Hands Free Laws

The Law

Some states in the US have enacted cell phone laws that prohibit driving while talking on handheld cell phones.

What states are involved?

California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Washington, District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands all have statewide bans. In Illinois, Massacusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Pennsylvania the handheld ban is by jurisdiction. Most states have an all cell phone ban on school bus drivers and novice drivers. New Hampshire and Utah both have comprehensive Distracted Driving Laws. This list may not be all inclusive. We recommend checking with your state and local authorities for a definite answer about the laws in your area.

What does this mean for me?

For safety, we recommend not talking on your cell phone at all while driving so you can focus on the task at hand. However, if you do need to talk on your phone, you can use a hands free device such as a headset or a speaker phone. These devices are not only safer, they are legal to use in all states including ones with cell phone laws, unless you are a school bus driver or a novice driver.

How does Bluetooth fit in?

You can use Bluetooth headsets and Bluetooth hands free speaker phones with your Bluetooth enabled cell phone to talk hands free while driving.