Last checked: 7 November 2026
It is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that can send or receive data while driving in the UK, for any reason, even when you are stopped at traffic lights. The penalty is 6 penalty points and a £200 fine. If you passed your test in the last 2 years, you will also lose your licence. In court you can be banned and fined up to £1,000 (£2,500 for lorry or bus drivers).
Since 25 March 2022, using a hand-held phone at the wheel has been illegal for almost any purpose, not just calls and texts. This guide explains exactly what the law covers, the few exceptions, how hands-free use works, and what the penalties mean for new drivers and learners. It uses GOV.UK and Department for Transport guidance.
What the law says
GOV.UK says you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether it is online or offline. That includes:
- making or taking calls
- texting or messaging
- taking photos or videos
- browsing the web
- scrolling through music or playing games
The law covers phones, sat navs, tablets and any other device that can send or receive data, and it applies to motorcycle riders as well as drivers.
When the law still applies
The rules still apply if you are:
- stopped at traffic lights
- queuing in traffic
- supervising a learner driver
- driving a car that switches its engine off when you stop
- using a device that is offline or in flight mode
That third point is easy to miss: the law covers the person supervising a learner, not just the person driving. Our guide to learner driver insurance covers the other rules supervisors must meet.
What changed in 2022
Before 25 March 2022, the law only covered “interactive communication”, such as making a call or sending a message. The Department for Transport said some drivers escaped conviction by claiming they had been using their phone for something else, such as filming. The change closed that loophole, so now almost any use of a hand-held device while driving is an offence. A public consultation found 81% of respondents supported the change.
The exceptions
You can use a device in your hand only if:
- you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop
- you are safely parked
- you are making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving, such as at a drive-through restaurant
- you are using the device to park your vehicle remotely
Being stopped in traffic or at lights does not count, because the law still applies there. Pull over somewhere safe and legal before you pick up your phone.
Hands-free use
You can use a device hands-free, as long as you do not hold it at any time while using it. GOV.UK gives these examples:
- a Bluetooth headset
- voice commands
- a dashboard holder or mat
- a windscreen mount
- a built-in sat nav
The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead.
Hands-free does not mean anything goes. You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times, and the police can stop you if they think you are distracted. The Department for Transport warns that drivers can still be charged if the police find they are not in proper control, even with a phone in a cradle.
Penalties
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Holding and using a phone or device while driving | 6 penalty points and a £200 fine |
| Not having a full view of the road or proper control of the vehicle | 3 penalty points |
| If the case goes to court | Possible ban and a fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 for lorry or bus drivers) |
| New driver (passed in the last 2 years) | Licence cancelled |
The offence is recorded with code CU80, which carries 3 to 6 points.
New drivers
If you passed your test in the last 2 years, a single phone offence is enough to lose your licence, because 6 points is the limit for new drivers. You would need to apply for a new provisional licence and pass both the theory and practical tests again. Our guide to the new driver 6 points rule explains how it works.
Learner drivers
Points on a provisional licence that have not expired carry over to your full licence when you pass. If you have 6 points from using a phone as a learner, any further points in your first 2 years would cancel your licence.
Experienced drivers
Two phone offences within 3 years would take you to 12 points, which can mean a ban under the totting up rules. Our penalty points calculator shows how close you are, and our guide to speeding fines covers the other common offence that adds points.
How to stay within the law
- Put your phone out of reach, on silent or in a driving mode, before you set off.
- Set up your sat nav or music before you start driving.
- If you use your phone as a sat nav, fix it in a holder that does not block your view, and do not touch it while driving.
- If you need to make a call, find a safe, legal place to stop first.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my phone at traffic lights?
No. The law still applies when you are stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic.
Can I use my phone as a sat nav?
Yes, if it is hands-free, for example fixed in a dashboard or windscreen holder that does not block your view, and you do not hold it while you use it.
What is the fine for using a phone while driving?
A £200 fine and 6 penalty points. In court, you can be banned and fined up to £1,000, or £2,500 if you drive a lorry or bus.
Do new drivers lose their licence for using a phone?
Yes. If you passed your test in the last 2 years, the 6 points mean your licence is cancelled.
Can I pay at a drive-through with my phone?
Yes, if the vehicle is not moving. Contactless payment while stationary is one of the exceptions.
Can a driving instructor or supervisor use their phone?
No. GOV.UK says the law applies to you if you are supervising a learner driver.
Can I make an emergency call while driving?
Yes, you can call 999 or 112 if it is an emergency and it is unsafe or impractical to stop.
Sources: GOV.UK Using a phone, sat nav or other device when driving; Department for Transport Transport Secretary declares zero tolerance for phone use behind the wheel as law changes today (25 March 2022); GOV.UK Penalty points (endorsements) and New drivers. This is general information, not legal advice.