Using Your Phone While Driving Laws

Stay Legal Behind the Wheel

Using a phone while driving is no longer a grey area in Great Britain. Since March 2022, it has been illegal to hold and use any handheld device while driving - not just for calls and texts, but for photos, videos, checking apps, scrolling playlists, or adjusting sat-navs. The law applies on motorways, city streets, and country lanes. It still applies if you are stopped at traffic lights, sitting in a queue, or your engine has temporarily shut off with stop-start technology. The only reasonable exceptions are calling the emergency services when it is not safe to stop, or when you are safely parked with the engine off.

Why the change? Earlier rules targeted interactive communication only, which left loopholes. Drivers argued that tapping music apps or opening maps did not count. The 2022 update closed that gap by banning virtually all handheld interactions. Police now use roadside checks and increasingly sophisticated camera systems to identify offences, including in moving traffic. In practice, this means if a phone or tablet is in your hand while you are driving, you are almost certainly breaking the law.

Hands-free use is allowed if your device is secured in a proper holder that does not block your view, or connected via Bluetooth or your car’s infotainment system. Even then, you must remain fully in control. If distraction leads to erratic driving, you can still be prosecuted for careless or dangerous driving. New and young drivers face the highest stakes: collect six points within two years of passing your test and your licence can be revoked. With penalties rising and detection technology improving, the safest, cheapest option is to plan ahead and go hands-free responsibly.

Understanding these rules is not just about avoiding a fine - it is about protecting lives and livelihoods.

Who Needs to Pay Attention

This guidance is for anyone who drives in Great Britain, whether you commute daily, share a family car, or use a van for work. It is especially relevant for new drivers within the first two years of passing, who risk automatic licence revocation if they pick up six points. Company car drivers and tradespeople reliant on navigation or client calls also need clear, compliant setups. If you supervise learner drivers, remember you are legally considered to be driving for the purpose of mobile phone rules. Even if you believe you are a careful, occasional user, the rules apply the moment the vehicle is on the road and your device is in your hand.

Practical Choices You Can Make

1. Use a certified phone mount positioned low, not blocking your view.

2. Connect Bluetooth and set voice control before starting your journey.

3. Use built-in systems like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto via steering controls.

4. Park safely and switch the engine off before using your handset.

5. Pre-programme destinations, playlists, and Do Not Disturb settings.

Next step: spend five minutes before each trip setting your route and enabling Do Not Disturb While Driving.

What It Could Cost - And What You Gain

Who Is Allowed - And When

You can use your phone hands-free if it is in a secure holder and you have full control of the vehicle. Voice commands and steering wheel controls are acceptable. Built-in sat-navs and infotainment systems are legal when used responsibly. You must not hold a device for any function while driving or while stationary in live traffic - this includes traffic lights, congestion, and stop-start moments. The rule also covers tablets and similar devices, whether online, offline, or in flight mode.

If you are supervising a learner driver, the handheld ban applies to you as if you were driving. New drivers are subject to strict penalties: six points within two years of passing leads to licence revocation and the need to reapply and retest. There are limited exceptions, such as calling 999 in an emergency when stopping is unsafe, or using your phone while properly parked with the engine switched off. For those upgrading their in-car setup, consider a compliant mount and reliable Bluetooth - options you might choose to finance alongside other motoring costs.

Set Up For Success - Step by Step

1. Plan your journey and set destination before moving.

2. Connect Bluetooth and enable voice assistant.

3. Secure your phone in a legal, low-position holder.

4. Activate Do Not Disturb While Driving mode.

5. Use steering or voice controls for calls or audio.

6. If you must use the handset, park and switch off.

The Upsides And Trade-offs

Read This Before You Touch Your Screen

The simplest rule is also the safest: if the car is not parked with the engine off, do not hold your phone. Police can and do enforce at junctions and in slow-moving traffic, and advanced cameras are increasingly spotting offenders. Remember that hands-free is legal, but not a shield. If you drift or brake late while fiddling with a menu, you could still be charged with careless driving. For sat-nav users, place the screen low, angled, and out of your primary view. Set routes and audio before you move, and let voice guidance do the work. New drivers should be extra cautious - a single offence can end your hard-won independence. If you rely on your licence for income, the financial impact of a ban can be severe compared with the modest cost of a proper setup.

If Not This, Then What

1. Use your car’s built-in navigation and steering controls exclusively.

2. Rely on downloadable offline maps pre-set before travel.

3. Pull into a safe location, park, and switch off to use the handset.

4. Delegate calls or navigation duties to a passenger.

Common Questions Answered

Q: Is it ever legal to touch the phone while driving? A: No, not if it is handheld. You may use it hands-free in a secure holder or via in-car systems. Park and switch off to handle it directly.

Q: Does the ban apply at traffic lights or in gridlock? A: Yes. The law applies whenever you are driving or in live traffic, including stop-start moments. Only parked with the engine off counts as legal handset use.

Q: What are the penalties if I am caught? A: Typically a £200 fixed penalty and 6 points. A court can impose higher fines and a driving ban. New drivers risk licence revocation at 6 points.

Q: Are voice assistants and CarPlay legal? A: Yes, provided the device is secured, does not block your view, and you stay in full control. Distraction can still lead to separate offences.

Q: What if I need to call 999? A: Calling emergency services is allowed if stopping is unsafe. Otherwise, stop in a safe place and switch the engine off before using your handset.

Q: Do these rules apply if I am supervising a learner? A: Yes. While supervising, you are treated as driving for mobile phone laws, so handheld use is prohibited.

Q: Is Northern Ireland the same? A: Northern Ireland is moving to align with Great Britain by tightening rules. Expect similar bans and penalties as reforms progress.

How Kandoo Helps You Stay Compliant

Kandoo connects you with finance options that can help fund safer, legal in-car setups - from quality phone mounts to Bluetooth head units or vehicle upgrades. Our panel of lenders offers quick decisions and clear terms, so you can equip your car responsibly without straining your monthly budget. Stay within the law and focus on the road.

Important Note

This article provides general guidance for drivers in Great Britain and is not legal advice. Laws can change and enforcement may differ by circumstance. Always follow the Highway Code and check the latest government guidance before you drive.