Cell Phone Driving Bans, State by State: Where You Break the Law

Each country and U.S. state has distinct rules governing the use of a mobile phone while driving

When you're traveling, make sure to know the local laws about mobile phone use and text messaging while driving. Some infractions carry weighty fines and even potential jail time.

Drive now, talk later

Many of us want the right to talk and text in our cars, but study after study shows that talking or texting while driving causes accidents. Distracted-driving laws result from battles between legislators, law enforcement, insurance companies, and individuals. Opponents of the laws claim that they're a way for law enforcement to beef up revenue from traffic fines at the expense of individual liberties. Whatever your viewpoint is, this guide should help on your next trip.

United States

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When you're traveling, make sure to know the local laws about mobile phone use and text messaging while driving. Some infractions carry weighty fines and even potential jail time.

Drive now, talk later

Many of us want the right to talk and text in our cars, but study after study shows that talking or texting while driving causes accidents. Distracted-driving laws result from battles between legislators, law enforcement, insurance companies, and individuals. Opponents of the laws claim that they're a way for law enforcement to beef up revenue from traffic fines at the expense of individual liberties. Whatever your viewpoint is, this guide should help on your next trip.

United States

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been calling for a complete ban on talking and texting while driving, even with hands-free devices. While no states have a complete ban on cell phones while driving, there are bans in some states for drivers who operate certain kinds of vehicles, as well as for beginning drivers. If you are between 16 to 20 years old and planning a road trip, in some places you can be charged even for talking on a hands-free phone behind the wheel.

This list is derived from available regulations as of December 2011.

Alabama

Novice drivers 16 or 17 years old who have had a drivers license less than six months are under a total cell phone call and texting ban. Upcoming legislation in 2012 may ban all texting.

Alaska

All drivers are banned from text messaging.

ArizonaThere is a ban on all cell phone use for bus drivers, and on text messaging within the city of Phoenix.

ArkansasTexting while driving is banned in Arkansas. Arkansas also bans hand-held phones for drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, and all cell phone use for school bus drivers and drivers under 18. All cell phone use, including hands-free, is illegal in school or highway work zones.

CaliforniaCalifornia bans texting while driving for all drivers and any cell phone use at all for school bus drivers and drivers under 18. They also ban all handheld use of cell phones.

ColoradoColorado bans any cell phone use including hands-free devices, for drivers under 18 and any drivers with an instruction permit. Texting is illegal for everyone.

ConnecticutAll handheld cell use and texting is banned. School bus drivers and drivers under 18 cannot use mobile phones at all, even with a hands-free device. Drivers must not use video game players and DVD players.

DelawareAll handheld cell use, including texting, is banned. School bus drivers and those with a learners or intermediate license cannot use a cell at all.

District of ColumbiaNo handheld cells use is permitted in Washington. School bus drivers and those with learners permits are banned from using cell phoness, while texting is illegal for everyone.

FloridaThere are no prohibitions on texting or use of cell phones.

GeorgiaTexting is banned, as is all mobile phone use for school bus drivers and those under 18. There are no restrictions on handheld cell use for anyone else.