Distracted driving caused by cell phone use continues to be one of the leading contributors to roadway crashes in the United States. To address this, nearly every state has enacted laws regulating handheld phone use, texting, and restrictions for young drivers. Cell phone ticket fines vary by state, ranging from as little as $20 for a first offense to over $125 for repeat violations, but the long-term costs such as insurance hikes can be much higher. Understanding how the laws differ across states is essential for safe and compliant driving.
States That Ban Handheld Phone Use
As of 2025, 31 states, along with Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have laws prohibiting all drivers from using handheld cell phones while operating a vehicle. In these jurisdictions, drivers must use hands-free methods such as Bluetooth, speakerphone, or dashboard mounts. Examples of states with handheld bans include:
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California
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Illinois
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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New Jersey
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New York
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Oregon
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Washington
This means that what was once limited to only a handful of states has now expanded nationwide as lawmakers increasingly recognize the risks of distracted driving.
Text Messaging Bans by State
Nearly every U.S. state bans texting while driving. As of 2025, 49 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands prohibit text messaging for all drivers. Montana remains the only state without a statewide texting ban, although some local jurisdictions have their own restrictions. These laws prohibit drivers from manually composing, sending, or reading text messages, instant messages, and emails while behind the wheel. Some laws also extend to social media activity or app use.
Young Driver Restrictions
In addition to handheld and texting bans, many states impose extra restrictions on younger or novice drivers. Currently, more than 35 states ban all cell phone use—both handheld and hands-free—for drivers under the age of 18 or those with learner’s permits. The goal is to reduce distractions for inexperienced drivers who already face higher crash risks. Violations can lead to fines, points on a license, and in some cases, license suspension.
Enforcement of Cell Phone Laws
How these laws are enforced depends on the state. In most handheld ban states, the law is a primary enforcement law, meaning an officer can stop and cite a driver solely for holding a phone. In states with secondary enforcement, an officer must observe another violation such as speeding before issuing a citation for phone use. While many citations are classified as non-moving violations that may not carry license points, repeat offenses or texting bans often do result in points and higher insurance costs.
Fines and Penalties
Cell phone ticket fines vary depending on the state:
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Low end: $20–$50 for first-time handheld or texting violations in states with lower penalties.
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High end: $100–$150+ for handheld bans in stricter states, with higher fines for repeat offenders.
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Additional costs: Court fees, surcharges, and insurance premium increases can make the real cost of a violation much more expensive than the base fine.
Some states escalate penalties for repeat violations or add license points, which remain on your record for years.
Fight Cell Phone Tickets
Drivers may contest citations in court. Common defenses include proving the device was being used in a hands-free manner, showing that the phone activity was related to emergency communication, or challenging the sufficiency of the officer’s observations. While contesting can take time and may require a traffic attorney, avoiding fines and potential insurance hikes can make it worthwhile.
State-by-State Snapshot
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31 states + D.C. + territories: Ban handheld phone use for all drivers.
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49 states + D.C. + territories: Ban texting for all drivers (Montana is the only exception).
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35+ states: Ban all phone use for drivers under 18 or novice drivers.
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0 states: Completely ban all cell phone use (including hands-free) for all drivers.
Because laws differ, drivers crossing state lines should be aware that what is legal in one state could be ticketable in another.
Key National Statistics
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31 states + D.C. + U.S. territories prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones (i.e. require hands-free) under many circumstances.
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49 states + D.C. + territories ban texting for all drivers (the only exception often cited is Montana).
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No state bans all cell phone use (handheld + hands-free) for all drivers.
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36 states + D.C. prohibit all cellphone use (handheld and hands-free) by novice or teen drivers.
Enforcement, Fines & Penalties
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In states with handheld bans, most are primary enforcement: an officer can pull you over simply for holding the phone.
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Some laws are secondary, meaning another violation must be observed before citing phone use.
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Fines vary widely: $20–$50 for first offenses in mild states, $100–$150+ in stricter states or repeat cases.
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Repeat offenses often carry higher fines, and many states assign points to your driving record or increase insurance premiums.
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Many states impose stricter rules (or total bans) for drivers under age 18 or with learner’s/provisional licensing.
State Comparison Table
| State / Jurisdiction | Handheld Ban for All Drivers? | Texting Ban for All Drivers? | Under-18 / Novice Full Ban? | Enforcement Type / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Yes | Yes | Yes (no handheld for under-18) | Primary enforcement |
| New York | Yes | Yes | Yes (tight restrictions for junior drivers) | Primary enforcement |
| Oregon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| Washington | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| Connecticut | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| Maryland | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| New Jersey | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| Illinois | Yes | Yes | Yes (under-19) | Primary enforcement |
| Massachusetts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| Nevada | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Yes | Yes | Primary enforcement |
| … | … | … | … | … |
| Montana | No | No | Varies / local rules | No statewide texting ban |
(This is a partial snapshot. Many more states follow similar patterns. Always verify the current law in the specific state.)
Conclusion
Cell phone laws in the U.S. now cover handheld bans, texting bans, and special restrictions for young drivers—though no state yet prohibits all phone use in every circumstance. The vast majority of states ban texting for all drivers (49 states + D.C.), and a growing number enforce handheld bans under primary enforcement. Fines range from modest to high, and repeated violations or youth infractions may carry points or insurance consequences. Use hands-free methods when possible, restrict all phone use while driving, and stay updated on your state’s law as changes are common.
