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 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | 16 to 17 years old with less than six months driving experience. | No Ban | No Ban | 16 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| 18 to 20 years old | YES | Under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| YES | YES | Under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | Under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
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.
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | Those holding learner’s permits and intermediate licenses. | No Ban | No Ban | Those 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | Under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
*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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | 18 years old or younger | No Ban | No Ban | 18 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | Restricted or intermediate licensees | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | Learner or intermediate license holders | No Ban | No Ban | Learner 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | 18 years old or younger | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | 18 years old or younger | No Ban | 18 years old or younger | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | 18 years old or younger or those with Learners or Provisional Licenses | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban* | YES | YES | YES |
*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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | 18 years old or younger or those with Learners or Provisional Licenses | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | Those 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | Anyone 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | Anyone under 18 who have a Learners or Provisional license | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | YES | YES | YES |
*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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| YES | YES | Anyone under 21 years old with a GDL or Provisional license | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| New Mexico drivers | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| YES | No Ban | No Ban | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | Licensees under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| YES | No Ban | Drivers under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | Drivers under 18 years old | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | No 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | Those with Learners or Intermediate licenses | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | Anyone with passengers under 17 years old | Intermediate license, 1st year | No Ban | Anyone with passengers under 17 years old | Intermediate 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | 16 to 17 years old with less than six months driving experience. | No Ban | No Ban | 16 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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | 18 years and younger | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | YES | 18 years and younger | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| YES | No Ban | Learners or Intermediate license holders | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | YES | YES | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | Learner or Intermediate license holders | No Ban | No Ban | YES |
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.
| Handhelds | All Cell Phones | Text Messaging | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | All Drivers | School Bus Drivers | New Drivers | |
| No Ban | No Ban | No Ban | YES | YES | YES |