Health and Safety
Mobile Phones
12 November 2011
In a new regulation that came into force on 1 December 2003, it is a specific offence to use a hand held phone or similar device, when driving.
From 27 February 2007 you will receive a £60 fine and three penalty points on your licence or up to £1,000 on conviction in court (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches). Drivers still risk prosecution (for failure to have proper control) if they use hands-free phones when driving.
Mobile Phone Law - Interactive Guide
Effective from 1st December 2003 it became an offence to use a hand-held mobile phone or similar device while driving or in certain other circumstances.
This interactive guide provides basic guidance as to what is and is not prohibited. This is only a simplified guide and, should you have any doubts as to whether an activity is lawful, you should seek your own legal advice.
- There is also a printable non-interactive version (opens in a new window).
Follow the sequence of questions and click the appropriate answer.
More information
Mobile Phones and Driving
- Dangers of Texting While Driving
- Text-Driving More Dangerous Than Drink-Driving
- Insurers Crackdown on Drivers who use Mobiles
- Drivers who use Mobile Phones face Jail
- BBC News, 11 July, 2005: Mobiles 'quadruple crash danger'
- Department for Transport (DfT) web site: www.dft.gov.uk
- THINK! road safety web site: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk
