This chart provides prohibitions on cell phones and texting and the use of televisions in the front seat of the vehicle where the driver can see them. These distractions have proven to be as dangerous as drunk driving. Many states have therefore enacted legislation restricting such activities while driving.

StateAre Cell Phones ProhibitedProhibits Drivers w/ Learners Permit from Using Cell Phone While DrivingProhibits TV in Front Seat of VehicleTexting BanStatute
AlabamaAges 16 and 17 with intermediate license <6 monthsYesAll driversCode of Ala. § 32- 5A-350 & 32-6-7.2
AlaskaBus driversYes – does not prohibit GPSAll driversAlaska Stat. § 28.35.161
ArizonaSchool bus driversUnder 18 and <6 months after licensingYesBus driversChapter 209
ArkansasSchool bus drivers; 18-20 year olds; all drivers in school and construction zones<18All driversA.C.A. § 27-51- 1501 through -1506
CaliforniaAll drivers hand held; school and transit bus drivers all cell phones<18Yes – all visual screens unless map/GPS or device with interlockAll driversCal. Veh. Code § 23123 through 23125
Colorado<18 or learner's permitYes – does not prohibit use of computer, data terminal in vehicleAll driversC.R.S. 42-4-239
ConnecticutAll drivers hand held; school bus drivers all cell phones<18Yes – does allow display that aids backing/parking or only displays when vehicle is not in motionAll driversConn. Gen. Stat. § 14-296aa
DelawareAll drivers hand held; school bus drivers all cell phonesLearner and intermediateAll drivers21 Del. C. § 4176B & 4176C
Dist. of Col.All drivers hand held; school bus drivers and drivers with a learner's permit all cell phonesYesYesAll driversD.C. Code § 50- 1731.01 through .10
FloridaSchool and construction zonesYes – navigation systems OKAll drivers; allowed while stopped at red lightsFla. Stat. § 316.305
GeorgiaAll drivers hand held; school bus drivers all cell phones<18All driversO.C.G.A. § 40-6- 241 through 241.2
GuamAll driversAll drivers16 GCA § 3346 & 3346.1
HawaiiAll Drivers<18All driversHRS § 291C-137
IdahoAll driversIdaho Code § 49- 1401A
IllinoisAll drivers; school bus drivers; drivers while in construction and school zones<19Yes – all visual screens unless map/GPS or device with interlockAll drivers625 ILCS 5/12- 610.2
Indiana<18Yes – all visual screens unless map/GPS or device with interlockAll driversBurns Ind. Code Ann. § 9-21-8-59
IowaLearner and intermediateAll driversIowa Code § 321.276
KansasLearner and intermediateAll driversK.S.A. § 8-15-111
KentuckySchool bus drivers<18All driversK.R.S. § 189.292 & 189.294
LouisianaSchool bus drivers; <18; all drivers in school zonesHand held banned for a person who holds learner or intermediate licenseYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversLa. R.S. § 32:289.1, 32:300.5- 32:300.7
MaineAll driversAllYes – does not include GPS/police equipmentAll drivers29-A M.R.S.A. § 1311 & 2119
MarylandAll drivers hand heldLearner/provisional; <18Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversMd. TRANSPORTATI ON Code Ann. § 21-1124.1
MassachusettsAll drivers hand heldYesYes – does not include GPSAll driversALM GL ch. 90, § 13, 13B, & 8M
MichiganLevel 1 or 2 graduated licenseYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversMCLS § 257.602b & 257.602c
MinnesotaAll driversLearner/provisional first 12 monthsYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversMinn. Stat. § 169.475 & 171.05
MississippiSchool bus driversAll driversMiss. Code Ann. § 63-33-1
Missouri<21 and all commercial drivers§ 304.820 R.S.Mo.
MontanaNo statewide bans but varies by municipality
NebraskaLearner/provisional <18YesAll driversR.R.S. Neb. § 60- 6,179.01 & 60-4, 120.01
NevadaAll drivers hand heldYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversNev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 484B.165
New HampshireAll drivers hand heldYesYes – does not include GPS/backup camsAll driversRSA 265:79-c & 265:105-a
New JerseyAll drivers hand held; operator of a moving vehicle involved in providing public transport services<21 with a GDL or provisional licenseYesAll driversN.J. Stat. § 39:4- 97.3
New MexicoLerner and intermediateYes – unless aids in operation of vehicle or used by law enforcementAll driversN.M. Stat. Ann. § 66-7-374
New YorkAll drivers hand heldYes – also bans radio sets that pick up police transmissionsAll driversNY CLS Veh & Tr § 1225-c
North CarolinaBus drivers, <18<18Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversN.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-137.3 & 20- 137.4a
North Dakota<18All driversN.D. Cent. Code, § 39-08-23 & -24
Ohio<18All driversORC Ann. 4511.204 & .205
OklahomaLearners permit holders; intermediate license holders; school bus and public transit driversLearner and intermediate may not use hand heldYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll drivers (as of 2020)47 Okl. St. § 6-105 & 11-901
OregonAll drivers hand heldLearner and intermediate <18Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversORS § 811.507
PennsylvaniaYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll drivers75 Pa.C.S. § 3316
Puerto RicoAll driversYesAll drivers9 L.P.R.A. § 5305
Rhode IslandAll drivers<18Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPSAll driversR.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-30 & -11.9
South CarolinaYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversS.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3890
South Dakotalearner and intermediateYesAll driversS.D. Codified Laws § 32-26-47 & 32- 12-12
TennesseeBus drivers; all drivers in school zonesLearner and intermediateYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversTenn. Code Ann. § 55-50-311, 55-8- 192 & 55-8-199
TexasBus drivers with children; school and construction zones; <18<18Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversTex. Transp. Code § 545.425
Utah<18Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversUtah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1716
VermontAll drivers<18Yes – Ok if used only to view rear of carAll drivers23 V.S.A. § 1095b
Virgin IslandsAll drivers hand heldAll drivers20 V.I.C. § 509 – 509b
VirginiaSchool bus drivers; <18

All drivers effective 1/1/2021

<18

All drivers effective 1/1/2021

Yes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversVa. Code Ann. § 46.2-1078.1
WashingtonAll drivers hand heldLearner and intermediateYes – does not include backup camsAll driversRev. Code Wash. § 46.37.480
West VirginiaAll drivers hand heldLearner and intermediate <18Yes– does not include GPS/safetyAll driversW. Va. Code § 17C14-15
WisconsinAll drivers in construction zonesLearner and intermediateYes – does not apply to emergency vehiclesAll driversWis. Stat. § 346.89
WyomingLearner and intermediateYes – includes any type of visual screen unless mapping/GPS/police equipmentAll driversWyo. Stat. § 31-5- 237

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