Texting While Driving Laws by State
Texting while driving is banned in nearly every state. Here is the national picture and how the bans work.
Texting while driving is banned in nearly every state. Here is the national picture and how the bans work.
Every state except a few has a law against texting while driving. Most make it a primary offense — police can pull you over just for it. A handful treat it as secondary (cited only with another stop). The ban usually covers typing, sending, and reading messages, not hands-free voice commands.
Penalties start small but rise fast for repeat offenses, and many states add license points. See the state chart for the exact rule where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is texting while driving illegal everywhere?
Nearly every state bans it; most as a primary offense. A small number treat it as secondary or have limited bans.
Does the ban cover reading messages?
Yes — typing, sending, and reading texts while driving are all covered in states with a texting ban.
Can I use voice-to-text?
Hands-free voice control is generally allowed even where handheld use is banned, but check your state’s exact wording.