Hand-Held Mobile Phone Use Now Prohibited for Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Effective Jan. 3, 2012, a new federal law prohibiting commercial vehicle drivers from using hand-held mobile phones went into effect. The ban prohibits commercial motor vehicle drivers from holding, dialing or reaching for hand-held cell phones, including phones with the push-to-talk function. Drivers are banned from using phones even while traffic is stopped unless they move their vehicles off the highway.

Drivers in interstate commerce or those transporting hazardous materials will be fined up to $2,750 for a violation. Commercial trucking and bus drivers face a maximum fine of $11,000 if they are found in violation of the ban.

If you’d like more information, click here for a list of frequently asked questions published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.