There are few things more frustrating than glancing at the driver beside you, only to find their eyes glued to their lap with one hand on the wheel, unfocused on the road. What’s worse is if that driver is in a massive, 18-wheeler semi-truck.
Distracted driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk, and 1 in every 4 accidents was caused due to texting. Teens are more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than adults because they are also more likely to be on their phone.
Accidents caused by truck drivers on their phones accounts for 15% of all traffic accidents in the United States. Distracted driving, aka cell phone usage while behind the wheel, has become such a prevalent issue that all states have had to pass laws discouraging the use of phones, and encouraging safer driving.
Any commercial driver caught texting and driving can suffer a fine up to $10,000 or more, and the carrier employing the driver can face an additional fines as well. Along with the fine comes a 10-point violation on the driver’s CDL record. Depending on what state you live in, that many points could cause your license to be suspended.
What exactly is “Texting”? According to the FMCSA
"Texting means manually entering text into, or reading text from, an electronic device.
Texting includes (but is not limited to), short message services, e-mailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access a Web page, pressing more than a single button to initiate or terminate a call using a mobile telephone, or engaging in any other form of electronic text retrieval or entry, for present or future communication."
50 States Law & Penalty Information
This is a rapidly changing information set. Be sure to reference your local government website for the most current information.
Alabama
Law: Alabama bans all cell phone usage for novice (defined as ages 16-17 with an intermediate license less than 6 months) drivers, and bans texting for all drivers.
Penalty: $25 and 2 points
Alaska
Law: Alaska bans texting for all drivers
Penalty: $10,000 fine and one year in prison
Arizona
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for school bus drivers. No laws in effect at this time
Penalty: N/A
Arkansas
Law: Handheld ban for drivers age 18-20 years old, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (Novice drivers are any drivers under age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine and 10 days in prison
California
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers under the age of 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $20 fine
Colorado
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers under the age of 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages
Penalty: $50 fine
Connecticut
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers, Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine
Delaware
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (novice drivers are defined as those with learner permits or intermediate license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $50 fine
District of Columbia
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (novice is defined as anyone with a learner’s permit), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine
Florida
Law: Ban on texting for all ages
Penalty: N/A
Georgia
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (all drivers under age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $150 fine
Hawaii
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers, Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: N/A
Idaho
Law: Ban on texting for drivers of all ages, Idaho has a "Distraction in/on Vehicle (List)" attribute as part of its Contributing Circumstances element, and officers are supposed to list the distractions.
Penalty: $81.50 fine
Illinois
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers under age 19),Ban on texting for drivers of all ages, bans the use of cellphones while driving in a school zone or in a highway construction zone, Handheld ban for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $75 fine
Indiana
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers under age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $35.50 fine
Iowa
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (all drivers with restricted or intermediate licenses), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $30 fine
Kansas
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (anyone with learner’s permit or intermediate license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $60 fine
Kentucky
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers(under age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $25 fine plus surcharge fee
Louisiana
Law: Handheld ban for drivers with a learner's permit or intermediate license regardless of age, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers under 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages (Primary law).
Penalty: $175 fine
Maine
Law: Maine has passed a law making it against the law to drive while distracted in the state.
Penalty: $250-$500 fine
Maryland
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (under age 18 with learner’s permit or provisional license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $500 fine
Massachusetts
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (up to age 18 with a learner’s permit or provisional license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine
Michigan
Law: Ban on texting for drivers of all ages, teens with probationary licenses whose cell phone usage contributes to a traffic crash or ticket may not use a cell phone while driving, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers.
Penalty: $100 fine
Minnesota
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers(under age 18 with a learner’s permit or provisional license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $135 fine
Mississippi
Law: Went into effect in July 2015, Ban on texting for all drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers.
Penalty: $500 fine
Missouri
Law: Ban on texting for any drivers 21 and under.
Penalty: $20.50 for drivers 21 and under
Montana
Law: No current ban
Penalty: N/A
Nebraska
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (under age 18 with learner’s permit or provisional license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages
Penalty: $200 fine.
Nevada
Law: Handheld and texting ban for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $50 fine
New Hampshire
Law: Effective as of 2015, handheld ban for drivers of all ages, ban on all cell phone usage for novice drivers (drivers 18 and under), New Hampshire enacted a comprehensive distracted driving law into effect.
Penalty: $100 fine
New Jersey
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers 21 and under with learners permit or provisional license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine
New Mexico
Law: Handheld ban for drivers with in-state vehicles, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers, Ban on texting for drivers of all ages
Penalty: $25 fine.
New York
Law: Handheld ban and texting ban for all drivers.
Penalty: $235 fine
North Carolina
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (all drivers under age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine plus surcharge fee
North Dakota
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (all drivers through age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $100 fine
Ohio
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers, Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $150 fine
Oklahoma
Law: Ban on texting for drivers of all ages, ban on cellphone usage for all age drivers with learner permits.
Penalty: $100 fine
Oregon
Law: Handheld ban for drivers of all ages, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (drivers through age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $250 fine
Pennsylvania
Law: Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $50 fine
Rhode Island
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (all drivers under age 18), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages..
Penalty: $85 fine
South Carolina
Law: Ban on texting
Penalty: N/A
South Dakota
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers, Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: N/A
Tennessee
Law: Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for bus drivers, Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers (any driver with a learner’s permit or intermediate license), Ban on texting for drivers of all ages.
Penalty: $50 fine
Texas
Law: Ban on all cell phones for bus drivers (anyone driving people 17 an under) and novice drivers (anyone driving less than 12 months), ban on texting for bus drivers, novice drivers, and anyone in a school zone.
Penalty: $200-$500 depending on city
Utah
Law: Ban on texting for drivers of all ages, Utah's law defines careless driving as committing a moving violation (other than speeding) while distracted by use of a handheld cell phone or other activities not related to driving, Ban on all cell phone use for novice drivers.
Penalty: $750 plus 90 days in prison
Vermont
Law: Ban on all cell phone usage for drivers under 18, ban on texting for all drivers.
Penalty: $156 fine
Virginia
Law: Ban on cell phone use for bus drivers and novice drivers (under age 18), ban on texting for all drivers.
Penalty: $20 fine
Washington
Law: Handheld phone and texting ban for all drivers, ban on all cell phones for novice drivers (learner’s permit or intermediate).
Penalty: $124 fine
West Virginia
Law: For all drivers, there is a ban on handheld devices and texting, for novice drivers (learner’s permit or intermediate license).
Penalty: $100 fine
Wisconsin
Law: Complete ban on texting for all drivers, ban on cell phone use for novice drivers.
Penalty: $20-$400 fine
Wyoming
Law: Ban on texting for all drivers, ban on cell phone usage for novice drivers.
Penalty: $75 fine
The increase in texting while driving laws in general increases the need for safe truckers. It’s more important than ever to look for a high-quality CDL training program that will make sure you are well-versed in the latest federal and state safety standards.
Reference:
FMCSA No Texting Rule Fact Sheet
