5 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have cell phone laws prohibiting driving while talking on handheld cell phones. Other states have bans for use in these specific situations:

• 17 states and the District of Columbia ban the use of cell phones for novice drivers.
• 14 states and the District of Columbia prohibit school bus drivers from all cell phone use when passengers are present, except for in emergencies.
• Washington and New Jersey ban texting while driving for all drivers. Other states are considering the ban.
• No state completely bans all types of cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) while driving.

State	Restrictions	Preemption Laws	Provisions for Novice Drivers?
Alabama
Arizona	No cell phone use for School bus drivers while operating a school bus, except for emergencies.
California	Use of cellular phones while driving a school or transit bus is prohibited. Rental cars with cellular phone equipment must include written operating instructions concerning its safe use. Eff. 7/2008, all drivers must use hands free device, except for emergencies, and drivers of emergency response vehicles (commercial vehicle drivers exempted from requirement until 2011).		Prohibits any mobile device use by any driver under age 18. Emergency calls are exempted. (eff. 7/1/2008)
Connecticut	Drivers on public and private roads must use hands free device, except for emergency situations and legitimate use by drivers of school buses (without passengers), buses, taxis and tow trucks in the performance of job duties. Use of cellular devices while operating a school bus with passengers is prohibited.		Persons holding a learner permit and drivers under 18 may not use any hand-held mobile telephone (including hands-free devices) while operating a motor vehicle (emergency situations excepted.)
D.C.	All drivers (regardless of residency) must use hands free device, except for emergencies and on-duty emergency and police personnel. School bus drivers may not use cell phones, except for emergencies.		Persons holding a learner permit may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cell phone.
Georgia	School bus drivers may not use cell phones or two-way radios while loading or unloading passengers nor while the bus is in motion.
Idaho
Indiana
Kansas
Louisiana		Only the state legislature can establish cell phone usage laws. The cities and parish governments are forbidden from enacting legislation.
Maryland			Drivers under 18 holding a learner or provisional license may not use a wireless communication device, except to contact a 911 system.
Michigan	Local jurisdictions may impose restrictions on cell phone devices.
Mississippi		State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions on use in motor vehicles.
Montana
Nevada		State and local entities prohibited from regulating use of cellular phones, satellite phones, portable phones or any other similar electronic devices in motor vehicles.
New Jersey	School bus drivers may not use cell phones while operating a school bus, except for emergencies. Hands free cell phone devices are required while operating a vehicle (emergencies excepted). Text-messaging is prohibited (eff. 3/1/08).	Localities are prohibited from enacting restrictions on using cell phones while driving.	Use is prohibited for drivers under 21 while operating a moving vehicle (except in an emergency situation) on a Graduated License permit or provisional license.
New York	Hands free cell phone devices are required while operating a vehicle (hand-held cell phones can only be used in emergencies). State legislature approved cell phone and driving studies.
North Dakota
Oklahoma		State law prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting restrictions on use in motor vehicles.
Pennsylvania	Local jurisdictions may impose restrictions on use of cell phones while driving.
South Carolina
Tennessee	School bus drivers may not use cell phones while operating a school bus while transporting children, except for emergencies.		No driver possessing a learner permit or intermediate driver license shall operate a motor vehicle in motion on any highway while using a hand held cellular telephone, cellular car telephone, or other mobile telephone.
Utah	Dealt with as a distracted driving issue; state law includes “careless driving” offenses, defined as when a driver commits a traffic violation while distracted, including while holding a cell phone.	Municipalities may not establish cell phone regulations.
Virgin Islands	Hands free cell phone devices required while operating a vehicle (may be used in case of emergency)
Washington	Hands free cell phone devices are required while operating a vehicle (eff. 7/1/2008). Exempts drivers of emergency vehicles and tow trucks, drivers who have hearing aids and drivers reporting emergencies or illegal activities. Secondary enforcement. Drivers may not send, read or write a text message while driving unless operating an emergency vehicle or reporting an emergency or illegal activity. Not part of record, not given to insurance companies. Secondary enforcement.
Wisconsin

Data provided by Governors Highway Safety Association

Shop at our DMS store for bluetooth headsets and car kits for your auto.