Countries that ban cell phones while driving
This page lists countries that have banned the use of cell phone when driving unless used with some form of hands free accesory. This also includes text messaging, and emails.
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 C$180 Banned in Québec (Apr 2008) fines up to C$100. Banned in BC (Jan 2010) Banned in Alberta (Jan 2010) Banned in Ontarion (Jan 2010) |
| 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 | Fine of PLN200 ($100) - can be higher if contested. |
| 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. Ban on drivers under 18yrs proposed. |
| 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. Text messaging while driving (inc emails) banned with effect from Jan 1st 2009. |
| Colorado | No | Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stopped 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 | Partial | Banned in Oahu from 1st July - US$67 fine for first infraction. |
| Idaho | No | |
| Illinois | Partial | School bus drivers are banned - Chicago and Gary City Council have passed local laws banning driving without a hands-free kit. |
| 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 | Partial | Teenagers and new drivers are banned - all drivers banned from text messaging only. |
| 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. Bill extended June 2008 to include text messaging. |
| New Mexico | Partial | Being debated - local ban in the cities of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, and Las Vegas |
| 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 | Partial | Ban applies to teenagers only. |
| 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 | Partial | Bill to ban holders of a beginner's permit, conditional or special restricted driver's license passed by House committee, April 2008 |
| 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 | Yes | 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 |
This article was published on Thursday 07 January, 2010.
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