Illinois Cell Phone Laws
*Update on Aug. 7, 2019*
Hand-held devices are banned while driving in the state of Illinois, which means no talking, texting, emailing, or adjusting your GPS while driving. Yes, even touching your GPS while driving is considered a violation.
You can use a phone if you are using a speakerphone or headset in most circumstances except: when in school zones, during constructions zones or if you are a novice driver (driver under the age of 19) hands-free technologies are prohibited. Prior to 2014 local municipalities enacted their own laws, which led to confusion regarding what was allowed where, so this statewide ban simplified Illinois cell phone laws into one uniform law.
HB 4846, drivers may not operate a handheld device while the car is in “drive.”
Exceptions to Illinois Cell Phone Laws:
- When reporting an emergency situation and any continued communication with the emergency personnel for the duration of the emergency.
- If you are using hands-free or voice-activated technology.
- The vehicle is parked on the shoulder of the road.
- If the car is stopped and is either in neutral or park when traffic is obstructed, such as a traffic jam.
- Police and emergency vehicles are exempt from Illinois cell phone laws when on duty.
Violating Illinois Cell Phone Laws
As in most states Illinois Cell Phone Laws are primary laws, which mean the police can pull you over just for using your cell phone while driving. The penalties for first time offenders just got stiffer too.
House Bill 4846, which took effect July 1, 2019 now counts first-time incidences of driving while operating a handheld mobile device as a “moving violation.” Under Illinois state law, moving violations appear on the driving record, and drivers who receive three moving violations in a year will have their license suspended. The fee begins at $75 and increases for each offense thereafter. Four or more violations and your license will be suspended.
“The average text takes your eyes off the phone for about 4.6 seconds,” said Wells. “Which if you’re driving 55mph, that’s the length of a football field. So in just the 5 seconds you’re looking at your phone, you’re going over 300 feet.”
—Eric Wells, Traffic Investigator for the Moline Police Department
At Top Driver Driving School we’ll teach your teen driver the importance of safe driving habits and the dangers of distracted driving. Find one of our convenient locations HERE.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to hold a phone while driving in Illinois?
No. Illinois bans the use of hand-held devices while driving statewide. That includes talking, texting, emailing, and even touching the GPS while the car is in 'drive.' You may use a phone hands-free with a speakerphone or headset in most situations, but novice drivers under 19, school zones, and construction zones prohibit hands-free use too. The statewide ban took effect to replace the patchwork of local rules municipalities had passed before 2014.
What are the exceptions to the Illinois hands-free law?
You may use a hand-held device in a few specific situations: reporting an emergency and continuing to communicate with emergency personnel, using hands-free or voice-activated technology, when your vehicle is parked on the shoulder, or when the car is stopped in neutral or park because traffic is obstructed (such as a traffic jam). Police and emergency vehicle operators are also exempt while on duty. Outside of those cases, the device must stay down while the car is in gear.
What are the penalties for breaking Illinois cell phone laws?
Under House Bill 4846, which took effect July 1, 2019, a first-time offense for driving while using a hand-held device counts as a moving violation. Fines start at $75 and increase with each subsequent offense. Three moving violations in a year leads to license suspension, and four or more violations will get your license suspended. Because this is a primary law, an officer can pull you over solely for using a hand-held device, no other infraction required.
How far does a car travel during a typical text at highway speed?
According to Eric Wells, a Traffic Investigator with the Moline Police Department, the average text takes your eyes off the road for about 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that is roughly the length of a football field. In the five seconds you spend glancing at the phone, you cover over 300 feet, which is more than enough distance for the situation in front of you to change completely. That is the practical reason behind the strict Illinois law.
Can teen drivers in Illinois use Bluetooth or hands-free systems?
No. Novice drivers, defined as anyone under 19, are prohibited from using hands-free technology while driving in Illinois. The same restriction applies to all drivers in school zones and construction zones. The rule exists because hands-free still leaves you cognitively distracted, and teen drivers have the highest crash risk per mile of any age group. Top Driver reinforces this with every teen we teach.
