Which states in the U.S. ban handheld cell phone use while driving? The map below shows where it’s banned, and where it’s not, across the country. The states in purple all have a straight out ban on handheld phone use while driving. The red colored states have some type of ban, while the states in tea allow cell phone use while driving.
Below is a table that lists information for each state in the U.S.
State | Handheld Ban | Handheld Enforcement | Texting Ban (All Drivers) | Texting Enforcement | Novices (All phones) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | 16, or 17 w/ Intermediate license <6 months |
Alaska | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | No |
Arizona | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Arkansas | 18 – 20 years old (primary), school and work zones (secondary) | Primary, Secondary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
California | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Colorado | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Connecticut | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Yes |
D.C. | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Learners permit |
Delaware | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Learner or intermediate license |
Florida | Yes | Primary | Yes | Secondary | No |
Georgia | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | No |
Hawaii | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Idaho | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | No |
Illinois | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <19 |
Indiana | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | <21 |
Iowa | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | Restricted or intermediate license |
Kansas | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | Learner or intermediate license |
Kentucky | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Louisiana | Learner or intermediate license in school zones only | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Maine | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Learner or intermediate license |
Maryland | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Massachusetts | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Michigan | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | Level 1 or 2 License |
Minnesota | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 or provisional license |
Mississippi | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | No |
Missouri | No | N/A | No | N/A | No |
Montana | No | N/A | No | N/A | No |
Nebraska | No | N/A | Yes | Secondary | <18 w/ Learner or intermediate license |
Nevada | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | No |
New Hampshire | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
New Jersey | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Permit or provisional license |
New Mexico | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | Learner or provisional license |
New York | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | No |
North Carolina | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | <18 |
North Dakota | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Ohio | No | N/A | Yes | Secondary | <18 |
Oklahoma | Learner or intermediate license only | Primary | Yes | Primary | No |
Oregon | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Pennsylvania | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | No |
Rhode Island | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
South Carolina | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | No |
South Dakota | No | N/A | Yes | Secondary | Learner or Intermediate License |
Tennessee | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Learner or Intermediate License |
Texas | In school crossing zones and on public school property only | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Utah | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Vermont | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Virginia | In highway work zones only | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 |
Washington | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | Learner or intermediate license |
West Virginia | Yes | Primary | Yes | Primary | <18 w/ Learner or Intermediate License |
Wisconsin | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | Learner or intermediate license |
Wyoming | No | N/A | Yes | Primary | No |