Cell Phone Laws by State
Alabama [Top]
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Alaska
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Alaska Stat. §28.35.161
- Drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone for composing, transmitting, or reading text messages.
Arizona [Top]
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Arkansas [Top]
Ark. Code § 27-51-1504 ("Paul's Law")
- Drivers are prohibited from operating a vehicle while using a hand-held cell phone in non-emergency situations.
Ark. Code § 6-19-120
- An individual may not operate a school bus while using a cell phone in non-emergency situations.
California [Top]
Cal. Veh. Code § 23123
- It is unlawful to use a wireless telephone in non-emergency situations while driving a motor vehicle unless that telephone is hands-free and used in that manner while driving.
Cal. Veh. Code § 23123.5
- It is unlawful to operate a motor vehicle while using a text messaging device to compose, read, or transmit text messages or other electronic messages
Cal Veh. Code § 23124
- It is unlawful for a person under the age of 18 to operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if the device is hands-free.
Cal Veh. Code § 23125
- It is unlawful for a person to operate a transit vehicle or school bus while using a wireless telephone.
Colorado [Top]
Col. Rev. Stat. § 42-4-239
- Drivers under the age of eighteen are prohibited from using a cell phone for a non-emergency purpose while operating a motor vehicle.
- Drivers of all ages are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while engaging in text messaging or any other manual data entry or transmission.
Connecticut [Top]
Ct. Gen. Stat. § 14-296aa
- Drivers are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone to engage in a phone call for a non-emergency purpose while operating a motor vehicle on public highways.
- Drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone, regardless of whether it is hands-free, to engage in a phone call for a non-emergency purpose while operating a school bus carrying passengers.
- Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone in any manner, regardless of whether it is hands-free, for a non-emergency purpose while operating a motor vehicle on public highways.
- Drivers are prohibited from using a text messaging or electronic messaging device for a non-emergency purpose while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway.
Delaware [Top]
21 Del. Code § 2710
- Drivers under the age of 18 and possessing a learner's permit may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone, text messaging device, or substantially similar electronic device.
21 Del. Code § 4176B
- School bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while transporting children.
District of Columbia [Top]
D.C. Code § 50-1731.04
- Drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone or other mobile device in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle unless the phone or device is hands-free.
D.C. Code § 1731.05
- It is unlawful to operate a school bus while using a cell phone or other mobile device, even if the phone or device is hands-free.
- Drivers possessing a learner's permit are prohibited from using a cell phone or other mobile device while operating a motor vehicle, even if the phone or device is hands-free.
Florida [Top]
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Georgia [Top]
Ga. Code § 40-6-165
- School bus drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a school bus carrying passengers.
Hawaii [Top]
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Idaho [Top]
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Illinois [Top]
Ill. Veh. Code § 12-610.1
- Drivers under the age of 19 and possessing a learner's permit are prohibited from using a cell phone in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle.
- Regardless of age, drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone or in a highway construction or maintenance speed zone.
Ill. Veh. Code § 12-610.2
- Drivers are prohibited from using an electronic messaging device in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle, unless that device is hands-free or voice activated.
Indiana [Top]
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Iowa [Top]
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Kansas [Top]
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Kentucky [Top]
Ky. Rev. Stat § 281A.205
- School bus drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone in a non-emergency situation while operating the school bus on a highway and transporting children.
Louisiana [Top]
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:300.5
- Individuals are prohibited from writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication while operating a motor vehicle.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:300.6
- Individuals who hold a Class E learner's permit are prohibited from using a cell phone to engage in a call in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle, unless the cell phone is hands-free.
La. Rev. Stat. § 32:300.7
- No person 17 years of age or younger may use a cell phone to engage in a call or conduct text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle.
Maine [Top]
Me. Rev. Stat. § 1304
- Drivers possessing instruction permits are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Me. Rev. Stat § 2116
- Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Maryland [Top]
Md. Code Transp. § 21-1124
- It is unlawful for a holder of a learner's permit or provisional driver's license who is under the age of 18 years to use a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.
- The violator may have his/her license suspended or restricted.
Md. Code Transp. § 21-1124.1
- It is unlawful for any individual to use a text messaging device to write or send a text message while operating a motor vehicle
Massachusetts [Top]
Mass. Gen. Laws 90 § 7B
- No person shall operate a school bus while using a cell phone in non-emergency situations.
