Transportation
Texting and Driving Legality by State 2026
Texting while Driving Legality (& Offense Type)
Banned for all drivers (Primary)
Banned for all drivers (Secondary)
Banned for drivers 21 and younger (Primary)
No ban
State | Texting while Driving Legality (& Offense Type)↓ | Handheld Cell Calls While Driving Legality (& Offense Type) | Young Driver Cell Use Legality (& Offense Type) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Alabama | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for 16-year-old drivers and 17-year old drivers who have had an intermediate license for less than 6 months (Primary) |
 | Alaska | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | Arizona | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders during the first 6 months after licensing (Secondary) |
 | Arkansas | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers 18 and over but under 21, banned in school and highway work zones (Secondary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Secondary) |
 | California | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Secondary) |
 | Colorado | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Connecticut | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Delaware | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | District of Columbia | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Florida | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | Georgia | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Hawaii | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Idaho | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban |
 | Illinois | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers and learner's permit holders under 19 (Primary) |
 | Indiana | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 21 (Primary) |
 | Iowa | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | Kansas | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | Kentucky | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Louisiana | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned in signed school zones (Primary) | Banned for all novice drivers (Primary) |
 | Maine | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | Maryland | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Massachusetts | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Michigan | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders, integrated voice operating systems excepted (Primary) |
 | Minnesota | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and provisional license holders during the first 12 months after licensing (Primary) |
 | Mississippi | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | Nevada | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban |
 | New Hampshire | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | New Jersey | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | New Mexico | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | New York | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban |
 | North Carolina | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | North Dakota | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Oklahoma | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit and intermediate license holders (Primary) | No ban |
 | Oregon | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Pennsylvania | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | Rhode Island | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | South Carolina | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | South Dakota | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Secondary) |
 | Tennessee | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | Texas | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned in school crossing zones and on public school property during the time the reduced speed limit applies (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Utah | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Vermont | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Virginia | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Washington | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | West Virginia | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | Banned for drivers under 18 who have a learner's permit or intermediate license (Primary) |
 | Wisconsin | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders (Primary) |
 | Wyoming | Banned for all drivers (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | Nebraska | Banned for all drivers (Secondary) | No ban | Banned for learner's permit holders and intermediate license holders under 18 (Secondary) |
 | Ohio | Banned for all drivers (Secondary) | No ban | Banned for drivers under 18 (Primary) |
 | Missouri | Banned for drivers 21 and younger (Primary) | No ban | No ban |
 | Montana | No ban | No ban | No ban |
Primary Offense A violation that allows law enforcement to stop and cite a driver without any other traffic offense.
Secondary Offense A violation that can only be cited if the driver is stopped for another reason.
States Where Texting While Driving Is Fully Banned (Primary Enforcement)
Most U.S. states prohibit texting while driving as a primary offense, meaning law enforcement can stop and cite a driver solely for this violation. These laws apply to all drivers and represent the strictest level of enforcement.
States in this category include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
States Where Texting While Driving Is Banned (Secondary Enforcement)
Some states prohibit texting while driving but classify it as a secondary offense, meaning drivers can only be cited if they are stopped for another traffic violation.
States in this category include Nebraska and Ohio.
States with Partial or Age-Based Texting Restrictions
A small number of states do not have a full ban for all drivers but instead restrict texting while driving based on age or license status. These laws typically apply to younger or novice drivers.
Missouri is currently the only state in this category.
States with No Statewide Texting Ban
A very small number of states do not have a comprehensive statewide ban on texting while driving, meaning there is no universal restriction applying to all drivers.
Montana is the only state in this category.
Additional Cell Phone Restrictions by State
Beyond texting bans, many states impose additional restrictions on mobile device use while driving. These often include bans on handheld phone use for all drivers or specific limitations for younger or newly licensed drivers.
While these rules vary widely, they commonly restrict handheld calls, limit device use for learner’s permit or intermediate license holders, or apply enhanced enforcement in school zones and work areas.
