New York Phone & Distracted Driving Laws
Whether handheld phone use and texting are banned for all drivers, additional restrictions on minors, and first-offense fines.
- Handheld phone: banned for all drivers?
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yes
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, p. 52, 'Using a Cellular or Mobile Telephone' Verified Sep 2026
- Texting: banned for all drivers?
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yes
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, p. 52, 'Penalties for texting, electronic device use' Verified Sep 2026
- Hands-free also banned for minors?
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no
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, p. 52, 'Penalties for texting, electronic device use' Verified Sep 2026
- First-offense fine
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Up to $200
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, p. 52, 'Using a Cellular or Mobile Telephone' and 'Penalties for texting, electronic device use' Verified Sep 2026
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