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Maryland drivers under 18 may not use a phone while driving, hand-held or hands-free, except to call 911. Learner’s permit and provisional license holders who are 18 or older may not use a hand-held phone at all. Every other Maryland driver may use a hand-held phone only to start or end a call or switch the phone on or off, and nobody may text. This page explains each rule, the exceptions and the penalties, section by section.
Key facts (Maryland Transportation Article, as of November 2026)
- Under 18 (§21-1124): no wireless communication device use while driving, hand-held or hands-free. Exception: calling 911.
- Permit or provisional holder 18 or older (§21-1124.2): no hand-held phone use, except emergency calls.
- All drivers (§21-1124.1): no writing, sending or reading texts or electronic messages while driving in the travel portion of the road. GPS use and 911 texts are allowed.
- Hand-held fines: up to $75, $125 and $175 for first, second and third offenses. No points unless the offense contributes to a crash.
- Under 18, the MVA may suspend your license for up to 90 days for a phone or texting violation.
Which Maryland phone rule applies to you?
| You are | Hand-held calls | Hands-free calls | Texting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18, permit or provisional license | No | No | No |
| 18 or older, learner’s permit or provisional license | No (emergencies only) | Yes | No |
| Full license holder | Only to start or end a call or turn the phone on or off | Yes | No |
§21-1124: the under-18 ban
An individual under 18 may not use a wireless communication device while driving. The law defines that as a hand-held or hands-free device used to access wireless telephone service. So Bluetooth calls, speakerphone and earpieces are all covered.
- Exception: contacting a 911 system.
- Penalty: the MVA may suspend your license for up to 90 days. It may issue a restricted license for that time, limited to driving for work, to and from work, or to and from school.
- Hearing: you may request a hearing on the suspension.
The ban ends at 18, but the 18-month provisional period may not. See Maryland provisional license rules.
§21-1124.2: the hand-held ban
This section sets two rules:
- Permit and provisional holders aged 18 or over may not use a hand-held phone while driving.
- All other drivers, while the vehicle is moving, may not use their hands to operate a hand-held phone except to start or end a call or turn the phone on or off.
Emergency exceptions
Emergency use is allowed, including calls to 911, a hospital, an ambulance service, a fire department, a law enforcement agency or a first aid squad.
Penalties
| Conviction | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| First | $75 |
| Second | $125 |
| Third or later | $175 |
Points are not added unless the offense contributes to a crash. For a first offense, the court may waive the penalty if you prove you have bought a hands-free accessory or similar feature for your phone.
§21-1124.1: the texting ban
No driver may use a text messaging device to write, send or read a text or electronic message while driving in the travel portion of the roadway. The section does not apply to using a GPS, or to texting 911. If the driver is under 18, the MVA may also suspend the license for up to 90 days, with the same restricted license option. Check the current fine and point amount for texting with the MVA or the District Court.
§21-1124.3: when phone use causes serious harm
If a texting or hand-held violation causes a crash that immediately results in someone’s death or serious bodily injury, the driver faces up to 1 year in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The offense carries 12 points, and the MVA revokes a license at 12 points (§16-404).
Earphones and headsets
Separate from the phone sections, Maryland bars every driver from wearing headsets, earphones or earplugs in both ears while driving. Hearing aids are allowed. A single earpiece for a hands-free call is not covered by this rule, but drivers under 18 still may not make the call.
Common questions
Can a 17-year-old in Maryland use Bluetooth to talk?
No. The under-18 ban covers hand-held and hands-free devices. Only a call to 911 is allowed.
I am 19 with a provisional license. Can I use hands-free?
Yes. At 18 or over on a permit or provisional license, you may not use a hand-held phone, but the under-18 ban no longer applies, so hands-free calls are allowed. Texting is banned for everyone.
Can I use GPS on my phone in Maryland?
The texting law exempts GPS. Under 18, the device ban still applies, so set the route before you drive and don’t touch the phone. At any age, mount the phone and keep your hands off it while moving.
Do phone tickets add points in Maryland?
Not for a hand-held violation unless it contributes to a crash. Other moving violations do. See the Maryland MVA points system for new drivers.
Can I text at a red light in Maryland?
No. The ban covers driving in the travel portion of the roadway, and a car stopped in a traffic lane is still there. Pull off the road and park.
Is the phone law on the Maryland knowledge test?
It can be. Study it with the Maryland MVA knowledge test guide.
Back to the complete Maryland learner guide. Other states: hands-free and texting laws.
Sources
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §21-1124, §21-1124.1, §21-1124.2 and §21-1124.3” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-402, point system” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)
- Maryland General Assembly, “Transportation Article §16-404, suspension and revocation” (mgaleg.maryland.gov)