware Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Delaware Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Delaware.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESThose holding learner’s permits and intermediate licenses.No BanNo BanThose holding learner’s permits and intermediate licenses.

Florida Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Florida Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Florida.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Georgia Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Georgia Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Georgia.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESNo BanNo BanNo BanYES

Hawaii Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Hawaii Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Hawaii.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Idaho Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Idaho Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Idaho.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban


*Idaho utilizes a list of distractions in or on a vehicle, which the officer is supposed to describe in their report.

Illinois Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Illinois Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Illinois.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESUnder 18 years oldYESYESYES


*Illinois prohibits the use of cell phones when driving through school and/or construction zones.

Indiana Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Indiana Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Indiana.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo Ban18 years old or youngerNo BanNo Ban18 years old or younger

Iowa Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Iowa Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Iowa.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanRestricted or intermediate licenseesYESYESYES

Kansas Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Kansas Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Kansas.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanLearner or intermediate license holdersNo BanNo BanLearner or intermediate license holders

Kentucky Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Kentucky Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Kentucky.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYES18 years old or youngerYESYESYES

Louisiana Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Louisiana Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Louisiana.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESYESYESYESYES

Maine Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Maine Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Maine.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo Ban18 years old or youngerNo Ban18 years old or youngerNo Ban


*Maine has a distracted driver law.

Maryland Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Maryland Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Maryland.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo Ban18 years old or younger or those with Learners or Provisional LicensesYESYESYES

Massachusetts Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Massachusetts Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Massachusetts.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESNo BanNo BanNo BanYES

Michigan Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Michigan Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Michigan.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo Ban*YESYESYES


*Teens with a probationary license, who have caused an accident or received a ticket due to cell phone, may not use a cell phone while driving.

Minnesota Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Minnesota Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Minnesota.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYES18 years old or younger or those with Learners or Provisional LicensesYESYESYES

Mississippi Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Mississippi Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Mississippi.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanThose with Learner or Provisional licenses

Missouri Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Missouri Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Missouri.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanAnyone 21 and under

Montana Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Montana Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Montana.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Nebraska Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Nebraska Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Nebraska.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanAnyone under 18 who have a Learners or Provisional licenseYESYESYES

Nevada Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Nevada Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Nevada.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

New Hampshire Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

New Hampshire Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in New Hampshire.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanYESYESYES



*New Hampshire has a comprehensive distracted driving law.

New Jersey Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

New Jersey Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in New Jersey.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
YESYESAnyone under 21 years old with a GDL or Provisional licenseYESYESYES

New Mexico Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

New Mexico Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in New Mexico.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
New Mexico driversNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

New York Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

New York Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in New York.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
YESNo BanNo BanYESYESYES

North Carolina Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

North Carolina Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in North Carolina.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESLicensees under 18 years oldYESYESYES

North Dakota Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

North Dakota Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in North Dakota.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Ohio Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Ohio Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Ohio.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Oklahoma Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Oklahoma Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Oklahoma.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Oregon Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Oregon Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Oregon.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
YESNo BanDrivers under 18 years oldYESYESYES

Pennsylvania Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Pennsylvania Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Pennsylvania.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Rhode Island Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Rhode Island Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Rhode Island.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESDrivers under 18 years oldYESYESYES

South Carolina Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

South Carolina Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in South Carolina.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban


*South Carolina has Distracted/Inattention attributes under Contributing Factors.

South Dakota Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

South Dakota Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in South Dakota.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo BanNo Ban

Tennessee Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Tennessee Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Tennessee.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYESThose with Learners or Intermediate licensesYESYESYES

Texas Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Texas Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Texas.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanAnyone with passengers under 17 years oldIntermediate license, 1st yearNo BanAnyone with passengers under 17 years oldIntermediate license, 1st year


*Texas bans the use of cell phones in school zones.

Utah Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Utah Cell Phone/Texting Laws*

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Utah.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo Ban16 to 17 years old with less than six months driving experience.No BanNo Ban16 to 17 years old with less than six months driving experience.


*Utah has a distracted driving law, which defines careless driving as committing a moving violation while using a cell phone that isn’t directly related to driving.

Vermont Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Vermont Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Vermont.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYES18 years and youngerYESYESYES

Virginia Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Virginia Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Virginia.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanYES18 years and youngerYESYESYES

Washington Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Washington Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Washington.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
YESNo BanLearners or Intermediate license holdersYESYESYES

Wisconsin Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Wisconsin Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Wisconsin.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanYESYESYES

West Virginia Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

West Virginia Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in West Virginia.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanLearner or Intermediate license holdersNo BanNo BanYES

Wyoming Hands-Free Driving Laws and Requirements

Wyoming Cell Phone/Texting Laws

Use the following convenient table to see what and what isn’t permitted in Wyoming.

HandheldsAll Cell PhonesText Messaging
 School Bus DriversNew DriversAll DriversSchool Bus DriversNew Drivers
No BanNo BanNo BanYESYESYES