Which States Have Hands-Free Driving Laws

Driving while using a cell phone remains a leading cause of distracted-driving crashes. National data show that using a mobile device while operating a vehicle significantly increases the risk of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, manual phone usage contributes to hundreds of thousands of crashes every year. While almost all U.S. states ban texting behind the wheel, fewer prohibit all handheld use. The trend toward “hands‑free” driving aims to close that gap and enhance road safety.

What Is a Hands‑Free Driving Law?

A hands‑free driving law forbids drivers from holding or physically manipulating a wireless communication device, including mobile phones, tablets, or music players, while driving. These laws typically allow signal activation via voice commands, Bluetooth, or a permanently mounted device—and must be enforceable as a primary offense, meaning police can pull someone over specifically for handheld use.

How Many States Have Hands‑Free Laws?

As of mid‑2025, 31 jurisdictions have full-time handheld bans—including 30 states plus the District of Columbia. This number is up from 29 state laws in 2022, according to sources like the Governors Highway Safety Association. The most recent change is Pennsylvania, which adopted a primary enforcement law in June 2025.

States with Hands‑Free (Handheld) Laws:

Here are the states and D.C. that currently prohibit drivers from holding a mobile device at any time:

• Arizona

• California

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• District of Columbia

• Georgia

• Hawaii

• Idaho

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Iowa

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Missouri

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New York

• Ohio

• Oregon

• Rhode Island

• Tennessee

• Vermont

• Virginia

• Washington

• West Virginia

• Pennsylvania (law took effect June 2025)

These laws require hands‑free setups and ban any manual interaction with the device.

States Without Full Hands‑Free Bans

That leaves 19 states without a complete handheld prohibition. While texting is banned almost everywhere (48 states + D.C.), many states still allow drivers to manually dial, navigate, or handle calls, especially outside school or work zones. For example, Montana lacks a statewide overlay but allows certain cities to create local bans. Texas currently bans texting statewide and imposes limited handheld restrictions—for school zones, learner’s permits, and drivers under age 18—under TxDOT regulations.

Upcoming Changes in Texas

Texas lawmakers have recognized the gap. Senate Bill 47 (Allie’s Way), supported by Sen. Judith Zaffirini, would expand the texting ban into a broader hands‑free law—allowing usage only through voice or mounted systems. SB 47 has gained media attention, including in Express‑News and is moving through committees during the 2025 legislative session.

Why States Are Adopting Hands‑Free Laws

Research suggests that laws banning handheld device use reduce driver distraction. Colorado saw a 19% drop in inattentive-driving crashes within five months of its hands-free law—effective as of January 1, 2025—according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Additionally, data from New York show sustained reductions in handheld use after the initial law went into effect.

Variations and Exceptions

Hands‑free laws typically include:

• Primary enforcement, meaning handheld use alone justifies a traffic stop.
• Emergency call exceptions, allowing 911 use when hands-free isn’t possible.
• Novice driver restrictions, often stricter for teens and permit-holders.
• Preemption clauses, which block more restrictive local rules—for example in Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina.

Why Some States Hold Off

Legislators in states without full bans cite differing priorities—local control, enforcement complexity, civil-liberty concerns, or lobbying resistance. Still, broad legislative momentum continues: after Pennsylvania in 2025, momentum continues in places like Texas.

Text‑Only vs. Hands‑Free Laws—What’s the Difference?

• Text-only bans: Prohibit composing or reading texts, emails, or social media messages while driving. Enforced primarily in 48 states + D.C.

• Hands-free (no-touch) bans: Prohibit all manual interactions—calls, navigation, scrolling—requiring fully hands-free operation.

How to Stay Lawful and Safe

• Check your state: Refer to the bullet list above or consult TxDOT’s “Talk. Text. Crash.” campaign for Texas regulations.

• Equip your vehicle: Use Bluetooth, voice assistants, or phone mounts.

• Mind novice restrictions: Teens and permit holders often face stricter enforcement.

• Know enforcement rules: In many states, handheld use is a primary offense and can lead to tickets and fines even without another violation.

The Bottom Line

As of mid‑2025, 30 states and D.C. enforce laws prohibiting the handling of devices while driving, with 19 states remaining without full coverage. Texting is illegal in nearly every state. Ongoing initiatives like Texas SB 47 and strong safety data suggest that the number of hands‑free states is likely to grow soon.

For a full breakdown of your state’s distracted-driving laws, see the related Wikipedia page on cell‑phone restrictions