This chart outlines state distracted driving laws. Some localities have additional regulations. Enforcement type is also noted.
Handheld Cellphone Use: 34 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. All but Alabama and Missouri are primary enforcement laws — an officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cellphone without any other traffic offense taking place.
All Cellphone Use: No state bans all cellphone use for all drivers, but 36 states and D.C. ban all cellphone use by novice drivers, and 25 states and D.C. prohibit it for school bus drivers.
Text Messaging: Washington was the first state to pass a texting ban in 2007. Currently, 49 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers. All but six have primary enforcement.
Crash Data Collection: All states except two (Connecticut and New Hampshire) include at least one category for distraction on police crash report forms, although the specific data collected varies.
Preemption Laws: Some states have preemption laws that prohibit local jurisdictions from enacting their own distracted driving bans. States with such laws include — but may not be limited to — Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Carolina.
A PDF chart of state distracted driving laws is available for download here.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on distracted driving laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Last updated in July 2023. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023.
Short Term Description
34 states ban drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving. 36 states ban all cellphone use by novice drivers, and 25 states prohibit it for school bus drivers. Currently, 49 states ban text messaging for all drivers.
Northern Mariana Islands
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Northern Mariana Islands
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Northern Mariana Islands
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Northern Mariana Islands
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Wyoming
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Wyoming
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Wyoming
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Wyoming
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Wisconsin
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Wisconsin
Hand-Held Ban?
No, except in work zones.
Wisconsin
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Wisconsin
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
West Virginia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
West Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
West Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
West Virginia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Washington
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Washington
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Washington
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Washington
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Virginia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Virginia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Virginia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Virgin Islands
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Virgin Islands
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Virgin Islands
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Virgin Islands
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Vermont
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Vermont
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Vermont
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Vermont
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Utah
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Utah
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Utah
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Utah
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Texas
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes, in school crossing zones and on public school property only. Primary law.
Texas
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes, with minor passengers. Primary law.
Texas
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Texas
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Tennessee
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. Primary law.
Tennessee
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Tennessee
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Tennessee
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
South Dakota
Hand-Held Ban?
No
South Dakota
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
South Dakota
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
South Dakota
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Secondary law.
South Carolina
Hand-Held Ban?
No
South Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
South Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
South Carolina
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Rhode Island
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Rhode Island
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Rhode Island
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Rhode Island
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Puerto Rico
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Puerto Rico
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Puerto Rico
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Puerto Rico
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Pennsylvania
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Pennsylvania
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Pennsylvania
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Pennsylvania
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Oregon
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Oregon
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Oregon
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Oregon
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Oklahoma
Hand-Held Ban?
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Oklahoma
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Oklahoma
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Oklahoma
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Secondary law.
Ohio
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Ohio
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Ohio
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Ohio
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
North Dakota
Hand-Held Ban?
No
North Dakota
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
North Dakota
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
North Dakota
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
North Carolina
Hand-Held Ban?
No
North Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
North Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
North Carolina
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
New York
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
New York
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
New York
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
New York
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
New Mexico
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
New Mexico
Hand-Held Ban?
No
New Mexico
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
New Mexico
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or provisional license. Primary law.
New Jersey
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
New Jersey
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
New Jersey
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with permit or provisional license. Primary law.
New Jersey
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
New Hampshire
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
New Hampshire
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
New Hampshire
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
New Hampshire
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Nevada
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Nevada
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Nevada
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Nevada
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Nebraska
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Secondary law.
Nebraska
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Nebraska
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Nebraska
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18 with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
Montana
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Montana
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Montana
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Montana
Text Messaging Ban?
No
Missouri
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
Missouri
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
Missouri
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Missouri
Text Messaging Ban?
For drivers 21 and under. Primary law.
All drivers. Secondary Law. (Effective 8/29/2023)
Mississippi
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Mississippi
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Mississippi
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Mississippi
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Minnesota
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Minnesota
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Minnesota
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Minnesota
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner under 18 or provisional licenses. Primary law.
Michigan
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes (effective June 30, 2023)
Michigan
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Michigan
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Michigan
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Massachusetts
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Massachusetts
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Massachusetts
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Massachusetts
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Maryland
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Maryland
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes, handheld ban. Primary law.
Maryland
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Maryland
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Maine
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Maine
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Maine
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Maine
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Louisiana
Hand-Held Ban?
Drivers with learner or intermediate license, regardless of age. Drivers in school zones. Primary law.
Louisiana
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Louisiana
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Louisiana
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Kentucky
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Kentucky
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Kentucky
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Kentucky
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Kansas
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Kansas
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Kansas
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.
