Photo: Mussi Katz, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
In California, a driver under 18 may not use a cell phone or other wireless device while driving, even hands-free. The only exception is a call for emergency help. Drivers 18 and over may use a phone only in hands-free mode, mounted, with a single swipe or tap. This guide is for permit holders, provisional drivers and parents who want the exact rules, what they mean for GPS and music, and what a ticket costs.
Key facts (as of November 2026)
- Under 18 (permit or provisional license): no phone or wireless device use while driving, including hands-free. Emergency calls are allowed.
- 18 and over: no holding the phone. Mount it on the windshield, dashboard or center console where it does not block your view, and use only a single swipe or tap.
- No one may write, send or read texts or emails while driving.
- Base fine for a hand-held violation: $20 for a first offense and $50 for each later offense. Court penalty assessments make the real ticket much higher.
- Points: a hand-held conviction adds a point when it comes within 36 months of an earlier conviction for the same offense (rule in force since July 1, 2021).
Who the California rules cover
| Driver | Hand-held phone | Hands-free calls and voice texting | Emergency call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit holder under 18 | Banned | Banned | Allowed |
| Provisional license holder under 18 | Banned | Banned | Allowed |
| Permit holder 18 or over | Banned | Allowed, phone mounted | Allowed |
| Licensed driver 18 or over | Banned | Allowed, phone mounted | Allowed |
The under-18 ban follows your age, not your license type. It ends on your 18th birthday, even if you still have time left on your provisional restrictions. The night and passenger limits are separate rules, covered in California provisional license rules for under 18 drivers.
What the hands-free law allows drivers 18 and over
The California Driver’s Handbook sets out the adult rule in plain terms:
- Use the phone only in hands-free mode, and only when necessary.
- Mount it on the windshield, dashboard or center console. It must not block your view of the road.
- Touch it only with a single swipe or tap to turn a feature on or off.
- Do not send or read texts or emails while driving.
The handbook also advises letting calls go to voicemail and pulling safely off the road if you must make or return one.
Can a California teen driver use GPS or music on a phone?
The handbook states the minors rule as no using a cell phone or electronic wireless device to answer calls or send or respond to texts while driving. The Vehicle Code rule for minors is wider and applies even to hands-free use. So the safe approach for drivers under 18 is:
- Enter the destination and start the route before you put the car in gear.
- Pick your playlist before you leave, then leave the phone alone.
- If you need to change anything, park first.
- Do not answer a call through the car’s Bluetooth. That is still using a phone while driving.
Scenario: the call from Mom
A 17-year-old provisional driver gets a call from a parent through the car speakers and answers it with the steering-wheel button. Under California’s minors rule, that is phone use while driving, even though it is hands-free. The fix is simple: let it ring, then call back once parked. The only call a minor may make while driving is one for emergency help.
How much is a phone ticket in California?
| Offense | Base fine | Point on your record |
|---|---|---|
| First hand-held conviction | $20 | No |
| Later hand-held conviction | $50 | Yes, if within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense |
The base fine is only the starting figure. Courts add state and county penalty assessments, so the amount on the ticket is several times higher. Check the exact amount with the court named on your citation.
Why one phone ticket matters more on a provisional license
A point that would barely affect an adult can trigger the DMV’s provisional license actions. The DMV applies stricter point limits to provisional drivers than to adults. Insurers also see convictions. See California DMV points and traffic violator school for the thresholds.
Phones and the California drive test
Put the phone on silent and out of reach before the examiner gets in. The phone law applies during the test exactly as on any other drive. More on what fails the test: California drive test critical driving errors.
Common questions
Is it legal to text at a red light in California?
No. The handbook says not to send or read texts or emails while driving, and you are still driving while stopped in traffic. Pull over and park first.
Can a 16-year-old use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto?
Not for calls or messages. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone while driving even hands-free, and CarPlay and Android Auto run through your phone. Set navigation before you leave.
Can I hold my phone if I am 18 and on a permit?
No. Nobody may hold a phone while driving in California. At 18 you follow the adult rule: mounted, hands-free, single swipe or tap.
Does the teen rule apply if I am only practicing with a parent?
Yes. The minors rule covers any driver under 18, including permit holders driving with a supervising adult.
Can I call 911 while driving?
Yes. Calling for emergency help is the one exception for minors. If you can safely pull over first, do.
Do phone tickets raise insurance?
They can. Insurers see convictions on your record, and California’s Good Driver Discount depends on a clean record. See California insurance minimums.
Back to the complete California learner guide. Other states: hands-free and texting laws for US drivers.
Sources
- California DMV, “California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving” (dmv.ca.gov)
- California Legislative Information, “Vehicle Code sections 23123.5, 23124 and 12810.3” (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov)
- Judicial Council of California, “Traffic Infraction Fixed Penalty Schedule” (courts.ca.gov)
- California Highway Patrol, “Distracted Driving” (chp.ca.gov)