Can you use your phone while driving in California?

It seems like cell phones went from being a luxury only some people to afford to a necessity almost nobody could live without. As with many other things that experience a seemingly sudden increase in popularity, people soon started to abuse the innovation and use it at inopportune times, such as while driving. Thus, many states, including California, passed laws to restrict or prohibit cell phone usage while behind the wheel.

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5 Laws for driving with a cell phone in California

1. You may NOT write, send, or read text messages while behind the wheel.
2. Drivers 18 years old and over MAY use a hands-free device to make or receive phone calls while driving. This could include Bluetooth® technology and voice control in your vehicle or speaker functionality on your phone, as long as you’re not holding the phone.
3. You MAY use your cell phone to make emergency calls to law enforcement, the fire department, a medical provider, or other emergency services.
4. Push to talk features, such as two-way radios, are NOT allowed while driving. The exception here is for a hands-free ear piece or another hands-free device, such as the display screen in your vehicle.
5. You MAY read and select a phone number on your hands-free device while behind the wheel. Although technically allowed, drivers are strongly discouraged from entering a phone number while driving.

What’s the penalty for breaking these cell phone usage laws?

If you are caught texting or holding your cell phone while driving in California, a law enforcement official can pull you over. The base fine for the first offense is $20, while the second offense and subsequent convictions is $50. Drivers can also expect penalty assessments, which can as much as triple the base fine.

More about traffic safety laws in California: https://www.dmv.org/ca-california/safety-laws.php

In the end, we strongly encourage you to put the phone down while you’re out on the California roadways. On top of being against the law, cell phone usage while driving, even just glancing at a text message, can be extremely dangerous for you, your passengers, and anyone else on the road. It’s not worth it.