This page lists those countries that have banned the use of a cell phone when driving unless used with some form of hands-free kit.
Country Listing (USA in separate table at the bottom)
| Country | Banned | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Australia |
Yes |
Banned in all states - fines vary though. |
|
Austria |
Yes |
Fines vary - up to US$22 per incident |
| Bahrain |
Yes |
Offenders face fines - possibly prison |
|
Belgium |
Yes |
Phones can be used without a hands-free unit when the car is stationary - but not while in traffic (such as at traffic lights) |
|
Brazil |
Yes |
Ban imposed Jan. 2001 |
|
Botswana |
Being debated |
The attorney general is drafting the legislation |
|
Canada |
Variable |
Banned in Newfoundland (Dec2002) fines up to US$180. Discussed again October 2006. |
|
Chile |
Yes |
|
|
China |
Yes |
Reported to be covered by general "good driving practice" legislation. |
|
Czech Republic |
Yes |
|
|
Denmark |
Yes |
Ban imposed July 1998 - US$60 fine for infringements |
|
Egypt |
Yes |
Fines of about US$100 per offence. |
|
Finland |
Yes |
Ban imposed January 2003 - US$55 fine for infringements |
|
France |
Yes |
Banned 2003, EUR40 fine per infraction |
|
Germany |
Yes |
Ban imposed Feb. 2001 - usage allowed without a hands-free unit only when the engine is switched off. Fine of �40 per infraction |
|
Greece |
Yes |
|
|
Hong Kong |
Yes |
|
|
Hungary |
Yes |
Not often implemented by the police |
|
India - New Delhi |
Yes |
New Delhi - Ban extended to ban all use of cell phones when driving, including use with a hands-free unit - July 2001 Andhra Pradesh - Ban now enforced with prison sentences
|
|
Ireland |
Yes |
Banned, with a US$380 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment on a third offence. Handsfree kits allowed, although that is subject to review. |
|
Isle of Man |
Yes |
Banned since July 2000 |
|
Israel |
Yes |
|
|
Italy |
Yes |
Fines of up to US$124 per infraction |
|
Japan |
Yes |
Ban imposed Nov. 1999 |
|
Jersey |
Yes |
Ban imposed Feb. 1998 |
|
Jordan |
Yes |
Ban imposed Oct. 2001 |
|
Kenya |
Yes |
Ban imposed late 2001 |
|
Malaysia |
Yes |
|
|
Mexico |
Partial |
Ban in Mexico City |
|
Netherlands |
Yes |
|
|
New Zealand |
Being debated |
Under debate - consultation being sought from interested parties |
|
Norway |
Yes |
Fines of over $600 per infraction |
|
Pakistan |
Partial |
Banned in Islamabad |
|
Philippines |
Yes |
|
|
Poland |
Yes |
Fines can be as high as US$1,000 |
|
Portugal |
Yes |
|
|
Romania |
Yes |
|
|
Russia |
Yes |
Ban imposed by Prime Minister - March 2001 |
|
Singapore |
Yes |
|
|
Slovak Republic |
Yes |
|
|
Slovenia |
Yes |
|
|
South Africa |
Yes |
|
|
South Korea |
Yes |
Ban imposed July 2001 - US$47 fine + 15 points on the license. |
|
Spain |
Yes |
|
|
Sweden |
Yes |
|
|
Switzerland |
Yes |
|
|
Taiwan |
Yes |
If the driver is using a reflective screen on the car, local privacy laws forbid stopping the car for violating the ban. |
|
Thailand |
Yes |
Bill proposed in May 2000 |
|
Turkey |
Yes |
|
|
Turkmenistan |
Yes |
Signed into law with effect from May 1st 2003, by President Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy |
|
UK |
Yes |
Banned from December 2003 |
|
Zimbabwe |
Yes |
Ban imposed in Sept 2001, announced via official news agency only though, so not confirmed |
USA states breakdown
| State | Banned? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Alabama |
No |
|
|
Alaska |
No |
|
|
Arkansas |
Partial |
School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone. |
|
Arizona |
Partial |
A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone |
|
California |
Yes |
Bill to introduce ban failed Feb 1998. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, violators face a US$20 fine for a first offense and a US$50 ticket for subsequent infractions. |
|
Colorado |
No |
Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stoped for another violation first |
|
Connecticut |
Yes |
Banned with effect from Oct. 2005 - teens are also forbidden from using handsfree kits while moving |
|
Delaware |
No |
A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested |
|
District of Columbia |
Yes |
Banned from July 2004 |
|
Florida |
Partial |
State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush.. |
|
Georgia |
Partial |
School bus drivers banned from using cell phones while driving. DeKalb County has fines when crashes can be attributed to driving while using a cellphone. |
|
Hawaii |
Being debated |
A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu. |
|
Idaho |
No |
|
|
Illinois |
Partial |
School bus drivers are banned - Chicago has passed a bill banning driving while using a phone, fines of US$50 per infraction. |
|
Indiana |
No |
Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004 |
|
Iowa |
Being debated |
|
|
Kansas |
No |
Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000 |
|
Kentucky |
No |
|
|
Louisiana |
Being debated |
Study into the effects of a ban underway |
|
Maine |
Partial |
Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving |
|
Maryland |
No |
Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel |
|
Massachusetts |
Partial |
Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone. |
|
Michigan |
No |
|
|
Minnesota |
Partial |
Teenagers and provisional drivers are banned - $100 fine plus delays in license upgrades for offenders |
|
Mississippi |
No |
Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban. |
|
Missouri |
No |
|
|
Montana |
No |
|
|
Nebraska |
No |
Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004 |
|
Nevada |
No |
State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003. |
|
New Hampshire |
Partial |
Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident. |
|
New Jersey |
Yes |
Banned from July 2004 - the fine is up to US$250 |
|
New Mexico |
Partial |
Being debated - local ban in the city of Santa Fe |
|
New York |
Yes |
Ban effective from Nov. 2001 |
|
North Carolina |
Being debated |
Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out. |
|
North Dakota |
Being debated |
Bill proposed by Sen. Harvey Tallackson, D-Grafton, Feb 2005 |
|
Ohio |
Partial |
The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn. |
|
Oklahoma |
No |
Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban. |
|
Oregon |
No |
A new bill enacted in Jan 2002 forbids the local governments from implementing their own cell phone ban. |
|
Pennsylvania |
Partial |
Local cities have their own laws - state legislation pending |
|
Rhode Island |
No |
Governor Almond rejected a ban - July 2001. School buses are banned from using a cell phone. Proposal for a ban being debated, April 2004. |
|
South Carolina |
No |
|
|
South Dakota |
No |
|
|
Tennessee |
Partial |
School buses are banned from using a cell phone |
|
Texas |
No |
Senate Bill 154 proposed. If passed would come into effect from 2008. A previous attempt in 2005 failed |
|
Utah |
No |
Bill to introduce ban failed March 1998. Highland city planning a ban - Feb 2005 |
|
Vermont |
No |
|
|
Virginia |
Partial |
Bill banning minors passed Jan 2005. Bill banning 16-17yr olds with conditional licenses passed March 2007 |
|
Washington |
No |
Bill to introduce ban failed Jan 2001. New laws proposed Q1 2005 |
|
West Virginia |
No |
Bill proposed in 1999, but never debated |
|
Wisconsin |
No |
Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998. Bill to ban younger drivers only being debated. |
|
Wyoming |
No |
Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but not debated |
Information is understood to be correct at the time of going to press - please notify us of any oversights by using the contact us option on the bottom menu.
Last update 24th May 2007