Did you know you’re four times more likely to be in a driving accident if you’re using your mobile phone?
Despite this, according to a 2023 RAC report, 23% of drivers have admitted to using their phones to receive or make calls whilst behind the wheel, rising to 49% among the 17-24 cohort.
Aside from the very real risk of injury, or worse to you, other road users and pedestrians, you could also face harsh penalties if you’re caught using your phone whilst driving.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the UK’s mobile phone driving laws, including the fines and penalties that can apply.
We’ll also highlight the dangers of distracted driving, bust some myths - and share some tips on how you can avoid using your phone whilst in the driving seat.
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The risks of using your phone while driving
A few moments of inattention or distraction on the roads is all it takes to cause a crash. If you’re driving at 30mph, you’ll travel around three car lengths in just one second.
Taking a quick glance at your phone is like driving up to twice that distance – but blindfolded. Think about what could happen in that time – and the real dangers of phone use whilst driving should become clear.
It’s not just about taking your eyes off the road, either. You may think you’re concentrating on driving but if you’re talking on the phone (whether hands-free or handheld), you’ll experience ‘inattention blindness’.
This may become apparent when you see something on the road (such as the car in front braking suddenly, a pedestrian stepping out in front of you, or a cyclist coming up alongside you) but your brain can’t register or process it. As you cannot react, you’re far more likely to be involved in a road accident.
When it comes to texting, your reaction times may be comparable to someone who is drink driving: twice as slow if you’re using a hands-free phone - and three times as slow if you’re on a handheld!
Many people believe that talking on your phone is no worse than chatting to a passenger in your car, but research has shown that this isn’t the case.
In reality, it’s safer to talk to someone in the car because they can also see the road, whereas the person on the other end of the phone can’t. Therefore, it’s much more dangerous to talk on your mobile.
What is the law around driving and using your phone?
The law states that you can only operate your mobile handset in a vehicle if it is safely parked up and stationary. Even if you’re stopped at traffic lights or in a traffic queue, it’s still illegal to use your phone.
If the engine of the car is running, you should not touch your mobile phone, even if you believe it is safe to do so.
The laws were updated in 2022 to account for recent advances in smartphone technology. Whilst previously only ‘interactive communications’ such as calls and texts were prohibited, the updated laws ban using your phone for many other reasons including:
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Taking photos or videos.
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Playing games.
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Scrolling through social apps or playlists.
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Using streaming services.
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Using navigation apps (unless the phone is in a secure, mounted holder).
When can you use your phone whilst driving?
There are a few very specific scenarios in which handheld phone use while driving is permitted:
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If you’re in an emergency situation, need to call 999, and it’s not safe for you to park your car or turn off the engine.
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If you’re using your phone to make a contactless payment, for example, at a toll road or drive-through restaurant.
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If you’re parking your car using your phone’s remote parking feature.
Penalties for mobile phone use whilst driving
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If you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving, you’ll be fined up to £200 and receive six penalty points on your licence.
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If you only passed your test in the last two years, you’ll lose your licence.
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If it transpires that you were unable to get a clear view of the road or traffic due to mobile phone use – and/or you didn’t have full control of your vehicle, you could get three points on your licence.
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If you were involved in a severe accident due to being on your phone, you could be taken to court, where you’ll face a £2,000 fine and a two-year driving ban.
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A prison term is also possible if you’re charged with death by dangerous driving or a similar offence.
Tips to avoid mobile phone distractions
We’re all pretty much programmed to respond immediately to ringtones and notifications these days, but if you want to stop your mobile distracting you whilst driving, try these tips:
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Turn your phone off before you get in the car and put it in the glove box or your bag.
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If you still want easy access to your phone, set it to Do Not Disturb.
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Install an app that blocks calls, messages, social media and other notifications while you’re driving. There are many options on the market, including LifeSaver, SafeDrive and Drivemode.
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If you’re using your phone as a sat nav, securely mount it onto your dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
You’ll automatically get six points if you’re caught driving using a handheld phone.
You’ll be fined £200 if you’re caught using a handheld phone while driving.
Although it is not illegal to use a hands-free phone behind the wheel, the police still have the authority to stop a driver if they believe they’re distracted by their phone.
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If you’ve been driving under two years, you’ll lose your licence if you get six points.
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If you’ve been driving over two years, you’ll lose your licence after incurring 12 points.
The points will stay on your licence for four years from the date of the offence.
Yes, there needs to be evidence, whether that’s a police officer’s eyewitness account, dashcam or traffic camera footage, or evidence from the mobile phone itself, such as a call log or text messages.
No, although it’s legal to use your sat nav whilst driving, you must not touch it when you’re on the move. If you need to adjust it, you’ll have to park and turn the engine off first.
Yes, making contactless payments with your phone is one of the few exceptions in the UK’s mobile phone driving laws.
Yes, just like any member of the public, taxi drivers are allowed to use hands-free phones.
No, you should not hand operate your phone while driving, even if it’s in flight mode. The only exceptions are those listed in the ‘When can you use your phone?’ section.