STATE LAWS
Click on an individual state or territory to learn more on its specific laws.
39 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam ban text messaging for all drivers. Twelve of these laws were enacted in 2010 alone.
10 states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving.
Note:
A primary law means that an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place. A secondary law means an officer can only issue a ticket if a driver has been pulled over for another violation (like speeding).
Alabama
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law) effective 8/1/12
Note: Alabama defines novice drivers as those age 16 or 17 with an intermediate license less than 6 months
California
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: California defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Connecticut
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Connecticut defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 or with a learner's permit.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
District of Columbia
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary)
Note: D.C. defines novice drivers as those with a learner's permit.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Georgia
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Georgia defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Illinois
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
- Illinois bans the use of cell phones while driving in a school zone or in a highway construction zone
Note: Illinois defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 19.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Iowa
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Secondary)
Note: Indiana defines novice drivers as all drivers with a restricted or intermediate license.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Kentucky
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
- Preemption Law prohibits localities from enacting distracted driving bans
Note: Kentucky defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Maine
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers
- Maine has passed a law making it against the law to drive while distracted in the state
Note: Maine defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
Massachusetts
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Massachusetts defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Minnesota
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Minnesota defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Missouri
- Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
Note: Missouri defines novice drivers as drivers age 21 and under
Nebraska
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Secondary law)
Note: Nebraska defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
New Hampshire
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
New Mexico
- Handheld ban for drivers with in state vehicles
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
North Carolina
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: North Carolina defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Ohio
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law) effective 8/30/2012
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Secondary law) effective 8/30/2012
Oregon
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Oregon defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Tennessee
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Tennessee defines novice drivers as all drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Utah
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
- Utah's law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a handheld cell phone or other activities not related to driving
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Virgin Islands
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the territory legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Washington
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Washington defines novice drivers as those with a learner's permit or in the intermediate state.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Wisconsin
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law) effective 11/1/12
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Alaska
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the state legislature ban on texting click here to be taken to another site.
Arkansas
- Handheld ban for drivers age 18-20 years old (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Arkansas defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Colorado
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Colorado defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Delaware
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Delaware defines novice drivers as those with a learner's permit or intermediate license holders.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Guam
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the territory legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Idaho
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law) effective 7/1/12
- Idaho has a "Distraction in/on Vehicle (List)" attribute as part of its Contributing Circumstances element, and officers are supposed to list the distractions in the narrative.
Indiana
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Indiana defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
Kansas
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Kansas defines novice drivers as all drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Louisiana
- Handheld ban for drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license regardless of age
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law for drivers under 18)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
- Preemption Law prohibits localities from enacting distracted driving bans
Note: Louisiana defines novice drivers as those drivers within their 1st year of licensure
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Maryland
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Secondary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Maryland defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Michigan
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
- In Michigan, teens with probationary licenses whose cell phone usage contributes to a traffic crash or ticket may not use a cell phone while driving
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Mississippi
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Preemption Law prohibits localities from enacting distracted driving bans
Note: Mississippi defines novice drivers as drivers with a learner's permit or provisional license
Nevada
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law) effective 1/1/12
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law) effective 1/1/12
New Jersey
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: New Jersey defines novice drivers as those under the age of 21 with a GDL or a provisional license.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
New York
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
North Dakota
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: North Dakota defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Oklahoma
- Handheld ban for drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license (Primary Law)
- Preemption Law prohibits localities from enacting distracted driving bans
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Rhode Island
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Rhode Island defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Texas
- Ban on all cell phone (handheld and Hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone (handheld and Hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Texas has banned the use of hand-held phones and texting in school zones
Note: In Texas bus driver laws pertain to bus drivers with passengers age 17 and under.
Novice drivers are defined as all drivers at the intermediate stage, first 12 months.
Vermont
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
Note: Vermont defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
Virginia
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Secondary law; Primary law for bus drivers)
Note: Viriginia defines novice drivers as all drivers under the age of 18.
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.
West Virginia
- Handheld ban for all drivers (Secondary law until 7/1/13) effective 7/1/12
- Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law) effective 7/1/12
Note: West Virginia defines novice drivers as all drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license.
Wyoming
- Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law)
To view the state legislature click here to be taken to another site.