Distracted Driving Laws in Massachusetts
Last updated: November 5, 2026
Massachusetts enforces one of the strictest hands-free driving laws in the United States. Since the Hands-Free Law took effect in February 2020, drivers are prohibited from holding or using a mobile device at any point while operating a vehicle, including while stopped at red lights. Knowing exactly what the law requires, what the fines are, and what limited exceptions apply protects you from costly violations and makes Massachusetts roads safer for everyone.
Quick Answer: Massachusetts Distracted Driving Laws
Massachusetts law prohibits holding or using any mobile electronic device while driving. This includes texting, calling, using apps, and holding the phone at a red light. Fines are $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or subsequent violation. Repeat offenders must also complete a distracted driving education program.
TL;DR
- You cannot hold or use a phone or any mobile device while driving in Massachusetts, including at red lights.
- Hands-free use is legal: Bluetooth earpieces, speakerphone on the seat, or dashboard/windshield mounts with no touching required.
- Fines: $100 (1st offense), $250 (2nd offense), $500 (3rd and beyond).
- Repeat violations require completion of a distracted driving education program.
- Emergency calls to 911 are an exception to the handheld ban.
- Teen drivers on Junior Operator Licenses face additional restrictions beyond the standard hands-free law.
| Offense | Fine | Additional Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 1st offense | $100 | None beyond the fine |
| 2nd offense | $250 | Distracted driving program required |
| 3rd or subsequent offense | $500 | Distracted driving program required |
What Is the Massachusetts Distracted Driving Law?
The Massachusetts Hands-Free Law (M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 13B) took effect on February 23, 2020. It significantly expanded on earlier restrictions that only prohibited texting while driving. The current law prohibits any use of a handheld mobile device while operating a motor vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving or stopped in traffic.
The law defines “use” broadly. It covers making phone calls, sending or reading texts, using navigation apps, accessing the internet, taking photos or videos, using social media, and any other interaction that requires touching or holding the device. The key word is “handheld.” The law does not prohibit the use of mobile devices through hands-free technology, as long as the driver does not need to hold the device at any point during use.
Enforcement is primary, meaning officers can pull you over solely for a hands-free violation. They do not need another reason to stop your vehicle. The law applies to all motor vehicle operators on public roads in Massachusetts, regardless of the driver’s age or license type, although additional rules apply to younger drivers.
What Is Prohibited Under the Massachusetts Hands-Free Law?
The law covers a broader range of behavior than many drivers realize. These actions are all prohibited while operating a vehicle in Massachusetts:
- Making or receiving phone calls while holding the device. Even a brief call with the phone pressed to your ear violates the law.
- Sending, reading, or composing text messages. This includes texts, emails, instant messages, and direct messages sent through any app.
- Using GPS or navigation apps while holding the phone. You may use navigation, but the device must be mounted so you do not need to hold it.
- Watching videos or using social media. Any entertainment or communication use of a screen is prohibited.
- Taking photos or videos. Recording or photographing anything from a moving or stopped vehicle is a violation if you are holding the device.
- Using a device at a red light or in stopped traffic. Many drivers assume a red light makes phone use acceptable. It does not. You are considered to be operating the vehicle whenever the engine is running and you are in the driver’s seat.
What devices are covered by the Massachusetts hands-free law?
The law covers all mobile electronic devices, not just smartphones. This includes tablets, handheld GPS devices, laptops, and any other portable electronic device. It does not apply to two-way communication systems built into the vehicle or to CB radios used by commercial truck drivers under specific circumstances.
What Are the Fines for Distracted Driving in Massachusetts?
The financial penalties for Massachusetts hands-free violations increase with each offense:
| Offense Number | Fine Amount | Required Action |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | $100 | Pay the fine |
| Second offense | $250 | Pay the fine and complete an approved distracted driving education program |
| Third or subsequent offense | $500 | Pay the fine and complete an approved distracted driving education program |
The distracted driving education program required for second and third offenses is separate from any defensive driving courses. It is specifically designed to address the behaviors and cognitive errors that lead to distracted driving. The program must be completed through a state-approved provider, and proof of completion is required for licensing purposes.
Beyond the fines, repeat violations may also affect your insurance rates. A distracted driving citation is a surchargeable offense in Massachusetts, which means it can be used by insurance companies to increase your auto insurance premium at renewal. This secondary cost often exceeds the fine itself over several policy periods.
Are There Exceptions to the Massachusetts Hands-Free Law?
The Massachusetts Hands-Free Law includes a small number of specific exceptions. These exceptions are narrow and do not apply in most situations drivers might assume they cover.
When can you legally use a handheld device while driving in Massachusetts?
The permitted exceptions are:
- Emergency reporting: You may use a handheld device to report an emergency to law enforcement, fire, or medical services. This is an exception for calling 911 or emergency services only, not for notifying a friend or family member about an emergency.
- Parked and legally stopped: If your vehicle is stationary and parked legally off the roadway (not at a red light, not in a travel lane, not at a stop sign), you may use your device. Pulling into a parking lot or a side street and stopping completely before using your phone is both legal and the safest approach.
