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
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Wyoming
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Wyoming
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Wyoming
Hand-Held Ban?
No
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.
Wisconsin
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
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.
Virginia
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. 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
Virgin Islands
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
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
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.
Texas
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes, in school crossing zones and on public school property only. 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.
Tennessee
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers, while vehicle is in motion. 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
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.
Rhode Island
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. 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
Puerto Rico
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
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
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.
Oklahoma
Hand-Held Ban?
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. 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.
Ohio
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
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 York
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. 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 Mexico
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Nevada
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Nevada
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Nevada
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. Primary 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.
Nebraska
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
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.
Mississippi
Hand-Held Ban?
No
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.
Minnesota
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
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.
Maryland
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. 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.
Maine
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
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.
Kansas
Hand-Held Ban?
No
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.
Iowa
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Idaho
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Idaho
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Idaho
Hand-Held Ban?
Yes. 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.
Hawaii
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Florida
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Florida
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Florida
Hand-Held Ban?
School and work zones only. 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.
District of Columbia
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. 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
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.
Colorado
Hand-Held Ban?
No
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.
California
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary 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
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers
No
Alaska
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers
No
Alaska
Text Messaging Ban?
All drivers. Primary law.
Alaska
Hand-Held Ban?
No
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.
As Minnesota launches a high visibility enforcement period aimed at reducing distracted driving, Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety Director Mike Hanson addresses the role technology plays in distraction.
The Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) is running it's annual Operation Incognito campaign to detect and deter distracted driving. THSO Director and GHSA Region 4 Representative Vic Donoho discusses the effort.
A new study suggests that handheld device bans to deter distracted driving result in fewer emergency room visits related to crash injuries. GHSA's Russ Martin discusses the importance of strong laws to bolster enforcement.
The Virginia legislature recently passed a law banning handheld device use behind the wheel. This article contextualizes the move using GHSA's list of state laws.
While most drivers acknowledge that using their phone behind the wheel is dangerous, many admit continuing to engage in the behavior. GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins emphasizes the importance of strong, enforceable laws to address the issue.
Distracted driving continues to pose a significant threat on our roads, even though many drivers recognize the risks. California Office of Traffic Safety Director and GHSA Board Member Rhonda Craft addresses the need for a change in public perception.
Strong, enforceable laws are key to curbing distracted driving. As Missouri considers new legislation, Jon Nelson of MODOT discusses the challenges distraction poses in the state.
Statement for attribution to Governors Highway Safety Association Director of Policy and Government Relations Russ Martin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) thanks the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for conducting ongoing research to better understand the prevalence of distracted driving and its role in traffic crashes.
Distracted driving continues to be a critical issue on roads nationwide. GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins speaks to how frequent under-reporting of distraction makes it difficult to assess the issue's severity.
The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) launched the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) challenge in early 2017 to drive down the increasing number of fatalities on Missouri roadways. The challenge focuses on two critical issues every Missourian can help address: unbuckled fatalities and distracted driving crashes. While only 13 percent of Missourians aren't buckling up, nearly two-thirds of people killed in crashes in the state are unbuckled.