Using a Mobile Phone While Driving
Using a mobile phone while driving is extremely dangerous and, in most cases, against the law. It takes your eyes,
hands and attention away from the road. You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. It's against the law to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving or supervising a learner driver.
Use this Using a Mobile Phone While Driving guide to learn the key rules for learner drivers, see how they apply in
everyday driving, and help you prepare for the UK
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What are the rules on using a mobile phone while driving?
The law is very strict about using a mobile phone while driving. In most situations you
must not use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device for any purpose while driving or supervising a learner driver,
even if you are stopped in traffic or at traffic lights.
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Hand-held use β holding a phone or device to make calls, send texts, use apps, take photos, record video or check
notifications while driving or riding.
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Hands-free use β using a phone through Bluetooth, voice controls or a dashboard system. This may be legal if the
phone is secured in a cradle, but it can still distract you and you can be penalised if you are not in proper control.
The safest approach is to set up your phone and sat nav before you start your journey, then put your phone away so you are not tempted
to look at it while driving.
Key mobile phone while driving rules
As a learner driver or rider, you need to understand the rules on using a mobile phone and can follow them
every time you drive. Here are the key mobile phone rules you should know:
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Never use a hand-held phone while driving or supervising a learner. This includes making or receiving calls, texting,
using messaging apps, browsing the internet, taking photos or videos, and checking notifications.
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Do not use your phone at traffic lights or in queues. You are still considered to be driving until your vehicle is
safely parked, with the engine switched off.
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Set up sat nav and music before you move off. If you use your phone as a sat nav, it must be in a secure holder, and
you must not hold or interact with it while driving.
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Use hands-free with care. Even when using Bluetooth or voice controls, if the police think you are not in proper
control of your vehicle, you can still be stopped and prosecuted.
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Stop in a safe place if you need to use your phone. Find a safe location to pull over, apply the handbrake, switch
off the engine and then use your phone.
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Only use your phone in an emergency when it's unsafe to stop. You may call 999 or 112 while driving only if it is not
possible or safe to stop first.
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As a supervisor, follow the same rules as a driver. If you are supervising a learner driver, you must not use a
hand-held phone at any time.
These mobile phone rules are based on Rule 149 of the UK Highway Code, which covers control of the vehicle and the use
of mobile phones and in-vehicle technology. Want to see the Highway Code mobile phone rules?
View Highway Code mobile phone rules.
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Typical examples of mobile phone distraction
- Reading or replying to a message: even a quick glance means you are not watching the road and could miss a hazard.
- Scrolling social media or using apps: takes your eyes, hands and mind away from driving, increasing your reaction time.
- Changing music or playlists on your phone: fiddling with your phone instead of built-in controls distracts you from driving.
- Holding your phone as a sat nav: is still hand-held use and is illegal β the phone must be secured in a proper cradle.
- Supervising a learner while on your phone: you are treated as the driver in law, so using a hand-held phone is not allowed.
All of these are examples of using a mobile phone while driving and can lead to fines, penalty points and serious collisions.
Mobile phone use in real driving situations
The rules on mobile phones are not just there to help you pass the UK driving theory test β they're vital for everyday driving.
You'll need to follow them every time you:
- Sit in slow-moving traffic or at red lights, where you might be tempted to check messages or notifications.
- Drive on faster roads or motorways, where any distraction can have serious consequences at higher speeds.
- Use sat nav to follow directions, especially in busy towns and cities.
- Supervise a learner driver and need to concentrate fully on their driving and the road ahead.
In your practical driving test, examiners will expect your phone to be put away, your sat nav set up before you move off, and your full
attention on the road at all times. Using a mobile phone while driving during your test would almost certainly result in an immediate fail.
Mobile phone theory test questions in the DVSA theory test
Mobile phone rules appear in the multiple-choice part of the DVSA theory test in several ways. You may be asked:
- What the law says about using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or supervising a learner driver.
- What you should do if you need to make or receive a call while driving.
- Whether it is acceptable to use your phone at traffic lights, in queues or when using it as a sat nav.
- How mobile phone use affects your concentration and increases your reaction time.
Explore a sample of the latest DVSA theory test revision questions in Driving Theory 4 All's
theory test questions and answers section.
Source: Department for Transport (GOV.UK) - The Highway Code. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.