Texting & Driving Laws: Is it Illegal in Your State?
February 12, 2019

↪ View Texting and Driving Laws by State
Texting and driving laws vary dramatically from state to state and case to case. So, what’s the deal? Are new laws preventing texting and driving accidents, or are they pointless? We thought we’d find out how effective these laws and penalties really are.
Did you know: “By taking your eyes off the road for 2 seconds while traveling 65 m.p.h., you will have covered the distance of a little over half a football field. This is the truth. Do the math.”
Which States Ban Texting and Driving?
Everyone. Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes, the CDC says, but they’re not the only ones at fault. A survey by AT&T found that more adults than teens — 49 percent vs. 43 percent — admit they text and drive.
As of 2019, most states have a ban on texting and driving. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 47 states plus Washington D.C. ban text messaging for all drivers. All but four states have primary enforcement, which means the police can pull you over for texting alone — they don’t need another reason, like speeding or not wearing a seatbelt.
Many states are now even banning hand-held use of cell phones and electronic devices altogether. Lawmakers hope that these cell phone laws will cut down on the 391,000 injuries and 3,477 deaths caused each year by distracted driving. While Maryland moves in the right direction to ensure driver safety, there are still three states who have not even banned texting and driving yet. Come on Arizona, Missouri, and Montana!
What Are The Penalties & Fees?
A law is only as strong as the penalty for breaking it. If you get caught texting and driving, the consequences vary dramatically depending on your state. In California, for instance, it’s no big deal. The base fine for texting while driving is $20 for the first offense and $50 for each subsequent offense.
In Alaska, however, texting and driving laws are very serious. Get caught and you could be charged with a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $50,000 fine. Kill someone while you’re texting and driving, and you could be looking at 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Keep in mind that getting charged with texting and driving can also raise your car insurance rates if your state assigns points for a conviction. And if you cause an accident, expect your insurance to go way, way up. Some auto insurance companies, like Allstate, may even start using data collected by your phone while you’re driving to see if you are, in fact, texting and driving. With the use of your smartphone’s gyroscope and accelerometer, they can decipher if you are using your phone when driving. This data can be used to either increase your rates or reward you if you just put the phone down.
Do Distracted Driving Laws Work?
The answer is yes, a group of researchers found out: Having some kind of texting law was linked to a 2.3 percent decrease in overall traffic fatalities for all drivers. They also discovered that…
- Secondary texting-and-driving laws are pretty useless. If a police officer sees you texting but can’t pull you over unless you’re also speeding, chances are you’ll never get caught. Florida’s one of those states with a secondary law, and from the law’s passage in 2013 through Jan. 2015, it resulted in only 2,061 citations statewide.
- Targeting teens seem to work. Specifically banning teen drivers from texting reduced traffic deaths in that group by 11 percent.
- Banning all handheld devices is a good idea. Laws that prohibit using any device while driving reduced traffic deaths for adults ages 22 to 64.
How to Stop Texting and Driving
You know it’s wrong. You know it’s dangerous. And it’s also illegal in most states. So why is it so hard to stop? While it may seem simple to stop, resisting the urge to pick up the phone can be hard. Here are 3 tips that might help.
- Turn your phone on silent: One of the easiest ways to avoid getting distracted is by putting your phone on silent mode. You may want to turn off the vibration too if you are inclined to peek because you felt the phone move. If you’re one of the millions of people who own a smartphone, put the device on airplane mode, which shuts off the phone’s reception. That way, you won’t receive any emails, texts, calls or notifications until you’re at your destination and turn off airplane mode. If all else fails, simply turn the phone off.
- Download a safety app: If willpower is not enough, get some help from your phone. There are many apps that offer ways to make you stop texting and driving. Drivesafe.ly, DriveMode, and SafeDriver – just to name a few.
- Keep your phone out of reach: It sounds old school but it works. Not being able to see or hear your phone will most likely not tempt you to use it while you drive. Putting it in your trunk before you start your drive will force you to have to pull over and stop in a safe area like a rest stop or gas station if you have an urge to look at it while you are driving.
Texting and driving is an ongoing problem and states are looking to stamp it out as quickly as they can because, despite how harmless you may think it is, it’s becoming as serious as drunk driving in terms of being a threat to the wellbeing of the general public. Learn the laws and obey them–for your safety and for the safety of others.
Texting and Driving Laws by State
Alabama
Alabama Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage is prohibited by: all 16 year olds
- Cell Phone Usage is prohibited by: all 17 year olds who have had an intermediate license for fewer than 6 months
For More Information on Alabama Traffic Laws Visit: Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs
Alaska
Alaska Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Alaska Traffic Laws Visit: Alaska Highway Safety Office
Arizona
Arizona Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Nope
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
- Update June 30th, 2018 – Drivers with learner’s permits and drivers who only have their licenses for 6 months will have a cell phone ban as secondary enforcement.
For More Information on Arizona Traffic Laws Visit: Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
Arkansas
Arkansas Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: For Ages 18-21 & when driving through highway work zones and school zones
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Arkansas Traffic Laws Visit: Arkansas Highway Safety Office
California
Califronia Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes, Only hands free electronic devices that are voice activated are allowed to be used while driving if you are 18 or older.