Michigan [Top]
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Minnesota [Top]
Minn. Stat. § 171.05
- A provisional license or permit holder, under the age of 18, is prohibited from operating a vehicle while using a cell phone in non-emergency situations.
Minn. Stat. § 169.475
- A person is prohibited from text messaging or otherwise composing, sending, or reading an electronic message on a cell phone in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle.
Minn. Stat. § 169.443
- School bus drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a school bus.
Mississippi [Top]
Miss. Code § 63-1-73
- A person driving under a temporary driving permit, learning permit, or intermediate license, may not use a cell phone of PDA to send or receive text messages in non-emergency situations while operating a motor vehicle.
Missouri [Top]
Mo. Stat. 304.820
- No person twenty-one years of age or younger may send, read, or write a text message or other electronic message in non-emergency situations while operating a motor vehicle upon state highways.
Montana [Top]
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Nebraska [Top]
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Nevada [Top]
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New Hampshire [Top]
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 265.105-a
- Drivers are prohibited from writing a text message on a cell phone or electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
New Jersey [Top]
N.J. Stat. § 39:4-97.3
- It is unlawful to use a wireless telephone in non-emergency situations while driving a motor vehicle unless that telephone is hands-free and used in that manner while driving.
N.J. Stat. § 39:3B-25
- A driver is prohibited from operating a school bus while using a cell phone in a non-emergency situation.
New Mexico [Top]
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New York [Top]
N.Y. Veh. & Traf. Law § 1225-c
- It is unlawful to use a wireless telephone in non-emergency situations while driving a motor vehicle unless that telephone is hands-free and used in that manner while driving.
North Carolina [Top]
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.3
- Drivers under the age of 18 years are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone or any cell phone-related technology in a non-emergency situation.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.4
- No person shall operate a school bus on a public street or highway while using a cell phone or cell phone-related technology in a non-emergency situation.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.4A
- It is unlawful for any person to read or send text messages or other electronic messages while operating a motor vehicle.
North Dakota [Top]
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Ohio [Top]
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Oklahoma [Top]
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Oregon [Top]
Ore. Rev. Stat. 811.507
- No person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone for non-emergency purposes without a hands-free accessory.
- Drivers under the age of 18 may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone for non-emergency purposes, regardless of whether they are using a hands-free accessory.
Pennsylvania [Top]
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Rhode Island [Top]
R.I. Gen. Laws 1956 § 31-22-11.9
- Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a cell phone in non-emergency situations while operating a motor vehicle.
R.I. Gen. Laws 1956 § 31-22-11.8
- No person shall operate a school bus transporting children while using a cell phone in non-emergency situations.
R.I. Gen. Laws 1956 § 31-22-30
- Drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone to compose, send, or read text messages.
- Drivers may utilize a hands-free cell phone to compose or send text messages.
South Carolina [Top]
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South Dakota [Top]
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Tennessee [Top]
Tenn. Code § 55-50-311
- Drivers possessing a learner's permit are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Tenn. Code § 55-8-199
- Drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a hand-held cell phone or PDA to read, compose, or transmit text messages.
Tenn. Code § 55-8-192
- Drivers are prohibited from operating a school bus to transport children on any highway while using a hand-held cell phone.
Texas [Top]
- Drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle in a school zone.
- Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.
Utah [Top]
Utah Code § 41-6a-1715
- A person is guilty of careless driving if the person commits a moving violation while using a cell phone, unless the cell phone is hands-free
Utah Code § 41-6a-1716
- Drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone for text messaging in a non-emergency situation while operating a motor vehicle.
Vermont [Top]
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Virginia [Top]
Va. Code § 46.2-1078.1
- Drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle on highways while using a cell phone to compose, read, or transmit a text message or email in a non-emergency situation.
Va. Code § 46.2-334.01
- Drivers under the age of 18 and possessing a learner's permit or provisional license shall not operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone or any other wireless device.
Washington [Top]
Rev. Code Wash. 46.61.667
- Drivers are prohibited from using a hand-held cell phone for non-emergency purposes while operating a motor vehicle.
- Drivers are permitted to use hands-free cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.
Rev. Code Wash. 46.61.668
- Drivers are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while sending, reading, or writing a text message for non-emergency purposes.
West Virginia [Top]
- Drivers under the age of 18 holding a level one instruction permit are prohibited from operating a motor vehicle while using a cell phone in any manner for non-emergency purposes.
Wisconsin [Top]
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Wyoming [Top]
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