{"id":385,"date":"2015-07-16T18:40:19","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T18:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/?p=385"},"modified":"2026-01-08T13:22:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T13:22:01","slug":"cell-phone-laws-by-state-bans-while-driving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/cell-phone-laws-by-state-bans-while-driving\/","title":{"rendered":"Cell Phone Laws By State: There&#8217;s Work to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that motor vehicle crashes caused by\u00a0distracted drivers kill an average of 9 people and injure over 1,153 people EVERY DAY in the U.S.?! While there have been improvements in the number of deaths year over year, the changes have been generally insignificant:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>In 2011, distraction-affected crashes resulted in 3,360 deaths<\/li>\n<li>In 2012, distraction-affected crashes resulted in 3,328 deaths <em>(-.9%)<\/em><\/li>\n<li>In 2013, distraction-affected crashes resulted in 3,154 deaths <em>(-5.2%)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Many people think that cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle is the exclusive definition of distracted driving but this is not entirely true. It is the dominant cause but there are many other types of distractions like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Other occupants &#8211; includes conversing with or looking at passengers in the vehicle<\/li>\n<li>Moving objects in the vehicle like dropped object, moving pet, insect, cargo, etc<\/li>\n<li>Adjusting audio or climate controls, windows, mirrors, navigational devices, etc<\/li>\n<li>General carelessness, inattention, or daydreaming while driving<\/li>\n<li>Eating or drinking in the vehicle while it is in motion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>So, what\u2019s the solution? While gluing a driver&#8217;s eyes to the windshield and their hands to the steering wheel seems like a good idea (<em>don\u2019t ya think!<\/em>), personal responsibility is important in reducing distractions while driving. When it comes to the dominant factor though, cell phone use, we do believe that states should use the full force of the law to <em>encourage<\/em> that personal responsibility thing. Unfortunately, all states are failing to do this even though most states have one ban or more on cell phone use while driving.<\/p>\n<h2>State Laws for Cell Phone Use While Driving<\/h2>\n<p>Most states implement cell phone laws to ban usage by drivers in two levels:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A \u201c<strong>Primary<\/strong>\u201d ban means that an officer can stop you simply if they see you using your cell phone or other hand-held device in a way prohibited by the laws of that state (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>but even primary laws don&#8217;t cut it<\/em><\/span>).<\/li>\n<li>A \u201c<strong>Secondary\u201d<\/strong> bans mean that an\u00a0officer can only issue you a ticket for unlawful\u00a0cell phone use while driving if you\u2019ve already been stopped for another reason\u00a0(i<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>n other words, an ineffective law<\/em><\/span>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>States further segment the application of primary and secondary enforcement of cell phone laws by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Age and\/or experience<\/strong> \u2013 Many states use age as benchmark along with the type of license a minor holds\u00a0to ban certain types of cell phone use (<span style=\"color: #800000;\"><em>because adult&#8217;s have proven to be such effective drivers even with their faces burred in the phone<\/em><\/span>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Vehicle driven<\/strong>\u2013 This classification is split into school bus drivers and everyone else. \u201cAll drivers\u201d indicates that the ban is applied to the driver of any vehicle (<em><span style=\"color: #800000;\">because school buses are the only abnormally large vehicles on the road; trucks are just\u00a0fairies\u00a0fluttering on the roads<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use type<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cHands-held\u201d refers to use of the actual phone in your hand as opposed to \u201cHands-free\u201d which refers to using a blue tooth device for calls or voice-to-text. Many states ban hand-held use but none currently ban hands-free use\u00a0<span style=\"color: #800000;\">which has been proven to be <a style=\"color: #800000;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.nsc.org\/learn\/NSC-Initiatives\/Pages\/distracted-driving-how-cell-phone-distracted-driving-affects-the-brain.aspx\"><strong>no<\/strong> safer than hand-held use<\/a><\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>STATE<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>LAWS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>EXCLUSIONS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>PENALTIES<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ALABAMA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers 16 or 17 years old holding an intermediate license for less than 6 months<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver 18 or older for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$25 for the first offense. $50 for the second.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ALASKA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Misdemeanor offense if proven to be texting while driving. Fine up to $5,000 and up to one year in jail.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ARIZONA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">All hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver not operating a school bus<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>(when we know, you\u2019ll know)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ARKANSAS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for licensed drivers ages 18 \u2013 20<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for licensed drivers over the age of 18 not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than textingHand-held cell phone use allowed for licensed drivers over the age of 20 not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>(when we know, you\u2019ll know)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CALIFORNIA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for licensed drivers 18 or older who are\u00a0 not operating a school bus<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$161 for the first offense. $285 for the second.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>COLORADO<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for licensed drivers younger than 18 years<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 for the first offense. $100 for the second.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>CONNECTICUT<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for licensed drivers 18 or older and not operating a school bus<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$150 for the first offense. $300 for the second.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>DELAWARE<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone for drivers with a learner or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for all drivers holding a full-privilege license and who are not operating a school bus and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 to $106 for the first offense. Up to $300 for the second.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for those holding a learners permit<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for all drivers holding a full-privilege license and who are not operating a school bus<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for the first offense. $200 for the second if within 18 months of first offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>FLORIDA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">All hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$30 to $60 plus court fees.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>GEORGIA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban any cell phone use for school bus drivers and drivers younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">All hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18 not operating a school bus and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$150 for the first offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>HAWAII<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$250 for first offense but if in school or construction zone, $300.