Although there is no federal (nationwide) law that prohibits texting or using a wireless phone while driving, many states have passed laws that prohibit such activities—and some municipalities (cities, towns) have also passed ordinances that restrict texting, talking, or emailing while driving. For example:
• 25 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam have banned drivers from hand-held phone use while driving.
• 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam have banned texting while driving for all drivers.
• 37 states and the District of Columbia prohibit all cell phone use by novice drivers.
• 23 states and the District of Columbia prohibit school bus drivers from cell phone use while driving.
For more information on state laws, visit the Governor Highway Safety Association page by copying this link and pasting it into your internet browser: https://www.ghsa.org/state-laws/issues/distracted%20driving
In Texas, texting while driving is prohibited for all drivers. The state law, which took effect on September 1, 2017, makes it illegal to read, write, or send a text while driving. However, the law does not ban the use of hands-free devices or GPS. Additionally, drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using wireless communications devices altogether, even with hands-free features. School bus operators are also banned from using cell phones while driving if children are present. While there is no statewide ban on hand-held phone use for all drivers, some cities and municipalities in Texas have enacted their own ordinances that may restrict or prohibit the use of hand-held devices while driving. Drivers in Texas should be aware of both state laws and local ordinances to ensure compliance.
