Countries that ban cell phones while driving
This page lists those countries that have banned the use of a cell phone when driving unless used with some form of hands-free kit.
Country Listing (USA in separate table at the bottom)
| Country | Banned | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | Banned in all states - fines vary though. |
| Austria | Yes | Fines vary - up to US$22 per incident |
| Bahrain | Yes | Offenders face fines - possibly prison |
| Belgium | Yes | Phones can be used without a hands-free unit when the car is stationary - but not while in traffic (such as at traffic lights) |
| Brazil | Yes | Ban imposed Jan. 2001 |
| Botswana | Being debated | The attorney general is drafting the legislation |
| Canada | Variable | Banned in Newfoundland (Dec2002) fines up to US$180. Discussed again October 2006. |
| Chile | Yes | |
| China | Yes | Reported to be covered by general "good driving practice" legislation. |
| Czech Republic | Yes | |
| Denmark | Yes | Ban imposed July 1998 - US$60 fine for infringements |
| Egypt | Yes | Fines of about US$100 per offence. |
| Finland | Yes | Ban imposed January 2003 - US$55 fine for infringements |
| France | Yes | Banned 2003, EUR40 fine per infraction |
| Germany | Yes | Ban imposed Feb. 2001 - usage allowed without a hands-free unit only when the engine is switched off. Fine of �40 per infraction |
| Greece | Yes | |
| Hong Kong | Yes | |
| Hungary | Yes | Not often implemented by the police |
| India - New Delhi | Yes | New Delhi - Ban extended to ban all use of cell phones when driving, including use with a hands-free unit - July 2001 Andhra Pradesh - Ban now enforced with prison sentences |
| Ireland | Yes | Banned, with a US$380 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment on a third offence. Handsfree kits allowed, although that is subject to review. |
| Isle of Man | Yes | Banned since July 2000 |
| Israel | Yes | |
| Italy | Yes | Fines of up to US$124 per infraction |
| Japan | Yes | Ban imposed Nov. 1999 |
| Jersey | Yes | Ban imposed Feb. 1998 |
| Jordan | Yes | Ban imposed Oct. 2001 |
| Kenya | Yes | Ban imposed late 2001 |
| Malaysia | Yes | |
| Mexico | Partial | Ban in Mexico City |
| Netherlands | Yes | Fines up to €2,000 or two weeks in jail |
| New Zealand | Being debated | Under debate - consultation being sought from interested parties |
| Norway | Yes | Fines of over $600 per infraction |
| Pakistan | Partial | Banned in Islamabad |
| Philippines | Yes | |
| Poland | Yes | Fines can be as high as US$1,000 |
| Portugal | Yes | |
| Romania | Yes | |
| Russia | Yes | Ban imposed by Prime Minister - March 2001 |
| Singapore | Yes | |
| Slovak Republic | Yes | |
| Slovenia | Yes | |
| South Africa | Yes | |
| South Korea | Yes | Ban imposed July 2001 - US$47 fine + 15 points on the license. |
| Spain | Yes | |
| Sweden | No | |
| Switzerland | Yes | |
| Taiwan | Yes | If the driver is using a reflective screen on the car, local privacy laws forbid stopping the car for violating the ban. |
| Thailand | Yes | Bill proposed in May 2000 |
| Turkey | Yes | |
| Turkmenistan | Yes | Signed into law with effect from May 1st 2003, by President Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy |
| UK | Yes | Banned from December 2003 |
| Zimbabwe | Yes | Ban imposed in Sept 2001, announced via official news agency only though, so not confirmed |
USA states breakdown
| State | Banned? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | |
| Alaska | No | |
| Arkansas | Partial | School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone. |
| Arizona | Partial | A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone |
| California | Yes | Beginning July 1, 2008, violators face a US$20 fine for a first offense and a US$50 ticket for subsequent infractions. Law passed Sept 2007 bans all under-18s from using a phone at all, even with handsfree kit. |
| Colorado | No | Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stoped for another violation first |
| Connecticut | Yes | Banned with effect from Oct. 2005 - teens are also forbidden from using handsfree kits while moving |
| Delaware | No | A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested |
| District of Columbia | Yes | Banned from July 2004 |
| Florida | Partial | State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush.. |
| Georgia | Partial | School bus drivers banned from using cell phones while driving. DeKalb County has fines when crashes can be attributed to driving while using a cellphone. |
| Hawaii | Being debated | A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu. |
| Idaho | No | |
| Illinois | Partial | School bus drivers are banned - Chicago has passed a bill banning driving while using a phone, fines of US$50 per infraction. |
| Indiana | No | Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004 |
| Iowa | Being debated | |
| Kansas | No | Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000 |
| Kentucky | No | |
| Louisiana | Being debated | Study into the effects of a ban underway |
| Maine | Partial | Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving |
| Maryland | No | Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel |
| Massachusetts | Partial | Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone. |
| Michigan | No | |
| Minnesota | Partial | Teenagers and provisional drivers are banned - $100 fine plus delays in license upgrades for offenders |
| Mississippi | No | Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban. |
| Missouri | No | |
| Montana | No | |
| Nebraska | No | Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004 |
| Nevada | No | State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003. |
| New Hampshire | Partial | Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident. |
| New Jersey | Yes | Banned from 2004, updated from March 2008 - fine US$100 |
| New Mexico | Partial | Being debated - local ban in the city of Santa Fe |
| New York | Yes | Ban effective from Nov. 2001 |
| North Carolina | Being debated | Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out. |
| North Dakota | Being debated | Bill proposed by Sen. Harvey Tallackson, D-Grafton, Feb 2005 |
| Ohio | Partial | The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn. |
| Oklahoma | No | Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban. |
| Oregon | No | A new bill enacted in Jan 2002 forbids the local governments from implementing their own cell phone ban. |
| Pennsylvania | Partial | Local cities have their own laws - state legislation pending |
| Rhode Island | No | Governor Almond rejected a ban - July 2001. School buses are banned from using a cell phone. Proposal for a ban being debated, April 2004. |
| South Carolina | No | |
| South Dakota | No | |
| Tennessee | Partial | School buses are banned from using a cell phone |
| Texas | No | Senate Bill 154 proposed. If passed would come into effect from 2008. A previous attempt in 2005 failed |
| Utah | No | Bill to introduce ban failed March 1998. Highland city planning a ban - Feb 2005 |
| Vermont | No | |
| Virginia | Partial | Bill banning minors passed Jan 2005. Bill banning 16-17yr olds with conditional licenses passed March 2007 |
| Washington | Partial | Ban imposed, to come into effect from July 2008. Driving while sending text messages separately banned with effect from Jan 1st 2008 |
| West Virginia | No | Bill proposed in 1999, but never debated |
| Wisconsin | No | Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998. Bill to ban younger drivers only being debated. |
| Wyoming | No | Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but not debated |
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