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>IDAHO<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">All hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$200 for first offense with the possibility of being jailed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>ILLINOIS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers and any driver under 19 years of age<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for licensed drivers 19 or older and not operating a school bus<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>(when we know, you\u2019ll know)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>INDIANA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 21<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 21 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Up to $500 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>IOWA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use\u00a0 for all novice drivers who have a restricted or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full-privilege license and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$30 each offense regardless of number of times committed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>KANSAS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on all cell phone use for any novice drivers that have a Learner or Intermediate License<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full-privilege license and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$60 for first offense. $120 to $240 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>KENTUCKY<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban any cell phone use for all drivers under 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver over the age of 18 not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$25 for first offense. $50 plus court fees for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>LOUISIANA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for drivers with a learner or intermediate license (all ages)<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18 years and those in their first year holding any type of license<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held cell phone use allowed for any driver over the age of 18 with a full privilege license for more than a year, not operating a school bus, and for any purpose other than textingHands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18 not operating a school bus and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$175 for first offense. $500 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MAINE<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers with a learner or intermediate License<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full-privilege license and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$250 or more for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MARYLAND<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$75 to $175 or more for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MASSACHUSETTS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all drivers under 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver over the age of 18 not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense. $120 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MICHIGAN<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers with a level 1 or 2 License<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers with a full privilege license not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense. $200 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MINNESOTA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers that are younger than 18 and have a learner or provisional License<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers 18 or older with a full privilege license not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$150 each offense regardless of number of times committed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MISSISSIPPI<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$25 for first offense (<em>will change to $100 in 2016<\/em>).<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MISSOURI<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers younger than 21<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Cell phone use allowed for all drivers and for any reason except those 21\u00a0 or younger who cannot use a cell phone while driving to text but can use it while driving for anything else<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$300 for first offense<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>MONTANA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><u>NO BANS <\/u><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Use your cell phone, anytime, at any age, no matter what you drive with no legal penalty.<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>No fines except of course possibly injury or death to you or others if you crash<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NEBRASKA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on any cell phone use for all drivers under 18 and who have a learner or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers 18 or older with a full privilege license and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$200 to $500 in addition to 3 points against you Nebraska driver\u2019s license<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NEVADA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for all licensed drivers for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 for first offense. $100 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NEW HAMPSHIRE<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense. $500 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NEW JERSEY<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers with a permit or provisional License<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for all drivers holding a full-privilege license and who are not operating a school bus and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$200 to $400 for first offense. $400 to $600for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NEW MEXICO<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for any vehicle registered in the state<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers with a learner or provisional License<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers a full privilege license and who have their vehicle registered in another state for any purpose other than textingHands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers with a full privileged license with a vehicle registered in the state and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NEW YORK<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for all licensed drivers for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 to $250 for first or second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NORTH CAROLINA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all drivers under 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18, not operating a school bus, and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>(when we know, you\u2019ll know)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>NORTH DAKOTA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18 for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first and possibly all consecutive offenses.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>OHIO<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18 for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$150 to $300 with a 60-day suspension of license for teen drivers for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>OKLAHOMA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for drivers with a learner or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>P<\/em><\/strong><em>rimary ban on texting for all drivers &#8211; <u>effective Nov. 2015<\/u><\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand held and hands free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full privilege licenseHands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver including those with learners or intermediate licenses<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>$100 for first offense plus suspension or loss of license for teens (effective Nov. 2015)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>OREGON<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$250 for first offense plus additional fees ranging up to $110.