Electronic device laws

Comprehensive laws addressing electronic devices, rather than those addressing only talking or texting on cellphones, appear to be more effective. Read more on our main distracted driving page.

This material has been prepared for general information purposes only. It is not guaranteed to be current and should be independently verified. Do not rely on it when considering how a law may apply to your circumstances.

April 2024

State	Does the law prohibit holding an electronic device?	What type of use does the electronic device law prohibit?	For which non-commercial drivers does the law prohibit hand-held calls?	How does the electronic device law define allowable hands-free use?	How does the electronic device law address use at temporary stops?	Is there a total ban on electronic devices for novice drivers?
Alabama	yes^{Footnote 1}	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet^{Footnote 1}	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function while the device is mounted to the vehicle	does not apply when vehicle parked on shoulder	yes, all 16-year-old drivers and 17-year-old drivers who have held an intermediate license for fewer than 6 months
Alaska	no	writing or reading; specifically applies to text message	none	device allowed if used for voice communication or reading caller identification information	not addressed	no
Arizona	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle stopped for red light or for train at railroad grade crossing	yes, all learner’s permit holders and intermediate license holders until they have been licensed for 6 months or turn 18, whichever occurs first
Arkansas	no	writing or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and social media; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call	drivers ages 18-20; drivers in school and work zones^{Footnote 2}	not defined	does not apply when vehicle parked to side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary (texting); not addressed (hand-held calls)	yes, drivers younger than 18
California	only while using device	not defined	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function while the device is mounted to the vehicle	not addressed	yes, drivers younger than 18
Colorado	no	writing or sending; specifically applies to text messages	none	not defined	does not apply when vehicle at rest on shoulder or lawfully parked	yes, drivers younger than 18
Connecticut	no^{Footnote 3}	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages^{Footnote 3}	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of road or shoulder where it may safely remain stationary	yes, drivers younger than 18
Delaware	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages and email	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
District of Columbia	no^{Footnote 4}	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email^{Footnote 4}	all drivers	device allowed if equipped with hands-free accessory	not addressed	yes, learner’s permit holders and drivers younger than 18
Florida	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email	drivers in school crossing zones, school zones or work zones	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle is stationary	no
Georgia	yes^{Footnote 5}	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet^{Footnote 5}	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated	does not apply when lawfully parked	no
Hawaii	yes	not defined	all drivers	not defined	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of road in safe location with engine off	yes, drivers younger than 18
Idaho	only while using device	not defined	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except through one-touch access to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or parked on side of or off road in location where it may legally remain stationary	no
Illinois	only while using device	specifically applies to social media	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or hands-free (texting and hand-held calls) or without use of either hand except a single push to activate or deactivate feature or function (school zones)	does not apply when vehicle stopped due to normal traffic obstructed and vehicle in neutral or park or vehicle parked on shoulder	yes, drivers younger than 19 who hold a learner’s permit or intermediate license
Indiana	yes	not defined	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or hands-free	not addressed	yes, drivers younger than 21
Iowa	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, internet and social media; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call	none	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle stopped away from travel portion of roadway	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders, except when using device through permanently installed vehicle equipment
Kansas	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call	none	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle stopped away from travel portion of roadway	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
Kentucky	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call	none	not defined	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion on travel portion of roadway	yes, drivers younger than 18
Louisiana	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and social media; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call	learner’s permit and intermediate license holders ages 18 and older; drivers in school zones	not defined (texting); device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function (hand-held calls for learner’s permit holders ages 18 and older and drivers in school zones)	not addressed (texting); does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked (hand-held calls)	yes, drivers younger than 18; for the first year, drivers issued first driver’s license
Maine	no	writing or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email^{Footnote 6}	all drivers	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except a single swipe, tap, or push to activate or deactivate feature or function while the device is mounted to the vehicle	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
Maryland	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages and email	all drivers	not defined (texting); device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to initiate or terminate a call or turn device on or off (hand-held calls, except for learner's permit and intermediate license holders ages 18 and older)	not directly addressed; law prohibits texting when vehicle on travel portion of roadway; law prohibits hand-held calls when vehicle in motion	yes, drivers younger than 18
Massachusetts	yes	reading; specifically applies to text	all drivers	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle stopped away from travel portion of roadway	yes, drivers younger than 18
Michigan	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages and social media	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except a single touch to activate or deactivate feature or function or if using device when integrated into vehicle	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked	no^{Footnote 7}
Minnesota	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except a single touch to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully stopped in location not designed or ordinarily used for travel and not obstructing traffic	yes, learner’s permit holders younger than 18 and all intermediate license holders
Mississippi	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and social media	none	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	no
Missouri	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, internet and social media	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped	no
Montana	no	none	none	not applicable	not applicable	no
Nebraska	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	none	device allowed if hands-free	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
Nevada	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	all drivers	not defined (texting); device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function (hand-held calls)	not addressed	no
New Hampshire	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to internet	all drivers	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked on side of or off road in location where it remains stationary	yes, drivers younger than 18
New Jersey	only while using device	sending; specifically applies to text messages	all drivers	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
New Mexico	no	writing or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	none	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
New York	only while using device	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	all drivers	not defined (texting); device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function (hand-held calls)	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	no
North Carolina	no	writing or reading; specifically applies to text messages and email	none	device allowed if voice-operated	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped	yes, drivers younger than 18
North Dakota	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet; does not apply to reading, selecting, or entering number or name for purpose of making call	none	device allowed if voice-operated or hands-free	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked	yes, drivers younger than 18
Ohio	no	not defined	all drivers, unless device held near driver’s ear	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function or if using device when integrated into vehicle	does not apply when vehicle stopped at traffic signal outside travel lane, or due to emergency or road closure	yes, drivers younger than 18
Oklahoma	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email	learner’s permit and intermediate license holders	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function or if using device when integrated into vehicle (texting) or without use of either hand (hand-held calls)	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	no
Oregon	yes	specifically applies to text messages, email and internet	all drivers	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function^{Footnote 8}	does not apply when vehicle safely stopped to side or off road, in designated parking space, or in roadway to conduct construction or utility maintenance work	yes, drivers younger than 18
Pennsylvania	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, and email; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call	none	not defined	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	no
Rhode Island	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email	all drivers, if device held near driver’s ear	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary (texting); law prohibits use when vehicle in motion (hand-held calls)	yes, drivers younger than 18
South Carolina	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email	none	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped	no
South Dakota	no	specifically applies to social media; does not apply to reading, selecting or entering number or name for purpose of making call and using device for the call	none	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked	yes, learner's permit and intermediate license holders
Tennessee	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	all drivers	device allowed if operated without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or function while the device is mounted to the vehicle	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped or when driver lawfully leaves vehicle standing	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
Texas	no	writing, sending or reading	drivers operating within school crossing zones or on school property for which a school crossing zone has been designated	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle stopped	yes, drivers younger than 18
Utah	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet	none^{Footnote 9}	device allowed if voice-operated, without use of either hand, or if integrated into vehicle	not addressed	yes, drivers younger than 18
Vermont	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email	all drivers	not defined (texting); device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate hands-free use while the device is mounted to the vehicle or through internal feature without holding the device (hand-held calls)	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary	yes, drivers younger than 18
Virginia	yes	not defined	all drivers	not defined	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped	no
Washington	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email	all drivers	device allowed without use of either hand except through minimal use of finger to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle parked on side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
West Virginia	yes	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, internet and social media	all drivers	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except through swipe or single touch to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked	yes, drivers younger than 18
Wisconsin	no	writing or sending; specifically applies to text messages and email^{Footnote 10}	drivers in work zones, utility work areas, or emergency or roadside response areas when workers are present	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion	yes, learner’s permit and intermediate license holders
Wyoming	no	writing, sending or reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email; does not apply to reading, selecting, or entering number or name for purpose of making call	none	device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function	does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked	no