Kansas
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Iowa
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Iowa
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Iowa
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Iowa
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with restricted or intermediate license. Primary law.
Indiana
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Indiana
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Indiana
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 21. Primary law.
Indiana
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Illinois
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Illinois
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Illinois
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 19. Primary law.
Illinois
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Idaho
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Idaho
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Idaho
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Idaho
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Hawaii
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Hawaii
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Hawaii
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Hawaii
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Guam
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Guam
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Guam
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Guam
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Georgia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary Law.
Georgia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary Law.
Georgia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Georgia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Florida
Hand-Held Ban?
School and work zones only. Primary law.
Florida
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Florida
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Florida
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
District of Columbia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
District of Columbia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
District of Columbia
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
District of Columbia
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner's permit. Primary law.
Delaware
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Delaware
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Delaware
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers with learner or intermediate licence. Primary law.
Delaware
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Connecticut
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Connecticut
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Connecticut
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Connecticut
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Colorado
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Colorado
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Colorado
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Primary law.
Colorado
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
California
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
California
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
California
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
California
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
Arkansas
Hand-Held Ban?
School and work zones only. Primary law.
Arkansas
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Arkansas
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Drivers under 18. Secondary law.
Arkansas
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Arizona
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary law.
Arizona
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes. Primary law.
Arizona
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
Yes, for instruction and intermediate permit holders under 18. Secondary Law.
Arizona
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Alaska
Hand-Held Ban?
No
Alaska
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Alaska
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Alaska
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Alabama
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Alabama
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Secondary Law.
Alabama
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
Yes
Alabama
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
16, or 17 with Intermediate License for less than 6 months. Primary law.
There are two new mobile traffic safety devices that will be used to detect distracted driving and flash a warning to drivers in D.C. The devices consist of electronic signs mounted on small trailers and equipped with laser scanners capable of discerning whether a cellphone is in the hand of a driver and whether a driver’s eyes are fixed on the road ahead. The devices are similar to electronic sign boards that detect a vehicle’s speed and flash a warning message to the driver to slow down.
The technology boom that turned mobile devices into permanent companions wherever we go also impacted how we drive our cars, and a recent study proves that mobile addiction also fuels distracted driving. A report published by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) highlights a worrying picture. Many drivers can't leave their phones behind when getting behind the wheel, so they continue to use their apps, often taking their eyes off the road.
Traffic deaths declined in the U.S. in 2023 by 3.6% compared with the prior year, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates released April 1. With 40,990 traffic deaths, last year was the third in a row that fatalities exceeded 40,000.NHTSA also released new data on distracted driving and launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while distracted.
Highway safety regulators are kicking off a new campaign to reduce distracted driving, particularly targeting younger drivers who are the most likely to die in distraction-related crashes. Distracted driving dropped by an average of 6.6% in Michigan, Ohio and other states after they passed hands-free laws, according to the research, released last week by the Governors Highway Safety Association and Cambridge Mobile Telematics.
After the implementation of hands-free laws, distracted driving fell in four states. An analysis of data from Alabama, Michigan, Missouri and Ohio following legislation to prevent holding a cellphone while driving found that hands-free laws made a positive impact. Those are the highlights of a new report released on Thursday by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, and Cambridge Mobile Telematics.
The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) released a report Thursday that offers recommendations to address a growing concern when it comes to road safety — distracted driving caused by smartphone use. The report suggests states implement a multi-faceted approach that includes the adoption of strong and clear laws, which CMT says its research confirms has a positive impact on distraction rates.
GHSA and Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) today released a new report addressing the growing concern over smartphone-induced distracted driving. The report proposes states implement a multi-faceted approach to improve road safety that includes the adoption of strong and clear laws, which CMT research confirms have a positive impact on distraction rates.
Driver assistance technologies are increasingly included in new vehicles. But drivers who don't understand these technologies may increase their risk of accidents by turning off safety features or over-relying on convenience features.
Governors Highway Safety Association, Cambridge Mobile Telematics release "A Road Map for Safer Roads" to highlight comprehensive strategies to combat distracted driving
On Monday, April 1, the Tennessee Highway Safety Office is launching “Operation Hands Free” to crack down on violators of Tennessee’s Hands Free Law during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The THSO is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and local law enforcement in this statewide effort to crack down on distracted driving. “Since 2017, we’ve been working with agencies statewide to localize this effort, and now it’s become a common practice," said THSO Director Buddy Lewis.
