If you’ve caught yourself reaching for your phone at a red light lately, you might want to think twice — depending on where you live, that quick grab could cost you. More than 30 states now have some version of a “hands-free” or “no-touch” phone law on the books, making it illegal to hold or manually use a cell phone while driving. The laws vary from state to state — some ban any handheld use altogether, while others allow limited actions like a single tap to answer a call. Regardless, the goal is the same: to keep drivers’ eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
For many, this shift means rethinking driving habits, including the urge to check directions and answer calls while on the go. Keep reading to find out whether your state has a no-touch phone law, what the penalties look like if you’re caught breaking it and to discover a few products that can help you stay hands-free — and compliant — behind the wheel.
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What is the no-touch phone law?
“No-touch laws are the evolution of texting-while-driving laws,” says Ryan McMahon, senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Cambridge Mobile Telematics, the world’s largest telematics and AI service provider focused on driver safety. “Those laws were written when texting was the primary concern. Today, drivers are scrolling, using social media, changing music, reading emails and doing countless other things on their phones.”
The no-touch phone law (also called a hands-free driving law) makes it illegal for drivers to hold or manually operate a cell phone while behind the wheel. It varies by state, but generally hands-free functions like voice commands and Bluetooth are permitted. “These laws also make enforcement simpler,” says McMahon. “An officer doesn’t have to determine whether someone holding a phone was texting, scrolling or doing something else.”
Most of these laws do carve out exceptions for emergency calls to 911, use by law enforcement and first responders, and phone use while a vehicle is safely stopped or parked.
Which states have the no-touch phone law?
As of 2026, no-touch phone laws are the majority rule in the U.S. rather than the exception. The Governors Highway Safety Association reports that 33 states (at the time of publishing we counted more) plus Washington D.C. now ban handheld phone use for all drivers, generally prohibiting drivers from holding a device at all while behind the wheel. The exact details of these laws vary by state — some allow a single tap to answer a call, while others, like California, have clarified that drivers may not touch a phone at all while driving, even when stopped at a red light.
Each state approaches this legislation differently, so it’s tough to put together a comprehensive list, but the below states are commonly recognized as the ones with the more formalized and stringent laws.
What happens if you break the no-touch phone law?
Penalties for violating a no-touch phone law vary by state, but in reviewing the laws in various states I found that most follow a similar pattern: a fine for a first offense, followed by steeper fines, license points (penalties added to your driving record), or both for repeat violations. Fines commonly start in the range of $50–$150 for a first offense and can climb well past $200–$500 for second or subsequent violations within a set period, sometimes with added court fees. A handful of states (including Alaska and Georgia) escalate to misdemeanor charges or license suspension for habitual offenders.
Beyond the ticket itself, a citation can have longer-term financial consequences. Points on your license or a moving violation on your record often lead to higher auto insurance premiums, sometimes for several years, according to experts.
Because penalty amounts, point systems, and enforcement rules differ by state — and change fairly often as legislatures update distracted driving laws — it’s worth confirming the exact penalties for your state through its DMV website.
The best phone mounts for your car
Using Bluetooth and a phone mount so your phone is easily accessible for a quick swipe (if your state allows it), is a good way to abide by no-touch phone laws, according to McMahon. “Just remember the goal is to minimize interaction with the phone while driving,” he adds.
Below, I rounded up devices that either help you mount your phone so it is within reach but out of your hands or that help utilize your car’s Bluetooth system. I focused on items that have at least a four-star average rating from thousands of customers.
This little dongle plugs into your car’s USB port and converts factory wired CarPlay into wireless CarPlay — giving you hands-free access to navigation, music, and calls via voice commands, so your phone can stay in your pocket the entire drive.
This phone mount attaches securely to your dashboard, windshield, or air vent using a powerful reusable suction cup system. It features a 360-degree swivel head, extendable telescopic arm, and adjustable clamp that fits phones between 4 and 7 inches (which covers most iPhones and Androids).
Compatible with iPhones that have MagSafe capability, this dashboard mount snaps your phone into place and rotates 360 degrees, letting you navigate or take calls hands-free or with minimal touching of your phone.
With a bendable 14-inch gooseneck arm and heavy-duty suction cup, this mount attaches to your windshield or dashboard and holds your phone exactly where you need it to navigate or take calls without ever picking it up. The adjustable clip fits both iPhone and Androids.
This mount attaches securely to your dashboard and rotates a full 360 degrees, letting you angle your phone for easy viewing whether you place it vertically or horizontally. It is compatible with most phones and it comes with reusable adhesive in case you need to move it.
What does the no-touch phone law allow you to do with your phone in the car?
Even though no-touch laws restrict handling your phone, they don’t require you to ignore it altogether — they just push all interaction into hands-free territory. South Carolina’s law, for example, allows an earpiece or a voice-based device worn on the wrist, and drivers can talk hands-free as long as they aren’t holding or supporting the phone with any part of their body. In practice, this means most states allow you to make and receive calls through Bluetooth, a car’s built-in system, or a speakerphone, as long as you’re not gripping the device.
Voice commands — like asking Siri or Google Assistant to place a call, send a text, or pull up directions — are generally fine too, since the point is keeping your hands and eyes off the device, not banning phone functions outright.
Mounted phones are typically allowed as well (and encouraged by a number of states), so you can still use your phone as a GPS if it’s secured to your dashboard or windshield, provided you’re not picking it up or manually typing while driving. Some states, like New Jersey, also permit a single tap or swipe to start or end a call or activate navigation before you start driving, while others require the entire interaction to be voice-activated. Most laws also carve out exceptions for emergencies, such as calling 911 to report a crash or dangerous situation. Again, because the laws vary by state, it’s best to check the DMV site to read the parameters for your state.
Frequently asked questions
Using your phone while driving can distract you from things happening on the roads around you, which can lead to unsafe driving and accidents. “In an analysis by CMT [Cambridge Mobile Telematics], we found that drivers who use their phones behind the wheel are 240 percent more likely to crash,” says McMahon. “This isn’t just a texting problem. Anything that takes your eyes and attention away from the road creates risk.”
“There’s no clear before or after as of yet,” says Amanda Demanda, a personal injury lawyer in Miami. “Though after Oregon and Washington put broad no-holding laws on the books, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found a drop in rear-end crashes compared to states that didn’t have the law.”
Meet our traffic safety and legal experts
At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Ryan McMahon is the senior vice president of strategy and corporate development at Cambridge Mobile Telematics, the world’s largest telematics and AI service provider focused on driver safety.
- Amanda Demanda is a personal injury lawyer and founder of The Law Offices of Amanda Demanda.
Why trust NBC Selected?
I am a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers wellness, beauty, and lifestyle. I have written about relieving shoulder pain and whether or not makeup wipes are bad for you.
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