- Public safety or emergency vehicle operators: Drivers of police, fire, or EMS vehicles may use devices in certain circumstances while performing their official duties.
What counts as legal hands-free use in Massachusetts?
These are all legal under the Massachusetts law, as long as they do not require you to hold the device:
- Bluetooth earpiece or headset (one ear only in Massachusetts)
- Speakerphone with the device resting on the seat or in a cup holder (you do not need to hold it to continue the call)
- Dashboard or windshield-mounted device holder (navigation, music control, or calls through a mounted phone are permitted if you do not need to hold or touch the device during driving)
- In-vehicle Bluetooth or voice activation systems integrated into the car itself
The practical test is simple: if you need to pick up the device to use it, it is not hands-free and it is a violation.
How Does Distracted Driving Law Apply to Teen Drivers in Massachusetts?
Teen drivers in Massachusetts face the same hands-free requirement as all other drivers, but they also have additional restrictions under the Junior Operator License (JOL) rules.
Massachusetts prohibits all mobile device use by teen drivers on a JOL, including hands-free communication, while passengers under 18 are in the vehicle (for the first 6 months of the JOL). This means a teen driver cannot make a hands-free call even if technically legal for adult drivers in the same situation. The restriction acknowledges that any interaction, even hands-free, increases cognitive distraction in new drivers who are still developing driving skills.
Teen drivers caught violating distracted driving laws face the same fines as adults, but violations also count against their JOL standing. Accumulating certain violations can result in license suspension or delay the transition from JOL to a full driver’s license. Understanding these stakes during Massachusetts driver’s education is one reason why reputable schools like CMSC emphasize distracted driving awareness throughout their programs.
What Other Forms of Distracted Driving Are Illegal in Massachusetts?
While the hands-free law receives the most attention, Massachusetts also prohibits other distracted driving behaviors under the general negligent driving standard. Officers can issue citations for:
- Eating or drinking while driving in a way that causes erratic vehicle operation
- Grooming (applying makeup, shaving) while driving
- Reading physical documents, books, or maps while driving
- Turning to interact extensively with passengers in a way that takes your eyes off the road
- Adjusting infotainment systems or other vehicle controls in a way that causes erratic driving
These behaviors are covered under Massachusetts’s general negligent or reckless driving statutes rather than the specific hands-free law, but they carry their own fines and can contribute to a negligent driving charge if they cause an accident or endanger other road users.
How Do You Drive Without Distractions in Massachusetts?
Building distraction-free driving habits does not require giving up convenience. It requires setting things up before you start driving so that nothing demands your attention once the vehicle is in motion.
Practical habits that keep you legal and safe
- Set your navigation before you move. Program your destination and mount your phone before starting your drive. If you need to change the route, pull over and park legally before touching the screen.
- Connect to Bluetooth before starting. Pair your phone to the vehicle’s Bluetooth or set up a hands-free call before driving. Do not attempt to connect while moving.
- Silence notifications while driving. Most smartphones have a “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode. Enable it every time you get in the car so incoming texts and social media alerts do not compete for your attention.
- Keep your phone out of reach. If the phone is on the seat next to you, the temptation to glance at it is much higher. Put it in the back seat, glove compartment, or bag until you reach your destination.
- If you must make a call, pull over. Find a legal parking spot, stop the vehicle completely, and make your call. Rejoin traffic only after you have finished and the phone is stored safely.
Learning safe, distraction-free driving habits from the beginning is one of the most valuable things formal driver’s education provides. At CMSC, our instructors reinforce these habits during every behind-the-wheel session, so students leave with practices that protect them throughout their driving lives.
Understanding Massachusetts traffic laws is part of safe driving at every stage. Review our guides on Massachusetts speeding laws and school zone laws to make sure you are fully informed on the rules that protect everyone on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Distracted Driving Laws
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Massachusetts?
Yes. Massachusetts prohibits holding or using any mobile device while driving, including at red lights and stop signs. You must use hands-free technology or pull over and legally park to use your phone.
What is the fine for distracted driving in Massachusetts?
The fines are $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense. Second and third offenses also require completion of an approved distracted driving education program.
Can you use your phone at a red light in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts law considers you to be operating the vehicle whenever you are in the driver’s seat with the engine running, even if the vehicle is stopped. Using a handheld device at a red light is a violation and carries the same fine as using it while moving.
Are there exceptions to the Massachusetts hands-free law?
Yes, but they are narrow. You may use a handheld device to call 911 or emergency services in an actual emergency. You may also use a device if your vehicle is parked legally off the roadway. GPS navigation is allowed if the device is mounted and you do not need to hold it.
Does the Massachusetts hands-free law apply to all drivers?
Yes. The law applies to all motor vehicle operators on public roads in Massachusetts, regardless of age, license type, or vehicle type. Teen drivers on Junior Operator Licenses face additional restrictions beyond the standard hands-free requirement.