Footnotes

^{Footnote 1} Alabama specifically prohibits distracted driving, defined as crossing in and out of a traffic lane without using a turn signal, swerving, or otherwise driving in a manner indicative of impairment while holding or supporting a device or while texting. ↩
^{Footnote 2} Arkansas’ ban on hand-held calls includes texting but is not summarized in the previous column, which focuses solely on the general texting ban found in Subchapter 15 of Chapter 51 of Title 27. ↩
^{Footnote 3} Connecticut prohibits any activity not related to vehicle operation that interferes with safe vehicle operation. ↩
^{Footnote 4} The District prohibits inattentive driving that interferes with safe vehicle operation. ↩
^{Footnote 5} Georgia prohibits any action that distracts from safe vehicle operation. ↩
^{Footnote 6} Since 2009, Maine has prohibited “failure to maintain control of a motor vehicle,” which Maine defines as committing a traffic infraction while “engaged in the operation of a motor vehicle while distracted.” This provision defines “operation of a motor vehicle while distracted” as an activity that is not necessary to vehicle operation and “actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair,” safe vehicle operation. ↩
^{Footnote 7} Michigan, under 257.602c, specifically prohibits learner’s permit and intermediate license holders from using a device to make calls and does not provide an exception for hands-free use. Under 257.602b, Michigan prohibits any driver from holding or using the device but has an exception for hands-free use. At most, these two provisions combine to establish a handheld ban, but not a total ban, on electronic devices for novice drivers. ↩
^{Footnote 8} In Oregon, “using a hands-free accessory” is an affirmative defense. ↩
^{Footnote 9} In 2007, Utah defined careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a hand-held cellphone or other activities not related to driving. IIHS reported this as the functional equivalent of a secondary law. In 2012, Utah’s law was modified to specify that a person is not prohibited from using a hand-held wireless device while operating a moving motor vehicle when making or receiving a telephone call. In 2014, Utah again amended its law by removing the act of talking on a hand-held phone from the section describing careless driving. The most recent iteration bans drivers from dialing a hand-held phone and caps the maximum fine at $100 for a first offense provided the offender inflicted no bodily harm. ↩
^{Footnote 10} Wisconsin prohibits inattentive driving that interferes with safe vehicle operation. ↩