U.S. cell phone laws at a glance

An up-to-date listing of cell phone and texting restrictions across the States. Click on the state’s name to view a full report on laws, legislation and related information.

Alabama: No limits on cell phone use.

Alaska: Drivers are banned from text-messaging or watching videos as of Sept. 1.

Arizona: School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving. In Phoenix, drivers prohibited from using “personal digital assistants to send or receive a written message” (texting).

Arkansas: School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

California: Adult drivers (18 and older) must use hands-free devices. Minors are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free devices. Effective Jan. 1, 2009, all drivers prohibited from using wireless devices for sending text messages. School bus operators and transit bus drivers prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Colorado: Drivers with learner’s permits prohibited from using cell phones.

Connecticut: Adult drivers (18 and older) must use hands-free devices. Minors are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free devices. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Delaware: Drivers with learner’s permits prohibited from using cell phones. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

District of Columbia: Drivers must use hands-free devices. Drivers with learner’s permits prohibited from using cell phones. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Florida: No limits on cell phone use.

Georgia: School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving, if passengers are present.

Hawaii: No limits on cell phone use except for Army bases (prohibited).

Idaho: No limits on cell phone use.

Illinois: Statewide, drivers under the age of 19 are prohibited from using wireless phones while driving — with or without hands-free devices. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving if passengers are present. In Chicago, all drivers must use hands-free devices.

Indiana: No limits on cell phone use.

Iowa: No limits on cell phone use.

Kansas: No limits on cell phone use.

Kentucky: Drivers under the age of 18 with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses prohibited from using cell phones. School bus operators prohibited from non-official use of cell phones while transporting children.

Louisiana: No limits on cell phone use.

Maine: Drivers under the age of 18 prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Maryland: Drivers under the age of 18 and drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones.

Massachusetts: School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Michigan: In Detroit, drivers must use hands-free devices.

Minnesota: Drivers under the age of 18 with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Text messaging ban in effect Aug. 1, 2008.

Mississippi: No limits on cell phone use.

Missouri: No limits on cell phone use.

Montana: No limits on cell phone use.

Nebraska: Drivers under the age of 18 with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones.

Nevada: No limits on cell phone use.

New Hampshire: No limits on cell phone use.

New Jersey: Drivers must use hands-free devices. Text messaging and use of video games prohibited while driving. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Drivers under the age of 21 with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

New Mexico: No statewide limits on cell phone use. Some local ordinances.

New York: Drivers must use hands-free devices for cell phone calls.

North Carolina: Drivers under the age of 18 with provisional licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, unless calling parents. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

North Dakota: No limits on cell phone use.

Ohio: No statewide limits on cell phone use. Some local ordinances.

Oklahoma: No limits on cell phone use.

Oregon: Drivers under the age of 18 with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones or text messaging while driving.

Pennsylvania: No statewide limits on cell phone use. Some local ordinances.

Rhode Island: Drivers under the age of 18 prohibited from using cell phones while driving. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

South Carolina: No limits on cell phone use.

South Dakota: No limits on cell phone use.

Tennessee: Drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving, if passengers are present.

Texas: Drivers with intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. School bus operators prohibited from using cell phones while driving, if passengers under 18 are present.

Utah: No limits on cell phone use.

Vermont: No limits on cell phone use.

Virginia: Drivers with intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

Washington: Text messaging prohibited while driving. Drivers must use hands-free devices.

West Virginia: Drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate licenses are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. School bus drivers prohibited from using cell phones while operating the vehicles.

Wyoming: No limits on cell phone use.