State Laws

Alabama

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Alabama defines novice drivers as those age 16 or 17 with an intermediate license less than 6 months

For more information regarding Alabama's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/al.html

Alaska

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding Alaska's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ak.html

American Samoa

• No distracted driving laws

For more information regarding American Samoa's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/as.html

Arizona

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for school bus drivers (Primary law)

For more information regarding Arizona's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/az.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Arkansas defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Arkansas's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ar.html

California

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: California defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding California's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ca.html

Colorado

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Colorado defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Colorado's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/co.html

Connecticut

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Connecticut defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 or with a learner's permit.

For more information regarding Connecticut's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ct.html

Delaware

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Delaware defines novice drivers as those with a learner's permit or intermediate license holders.

For more information regarding Delaware's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/de.html

District of Columbia

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (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 drivers of all ages (Primary)

Note: D.C. defines novice drivers as those with a learner's permit.

For more information regarding District of Columbia's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/dc.html

Florida

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Secondary law)

For more information regarding Florida's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/fl.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Georgia defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Georgia's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ga.html

Guam

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding Guam's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/gu.html

Hawaii

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding Hawaii's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/hi.html

Idaho

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• 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.

For more information regarding Idaho's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/id.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Illinois bans the use of cell phones while driving in a school zone or in a highway construction zone
• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Illinois defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 19.

For more information regarding Illinois's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/il.html

Indiana

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Indiana defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Indiana's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/in.html

Iowa

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Secondary)

Note: Iowa defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages with a restricted or intermediate license.

For more information regarding Iowa's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ia.html

Kansas

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Kansas defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages with a learner's permit or intermediate license.

For more information regarding Kansas's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ks.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Kentucky defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Kentucky's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ky.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Louisiana defines novice drivers as those drivers within their 1st year of licensure

For more information regarding Louisiana's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/la.html

Maine

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Maine has passed a law making it against the law to drive while distracted in the state

Note: Maine defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Maine's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/me.html

Maryland

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Maryland defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license

For more information regarding Maryland's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/md.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Massachusetts defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license

For more information regarding Massachusetts's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ma.html

Michigan

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (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
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)

For more information regarding Michigan's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/mi.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Minnesota defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license

For more information regarding Minnesota's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/mn.html

Mississippi

• Ban on texting for all drivers (Primary law) eff. 7/2015
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers (Primary law)

Note: Mississippi defines novice drivers as drivers with a learner's permit or provisional license

For more information regarding Mississippi's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ms.html

Missouri

• Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)

Note: Missouri defines novice drivers as drivers age 21 and under

For more information regarding Missouri's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/mo.html

Montana

• No current bans for distracted driving

For more information regarding Montana's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/mt.html

Nebraska

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Secondary law)

Note: Nebraska defines novice drivers as those under the age of 18 with a learner's permit or provisional license

For more information regarding Nebraska's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ne.html

Nevada

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding Nevada's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nv.html

New Hampshire

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law, eff. 7/2015)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law, eff. 7/2015)

Dealt with as a distracted driving issue; New Hampshire enacted a comprehensive distracted driving law

For more information regarding New Hampshire's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nh.html

New Jersey

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: New Jersey defines novice drivers as those under the age of 21 with a GDL or a provisional license.

For more information regarding New Jersey's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nj.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding New Mexico's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nm.html

New York

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding New York's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ny.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: North Carolina defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding North Carolina's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nc.html

North Dakota

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: North Dakota defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding North Dakota's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nd.html

Northern Mariana Isl.

• No distracted driving laws

For more information regarding Northern Mariana Isl.'s state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/nmi.html

Ohio

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Secondary law)

For more information regarding Ohio's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/oh.html

Oklahoma

• Handheld ban for drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary Law) eff. 11/15

For more information regarding Oklahoma's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ok.html

Oregon

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Oregon defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Oregon's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/or.html

Pennsylvania

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding Pennsylvania's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/pa.html

Puerto Rico

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages

For more information regarding Puerto Rico's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/pr.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Rhode Island defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Rhode Island's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ri.html

South Carolina

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding South Carolina's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/sc.html

South Dakota

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Secondary law)

For more information regarding South Dakota's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/sd.html

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 drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Tennessee defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages with a learner's permit or intermediate license.

For more information regarding Tennessee's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/tn.html

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 handheld 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 drivers of all ages at the intermediate stage, first 12 months.

For more information regarding Texas's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/tx.html

Utah

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (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
• Ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)

For more information regarding Utah's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/ut.html

Vermont

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Vermont defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Vermont's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/vt.html

Virgin Islands

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

For more information regarding Virgin Islands's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/vi.html

Virginia

• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for school bus drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Secondary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Virginia defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages under the age of 18.

For more information regarding Virginia's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/va.html

Washington

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)

Note: Washington defines novice drivers as those with a learner's permit or in the intermediate state.

For more information regarding Washington's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/wa.html

West Virginia

• Handheld ban for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)

Note: West Virginia defines novice drivers as drivers of all ages with a learner's permit or intermediate license.

For more information regarding West Virginia's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/wv.html

Wisconsin

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)
• Ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)

For more information regarding Wisconsin's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/wi.html

Wyoming

• Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law)
• Ban on cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Primary law)

For more information regarding Wyoming's state laws click here: http://ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/bystate/wy.html