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>PENNSYLVANIA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Any cell phone use allowed by any licensed driver for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>RHODE ISLAND<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers that are younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18, not operating a school bus, and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense. $150 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SOUTH CAROLINA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Any cell phone use allowed by any licensed driver for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$25 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>SOUTH DAKOTA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on any cell phone use for drivers with a learner or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full-privilege license and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>TENNESSEE<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers that have a learner or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers with a full privilege license not operating a school bus and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$50 plus $10 court cost for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>TEXAS<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all novice drivers that are younger than 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers when they have passengers that are under 17<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers who are under 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for school bus drivers who have passengers that are under 17<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use in school zones for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free and hands-held cell use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 who are not operating a school bus with passengers under the age of 17Hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver (except school bus drivers and anyone under 18) even in school zones<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$25 to $99 for first offense. $100 to $200 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>UTAH<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all drivers under 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18, not operating a school bus, and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>VERMONT<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers\u00a0 under 18 years of age<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$200 for first offense. $250 to $500 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>VIRGINIA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>S<\/strong>econdary ban on any cell phone use for drivers under the age of 18<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for school bus drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hand-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any licensed driver over the age of 18, not operating a school bus, and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$125 to $250 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>WASHINGTON<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for all drivers with a learners or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full privilege license<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$124 for first offense.<em>(penalties for secondary offense unknown)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>WEST VIRGINIA<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on hand-held cell phone use for all drivers<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers younger than 18 with a learners or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-free cell phone use allowed for drivers over the age of 18 with a full privilege license and for any reason other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$100 for first offense. $200 to $300 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>WISCONSIN<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on any cell phone use for drivers holding a learner or intermediate license<\/p>\n<p><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Hands-held and hands-free cell phone use allowed for any driver with a full-privilege license and for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">$20 to $40 for first offense. $50 to $100 for second offense.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"195\"><span style=\"color: #3366ff;\"><strong>WYOMING<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><strong>P<\/strong>rimary ban on texting for all drivers<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\">Any cell phone use allowed by any licensed driver for any purpose other than texting<\/td>\n<td width=\"195\"><em>(when we know, you\u2019ll know)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>While we hate to be \u201cnegative-nancys\u201d and we acknowledge that progress has been made, there is still a lot of work to do in ALL states to strengthen the bans on cell phone use. Notice how the third-column (EXCLUSIONS) is <u>not<\/u> empty for any state. That means that there are always going to be drivers who can use their cells even if its hands free. As the crashes, and unfortunately injuries and deaths, continue year after year, we will see a complete ban on any cell phone use for every driver eventually. Sooner would be better than later of course.<\/p>\n<h2>Distractive Driving Federal Grant Program<\/h2>\n<p>The U.S. Department of Transportation established the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nhtsa.gov\/About+NHTSA\/Press+Releases\/2012\/U.S.+Department+of+Transportation+Announces+New+Federal+Grant+Program+to+Help+States+Fight+Distracted+Driving\">Distractive Driving Federal Grant Program in 2013<\/a> as a way to help enforce anti-distracted driving laws and anti-texting statutes. In order for a state to qualify, the state must have already established a <u>primary<\/u> law against distracted driving or a law banning texting while driving. Only 7 states received the grant because their laws met the tougher federal standards such as banning cell phone use even when the car is stopped at traffic light, for instance.<\/p>\n<p>Currently, there are other federal programs in the works that will help reduce vehicle crashes caused\u00a0by distracted drivers\u00a0to support states in their efforts to do that. Just this year, two Congressmen reintroduced a bill to amend some of the requirements states have to meet in order to qualify for federal grants to tackle distracted driving. The <a href=\"http:\/\/engel.house.gov\/latest-news1\/reps-engel-deutch-and-desaulnier-introduce-distracted-driving-prevention-act-of-2015\/\">Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2015<\/a> shows promise in getting more states qualified to receive aid to fight this national epidemic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that motor vehicle crashes caused by\u00a0distracted drivers kill an average of 9 people and injure over 1,153 people EVERY DAY in the U.S.?! While there have been&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,433,434,431],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-385","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-distracted-driving","7":"category-laws","8":"category-technology","9":"category-texting-and-driving"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.5 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Cell Phone Laws By State: There&#039;s Work to Do<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"View a table of cell phone laws and bans by state and penalties for violating these laws.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/cell-phone-laws-by-state-bans-while-driving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cell Phone Laws By State: There&#039;s Work to Do\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"View a table of cell phone laws and bans by state and penalties for violating these laws.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.etags.com\/blog\/cell-phone-laws-by-state-bans-while-driving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"eTags - 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