Texting While Driving Penalties by State


We all know that texting while driving is dangerous, but how much money can it cost you if you get caught? Take a look at the infographic below to see texting and driving fines by state, or scroll down to see what the penalties are for driving distracted by a cellphone in  your  location.

If you need to take points off your license in Texas , California , or Florida , check us out.

Using your navigation system, eating while driving, and daydreaming are all just a few examples of distracted driving. Doing any of these things can put you, your passengers, or other drivers in harm’s way. Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, scrolling through social media, basically, anything dealing with taking your eyes off the road and on your cell phone is also a huge form of distracted driving. 

We all know that texting while driving is dangerous, but how much money can it cost you if you get caught? Take a look at the infographic below to see texting and driving fines by state, or scroll down to see what the penalties are for driving distracted by a cellphone in  your  location.

If you need to take points off your license in Texas , California , or Florida , check us out.

Texting and Driving Fines by State

Alabama

The texting while driving fine for a primary offense in Alabama is $25. Fines increase for subsequent offenses.

Alaska

If you use your cell phone while driving in Alaska, watch out. Texting and driving is considered a misdemeanor by Alaska law and carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and one year in prison.

Arizona

Arizona law makes texting a primary offense with a fine between $75-$145 for a first violation with increased fines for subsequent violations. 

Arkansas

Arkansas residents who use their mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle can face a fine ranging from $25 to $250 for a first offense, and from $50 to $500 for a second offense.

California

Those who text and drive in California could face a minimum fine of $162 with increased fines for subsequent offenses.

Colorado

Better use a hands-free device in Colorado unless you want a traffic ticket. Texting while driving is a misdemeanor traffic offense punishable by a $300 fine, and four points on the motorist's driving record.

Connecticut

If Connecticut law enforcement catches you using an electronic device while driving, you could pay a $200 fine for a first offense, $375 for the second, all the way up to $625 for three or more violations. 

Delaware

The fine for texting and driving in Delaware is $100 for a first offense.

Florida

In the Sunshine State, texting while driving is a primary traffic offense with a $30 fine plus any court costs and related fees for first-time offenders. 

Georgia

Those who text and drive in Georgia will have to pay up to $150 for violating the state’s distracted driving law as well as tack on one point to their driving record.

Hawaii

Don’t even think about sending text messages while driving in Hawaii. The state’s fine for doing so is $297 -- and that’s just for a first offense! This increases to $347 if in a school or construction zone. 

Idaho

The penalty for texting while driving in Idaho is a fine of up to $85. Better off using a hands-free phone!

Illinois

For breaking the texting and driving law in Illinois, residents can face a $75 fine for a first offense with increased fines for subsequent offenses.

Indiana

Driver inattention caused by texting and driving is a major offense in Indiana. Using a mobile phone behind the wheel can cost residents as much as $500.

Iowa

In Iowa, the fine for using a cell phone while driving is $30. If you cause a car crash or car accident due to texting and driving, however, you could pay as much as $1,000.

Kansas

In Kansas, using a mobile phone behind the wheel carries a maximum penalty of $60.

Kentucky

The fine and penalty for texting while driving in Kentucky is $25 and three driving record points for a first offense, as well as a $50 fine and three driving record points for any subsequent violations.

Louisiana

Driver distraction is taken very seriously in Louisiana. A first offense for texting and driving carries a penalty of $500 for a first-time offense to $1,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maine

Using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle in Maine is prohibited and carries a fine of no less than $250 for a first offense and a minimum 30-day license suspension for repeat offenders.

Maryland

Maryland residents can be pulled over for texting while driving and fined $70 and one point added to their driving record. 

Massachusetts

A first-time texting while driving offender in Massachusetts could pay up to $100 in fines. For a second offense, the penalty increases to $250, and for 3rd and subsequent offenses, you’re looking at a $500 fine. 

Michigan

If you text and drive in Michigan, you could pay a $100 fine for a first offense and a $250 fine for subsequent offenses.

Minnesota

Minnesota’s fines for texting while driving range from $50 for a first offense to $275 for a second offense.

Mississippi

In Mississippi, drivers can be fined up to $100 for using a cell phone while operating a vehicle.

Missouri

Texting while driving laws in Missouri only apply to drivers ages 21 and under or those with a commercial driver license. If you’re a school bus driver, teen driver or novice driver, you could face up to $200 in fines for texting and driving.

Montana

Montana is currently the only state in the country that does not have laws in place that prohibit texting and driving. Even so, you shouldn’t do it anyway!

Nebraska

In Nebraska, texting while driving carries a fee of up to $200 for a first-time offense. You could also get up to three points added to your driving record.

Nevada

Texting while driving can cost offenders in Nevada up to $50. Fines increase for subsequent offenses.

New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, the fine for using a mobile phone while driving is $100 for a first violation.

New Jersey

Highway safety is no joke in the Garden State. If you use a cell phone behind the wheel in New Jersey you could pay a penalty ranging from $200 to $400 for a first offense, $400 to $600 for a second offense, and $600 to $800 for a third or more offenses!

New Mexico

New Mexico enacted a statewide ban on texting and driving in 2014. The fine for a first offense is $25 and $50 for any more after that.

New York

Traffic safety laws in New York prohibit drivers from using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle. Fines for a first offense can be as high as $200.

North Carolina

Using a cell phone while driving carries a fine of $100 in North Carolina.

North Dakota

In North Dakota, the fine for texting and driving is $100.

Ohio

If you're under the age of 18 in Ohio and get caught texting while driving, you could pay up to $150 and have your license suspended for 60 days!

Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, first-time texting and driving offenders can pay up to $100. Those who text and drive also risk losing their driver license or getting a driver license suspension.

Oregon

Deemed the state with the strictest laws against texting and driving, doing so in Oregon will cost you a pretty penny. The maximum penalty for using a mobile phone while driving a car is $1,000!

Pennsylvania

Fines for texting while driving in Pennsylvania are $50 for a first offense.

Rhode Island

Using a smartphone while driving in Rhode Island carries a fine of up to $100 for a first offense.

South Carolina

If you violate the anti-texting and driving law in South Carolina you will have to pay a fine of $25.

South Dakota

Using a mobile device while driving is prohibited in South Dakota and carries a fine of $100.

Tennessee

For texting and driving in Tennessee, you could face a fine of $50 plus court fees of up to $10.

Texas

Anyone caught violating Texas’ texting, and driving law will be issued a ticket of up to $99 for the first offense. 

Utah

Utah has the second-highest fine for texting and driving in the nation -- $750. Violators of the state’s anti-text and drive law could also face jail time.

Vermont

In Vermont, fines for texting and driving are capped at $200 for a first-time offense. Penalties increase for a second offense.

Virginia

Fines for using a smartphone while operating a car can be as high as $125 in the Old Dominion state.

Washington

The fine for texting and driving in Washington is $124.

West Virginia

Text messaging while driving in West Virginia carries a fine of $100 for a first offense.

Wisconsin

Using a handheld device while driving in Wisconsin can cost residents a whopping $400.

Wyoming

To enforce the anti-text and drive law in Wyoming, legislators have enacted a fine of up to $75.

Make sure you’re up-to-date on your state’s traffic laws by taking an online defensive driving course today. 

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