Electronic device laws

Comprehensive laws addressing electronic devices, rather than those addressing only talking or texting on cellphones, appear to be more effective. The following information applies only to noncommercial drivers. 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.

September 2025

State Does the law prohibit holding an electronic device? What type of manipulation does the law prohibit? Does the law prohibit hand-held calls? How does the law define allowable hands-free use? How does the law address use at temporary stops? Is there a total ban on electronic devices for novice drivers?
Alabama yesFootnote 1 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internetFootnote 1 yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text message no device allowed if used for voice communication or reading caller identification information not addressed no
Arizona yes writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet yes, for 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 and 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 only for drivers ages 18-20 and drivers in school and work zonesFootnote 2 not defined texting ban does not apply when vehicle parked to side of or off road in location where it may safely remain stationary yes, drivers younger than 18
California noFootnote 3 not defined yes, for 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 yes writing and sending; specifically applies to text messages, email, internet and videos yes, for all drivers device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate, deactivate or initiate using only a single touch or swipe does not apply when vehicle at rest on shoulder or lawfully parked no
Connecticut noFootnote 4 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messagesFootnote 4 yes, for 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 noFootnote 3 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages and email yes, for 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 noFootnote 5 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and emailFootnote 5 yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email only for 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 yesFootnote 6 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internetFootnote 6 yes, for all drivers device allowed if voice-operated does not apply when lawfully parked no
Hawaii yes not defined yes, for 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 noFootnote 3 not defined yes, for 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 noFootnote 3 specifically applies to social media yes, for all drivers device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except the press of a single button to initiate or terminate a voice communication does not apply when vehicle stopped due to obstructed traffic and vehicle in neutral or park or when vehicle parked on shoulder yes, drivers younger than 19 who hold a learner’s permit or intermediate license
Indiana yes not defined yes, for all drivers device allowed if voice-operated or hands-free not addressed yes, drivers younger than 21
Iowa yes not defined yes, for all drivers device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function using only a single touch does not apply when vehicle stopped away from travel portion of roadway or as far away from center of roadway as is practicable no
Kansas no writing, sending and 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 no 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 and 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 no not defined not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion on travel portion of roadway yes, drivers younger than 18
Louisiana yes writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, internet, videos and social media yes, for all drivers device allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate, deactivate, or initiate function does not apply when vehicle is lawfully stationary yes, for the first year after a driver is issued their first license
Maine no writing and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and emailFootnote 7 yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages and email yes, for all drivers hands-free texting not defined; calls allowed if operated without use of either hand except to initiate or terminate a call or turn device on or off 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 18Footnote 8
Massachusetts yes reading; specifically applies to text yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages and social media yes, for 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 noFootnote 9
Minnesota yes writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and social media no 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, internet and social media yes, for 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 no not applicable not applicable no
Nebraska no writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet no 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet yes, for all drivers hands-free texting not defined; calls allowed if operated without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function not addressed no
New Hampshire no writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to internet yes, for 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 no sending; specifically applies to text messages yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet no 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 noFootnote 3 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet yes, for all drivers hands-free texting not defined; calls 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 no
North Carolina no writing and reading; specifically applies to text messages and email no device allowed if voice-operated does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped yes, drivers younger than 18
North Dakota no writing, sending and 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 no 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 only in school and work zones (effective 11/01/25) writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email only for learner's permit holders, intermediate license holders, and drivers in school and work zones (effective 11/01/25) device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand except to activate or deactivate feature or function or if using device when integrated into vehicle (effective 11/01/25) not directly addressed; law prohibits use when vehicle in motion noFootnote 10
Oregon yes specifically applies to text messages, email and internet yes, for all drivers device allowed if operated without use of either hand except a single swipe or tap to activate or deactivate feature or functionFootnote 11 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 yes writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, emails, internet, games, photography, videos and social media yes, for all drivers device allowed if voice-operated or without use of either hand or support with a part of the body except to activate, deactivate or initiate using no more than the press of a single button does not apply when the vehicle is to the side of or off of a highway and halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary no
Rhode Island noFootnote 3 writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email or any other purpose yes, for all driversFootnote 12 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 yes writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, video and games yes, for 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 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 no 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet yes, for 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 and reading only for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email and internet noFootnote 13 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email yes, for all drivers hands-free texting not defined; calls 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 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 yes, for all drivers not defined does not apply when vehicle lawfully parked or stopped no
Washington yes writing, sending and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages and email yes, for 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 and reading; specifically applies to text messages, instant messages, email, internet and social media yes, for 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 and sending; specifically applies to text messages and emailFootnote 14 only for 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 and 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 no 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