Can I use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving?

The question "Can I use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving?" is an interesting one, because there are a lot of ambiguous laws around the world relating to this question. For example, in Northern Ireland, as long as the phone is operated without holding the device in your hand i.e. using hands-free, using a mobile phone while driving isn"t actually prohibited by recent laws.

Can I use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving in the U.K?

A number of driving related organisations e.g. DSA, DVLA have stated that it"s illegal to operate a hand-held mobile phone and it has been since the year 2003. Being found using a mobile phone whilst driving in the U.K. can result in fines and a number of penalty points (3) being added to your driving licence.

Can I use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving in the U.K in conjunction with a hands-free device?

Whilst using a mobile phone with a hands-free device while driving isn"t strictly illegal in the U.K., if you happen to be in an accident, using a mobile phone with hands-free will have a bearing on your case in court. The prosecutor will be able to argue the point that you were being a careless/distracted driver and if you are thought to have not been in total control of the car when using hands-free features, you"ll be prosecuted and recieve the same punishments as if you were actually holding the device.

Can I use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving in an emergency situation?

Yes, you are legally allowed to make calls to 999 to get in contact with emergency services if there"s a genuine emergency. If it is impractical or unsafe to stop, the use mobile phones whilst driving is allowed and you are exempt from the law against operating a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving.

Can I use a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving if I am stuck in traffic or have pulled over to the side of the road?

In the U.K. it is illegal to operate a hand-held mobile while you"re in the driver"s seat and the engine is running. Therefore, using a mobile while stopped at traffic lights, or even when pulled over isn"t legal. If you really need to have a conversation with someone, you should keep the conversation as brief as possible to make the phone call as safe as you can.

Can I use a hand-held mobile device whilst driving in other countries?

In the U.S., no ban is currently in place for adults driving vehicles (as long as they"re non-commercial). Approximately 30 of the U.S. states have a ban in place to regulate the use of phones by young people whilst they"re driving though e.g. Indiana and Kentucky both don"t allow those under 18 to operate a mobile whilst driving. In New Jersey, the law applies to young drivers below 21.

There are several countries where only the use of hand-held phone is illegal (e.g. can still use hands-free) and some of these are: Australia, Portugal, Russia, Republic of China, and Italy.

In some countries, the use of phones while driving is legal for all drivers e.g. in all Canadian provinces except Alberta, New Brunswick and Quebec, the act of using a mobile phone whilst driving is completely legal.