In most cases, it’s illegal to use your cellphone while driving. You could be fined for doing so. However, you can use your cellphone behind the wheel if you follow certain rules. Here is what is allowed and what is not.
What is not allowed
When you are behind the wheel, you usually aren’t allowed to look at your cellphone screen, hold your phone in your hand or touch the screen. For example, you can’t read a notification, write a text message, check your news feed, change a song or enter an address into your GPS.
This rule applies while your vehicle is moving, but also when it is temporarily stopped, such as at a stop sign, at a red light or in a traffic jam.
Important: The law considers you to be using your phone as soon as you hold it in your hand while driving. This means you could be fined even if you say you were not doing anything with your phone.
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What could happen? If the police stop you for using your phone while driving, they can give you a ticket. You could then be fined and get five demerit points on your driving record. If it’s not the first time the police stop you for using a phone while driving, they can also immediately suspend your licence. |
What is allowed
You can use your cellphone with a hands-free device, meaning a system that lets you use it without having to hold or handle it. If your hands-free device requires earphones, you can wear an earphone in one ear only.
You may also use your phone without a hands-free device under the following conditions:
- Your phone is mounted on a bracket attached to your car.
- The screen doesn’t block your view of the road or interfere with your driving.
- The phone displays only information that is relevant to driving, such as a GPS route.
- You must be able to consult and operate it without interfering with your driving.
You can use your phone without following these conditions in two situations. You can use your cellphone to call 911. You can make a contactless payment while your car is stopped without being parked, for example, to pay at a drive-through.
You can also use your phone when your vehicle is completely parked.