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on California Traffic Laws Visit: California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS)
Colorado
Colorado Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are younger than 18
For More Information on Colorado Traffic Laws Visit: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Connecticut
Connecticut Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Connecticut Traffic Laws Visit: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Delaware
Delaware Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with intermediate licenses and learners permits
For More Information on Delaware Traffic Laws Visit: Delaware Office of Highway Safety
District of Columbia
Washington D.C. Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with their learner’s permit
For More Information on District of Columbia Traffic Laws Visit: Washington D.C. Road Rules
Florida
Florida Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Florida Traffic Laws Visit: Flordia Department of Transportation
Georgia
Georgia Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Georgia Traffic Laws Visit: Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS)
Hawaii
Hawaii Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Hawaii Traffic Laws Visit: Hawaii Department of Transportation
Idaho
Idaho Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Idaho Traffic Laws Visit: Idaho Transportation Department
Illinois
Illinois Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 19
For More Information on Illinois Traffic Laws Visit: Illinois Department of Transportation
Indiana
Indiana Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: for drivers that are under the age of 21
For More Information on Indiana Traffic Laws Visit: Indiana Traffic Safety
Iowa
Iowa Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that have their intermediate license or learner’s permit
For More Information on Iowa Traffic Laws Visit: Iowa Department of Public Safety
Kansas
Kansas Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Kansas Traffic Laws Visit: Kansas Department of Transporation Traffic Safety
Kentucky
Kentucky Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Kentucky Traffic Laws Visit: Kentucky Office of Highway Safety
Louisiana
Louisiana Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that have an intermediate license or a learner’s permit & For drivers that are under the age of 18. When receiving your first drivers license, you also affected by this ban regardless of age.
For More Information on Louisiana Traffic Laws Visit: Louisiana Highway Safety Commission
Maine
Maine Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with their learner’s permit or intermediate license
For More Information on Maine Traffic Laws Visit: Maine Bureau of Highway Safety
Maryland
Maryland Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Maryland Traffic Laws Visit: Maryland Highway Safety Office
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on Massachusetts Traffic Laws Visit: Massachusetts Office of Public Safety
Michigan
Michigan Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with their level 1 or level 2 intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on Michigan Traffic Laws Visit: Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning
Minnesota
Minnesota Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers in their first 12 months of a provisional license and drivers with their learner’s permit. This also applys to all drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Minnesota Traffic Laws Visit: Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety
Mississippi
Mississippi Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Mississippi Traffic Laws Visit: Mississippi Office of Highway Safety
Missouri
Missouri Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: For drivers 21 and under
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Missouri Traffic Laws Visit: Missouri Department of Transportation
Montana
Montana Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Nope
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Montana Traffic Laws Visit: Montana Traffic Safety Programs
Nebraska
Nebraska Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18 that have a learner’s permit or an intermediate license
For More Information on Nebraska Traffic Laws Visit: Nebraska Highway Safety Office
Nevada
Nevada Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Nevada Traffic Laws Visit: Nevada Office of Traffic Safety
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers that are under the age of 18
For More Information on New Hampshire Traffic Laws Visit: New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety
New Jersey
New Jersey Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on New Jersey Traffic Laws Visit: New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety
New Mexico
New Mexico Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on New Mexico Traffic Laws Visit: New Mexico Department of Transportation
New York
New York Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Yes
For More Information on New York Traffic Laws Visit: New York Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
North Carolina
North Carolina Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on North Carolina Traffic Laws Visit: North Carolina Highway Safety Program
North Dakota
North Dakota Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on North Dakota Traffic Laws Visit: North Dakota Department of Transportatin and Traffic Safety
Ohio
Ohio Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Ohio Traffic Laws Visit: Ohio Traffic Safety Office
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on Oklahoma Traffic Laws Visit: Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
Oregon
Oregon Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes, even when stopped at a traffic light or due to heavy traffic
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Oregon Traffic Laws Visit: Oregon Department of Transportation and Safety
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Pennsylvania Traffic Laws Visit: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Rhode Island
Rhode Island Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes, Law will pass on June 1, 2018
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Rhode Island Traffic Laws Visit: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
South Carolina
South Carolina Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on South Carolina Traffic Laws Visit: South Carolina Highway Safety
South Dakota
South Dakota Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on South Dakota Traffic Laws Visit: South Dakota Highway Safety
Tennessee
Tennessee Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: When driving in a school zone
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on Tennessee Traffic Laws Visit: Tennessee Highway Safety Office
Texas
Texas Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: When in school zones and school crossing zones during the reduced speed limit times
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Texas Traffic Laws Visit: Texas Traffic Operations and Safety
Utah
Utah Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Utah Traffic Laws Visit: Utah Department of Public Safety
Vermont
Vermont Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Vermont Traffic Laws Visit: Vermont Highway Safety Program
Virginia
Virginia Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope, Drivers in highway work zones will have this ban implemented on June 1 ,2018
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers under the age of 18
For More Information on Virginia Traffic Laws Visit: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Washington
Washington Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes, this includes when stopped at a traffic light or heavy traffic. If your car is turned on, your phone should be turned off
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers who have an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on Washington Traffic Laws Visit: Washington Traffic Safety Commission
West Virginia
West Virginia Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Yes
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: If you have a learner’s permit or an intermediate license and you are under the age of 18
For More Information on West Virginia Traffic Laws Visit: West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: When driving in highway construction areas
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: For drivers with an intermediate license or a learner’s permit
For More Information on Wisconsin Traffic Laws Visit: Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Traffic Safety
Wyoming
Wyoming Texting & Driving Laws
- Texting & Driving Ban: Yes
- Hand-Held Cell Phone Use Ban: Nope
- Cell Phone Usage Ban for Younger Drivers: Nope
For More Information on Wyoming Traffic Laws Visit: Wyoming Department of Transportation and Highway Safety