Driving Tests

Ohio Distracted Driving Law: Phone Rules, Points and Fines

informational·how to guide·Published May 16, 2026

Can you hold your phone while driving in Ohio?

No. Ohio law bans using, holding or physically supporting a phone or other wireless device with any part of your body while you drive. A first offense costs up to $150, or you may take a distracted driving safety course instead of the fine and points. A second offense within two years costs up to $250, and a third costs up to $500.

Where the Ohio distracted driving rules come from

The rule is in Ohio Revised Code 4511.204, titled "Driving while texting". The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) page on the temporary permit and probationary license gives the rule for drivers under 18. The points come from the Ohio Department of Public Safety driver training curriculum, which is guidance and not law. The knowledge test rule comes from Ohio Revised Code 4507.11. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Ohio BMV (bmv.ohio.gov) before you drive.

What the Ohio law bans

You may not use, hold or physically support a device with any part of your body while you drive a motor vehicle on a street, highway or property open to the public for vehicular traffic.
The law counts a wireless phone, a text-messaging device, a personal digital assistant and a computer (including a laptop or tablet) as a device.
It also counts any device that can show a video, a movie, a broadcast television image or another visual image.
The offense is a strict liability offense, so the law does not ask what you meant to do.

When you may use a phone while you drive in Ohio

When you may use a phone while you drive in Ohio
Situation	Allowed?	The limit in the law
Call police, a hospital, a fire department or a similar agency	Yes	The contact must be for emergency purposes.
Vehicle stopped outside a lane of travel, at a red signal, or parked for an emergency or road closure	Yes	The vehicle must be in a stationary position.
Phone call with the phone held directly near your ear	Yes	You may not type letters, numbers or symbols into the device.
Speaker phone	Yes	You may not hold or support the device with any part of your body.
Hands-free or voice-operated feature	Yes	No hand use, except one touch or swipe to start, stop or begin the feature. You may not hold or support the device.
Navigation	Yes	You may not type into the device or hold or support it.
A single touch or single swipe	Yes	You may not type into the device or hold or support it.
Device built into the vehicle, physically or electronically	Yes	You may not type into the device or hold or support it.
Device stored in a holster, harness or clothing on your body	Yes	The exception covers storing the device there.

What a legal text reply looks like

Put the phone in a mount and use the voice feature. Start it with one touch, then speak your reply. Typing a reply or holding the phone in your hand is not allowed. The practice question on handling a text message while you drive in Ohio tests this rule. For anything more, pull over in a safe place first.

Ohio distracted driving fines and points by offense

Ohio distracted driving fines and points by offense
Offense	Fine (U.S. dollars)	Points (ODPS curriculum)	Other penalties
First offense	Up to $150	2	You may take the safety course instead of the fine and points.
Second offense (one prior violation within two years)	Up to $250	3	No course choice.
Third or later offense (two or more prior violations within two years)	Up to $500	4	The court may suspend your license or permit for 90 days. No course choice.
Any offense in a construction zone with a posted sign	An added fine of two times the fine for that offense	As for that offense	No course choice.

Points, the 12-point limit and city penalties

Ohio Revised Code 4510.036 sets the points for this offense. The points in the table above come from the Ohio Department of Public Safety driver training curriculum. For drivers older than 18, the curriculum says that 12 penalty points within three years means you lose your license for a specific amount of time. A city ordinance on the same conduct may set greater penalties than the state law.

Do you qualify for the distracted driving safety course?

This is your first offense and not in a construction zone

You may take the distracted driving safety course instead of paying the $150 fine and getting points. Give the court your written proof of completion within 90 days of the violation.

You have one or more prior violations within two years, or the violation was in a construction zone

The course choice does not apply. The fines in the table above apply, and in a construction zone the court adds the extra fine.

Can police stop you only for using a phone?

Yes, if the officer sees it. An officer may not stop you to enforce this law unless the officer visually observes you using, holding or physically supporting the device.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety curriculum calls distracted driving a primary offense for all ages, so no other violation is needed for a stop.
An officer who stops you for this violation must tell you that you may decline a search of your device.

Phone rule for drivers under 18

A driver under 18 with a probationary license may not use any mobile devices, including cell phones, as the BMV page on probationary licenses states. The rule applies in the first 12 months and after 12 months, until age 18. The state phone ban above applies to every driver, including a teen with a temporary permit (TIPIC). The guide to the Ohio probationary license rules covers curfew and passengers.

Law dates and the Ohio knowledge test

Senate Bill 288 amended the law on April 4, 2023. The version now in force took effect June 30, 2025. Ohio Revised Code 4507.11 says the Ohio knowledge test must cover the laws on use of an electronic wireless communications device while you drive. The guide to the Ohio permit test explains how the test works.

Key takeaways

Ohio bans using, holding or physically supporting a phone or other device with any part of your body while you drive. A driver under 18 with a probationary license may not use any mobile devices.
Legal ways to use a phone include speaker phone, a hands-free feature, navigation and a single touch or swipe, as long as you do not type or hold the device. You may also hold a phone near your ear for a call if you do not type.
A first offense costs up to $150. A second offense within two years costs up to $250, and a third costs up to $500 and may bring a 90-day suspension.
A first-offense driver may take the distracted driving safety course instead of the fine and points. The course choice does not apply in a construction zone.
Next step: practice the rules on the free Ohio temps (Class D knowledge) practice test.

Ohio distracted driving law: common questions

Can I use my phone at a red light in Ohio?

Yes. The law allows use when your vehicle is stationary at a traffic signal that is directing traffic to stop. The exception ends when the vehicle moves, so put the phone down before the light turns green.

Can I use GPS on my phone while I drive in Ohio?

Yes, for navigation, if you do not type into the phone and do not hold or support it. Set the route before you leave, or put the phone in a mount and use your voice.

Can police search my phone after a distracted driving stop in Ohio?

Not unless you voluntarily and clearly consent or the officer has a warrant. The officer must tell you that you may decline a search. The officer also may not take your phone while waiting for a warrant.

Does the distracted driving course remove the ticket from my record?

No. The course does not dismiss the charge. If you give the court the proof within 90 days, you do not pay the $150 fine and the points are not assessed. The violation still counts as a prior offense if you get another phone ticket within two years.

Can I go to jail for using my phone while driving in Ohio?

No. The court may not impose a jail term or a community residential sanction for this offense. The only fines and suspensions are those that the law lists, such as the possible 90-day suspension for a third offense within two years.

Does Ohio's phone law apply to drivers from other states?

Yes. The law applies to any person who drives on an Ohio street, highway or property open to the public. For a third offense within two years, the court may suspend a nonresident operating privilege for 90 days.