A Complete Guide to Distracted Driving Laws in California for 2025

In 2022, 2.1% and 3.1% of California drivers held their phones to their ears and actively used them while driving. That same year, 3,308 lives were lost due to distracted driving. These behaviors are not just law violations—they contribute to a growing public safety crisis. 

Distractions like texting and adjusting navigation can harm or injure drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. In response, California has implemented stricter distracted driving laws in 2025 to reinforce the need for awareness, accountability, and compliance in road safety.

Can You Use Your Phone While Driving?

Understanding California’s New Laws

Distracted driving is any activity that detracts a driver’s attention from the road, which can increase the danger of accidents. California Vehicle Code Sections 23123 and 23123.5 strictly prohibit using a handheld phone while driving. 

Key provisions of the law include:

• Handheld phone use is illegal while driving.
• Hands-free use is allowed for adults but entirely banned for drivers under 18.
• A hands-free system must be mounted on the windshield or dashboard without obstructing the driver’s view. Activation must require only a single swipe or tap.
• Texting, watching videos, or holding a device while driving is prohibited.
• Phone use is allowed only on private property or in emergencies, such as calling law enforcement.
• There’s a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for subsequent violations, excluding additional fees.

As distracted driving in California continues to cause accidents in 2025, the law must focus on saving lives and property through stricter enforcement and potential increases in fines. 

Violating these laws can affect one’s ability to demand restitution in an accident. Specifically, the pure comparative negligence rule reduces the settlement for any party partially at fault for the crash—another reason to stay focused on the road.

Key Distracted Driving Laws in California: 2025 Updates

California intensifies its efforts to combat distracted driving with these legal updates:

• Increased fines for repeat offenders

A first-time violation results in a base fine, but multiple offenses within 36 months impose higher fines, add points to the driver’s record, and may result in license suspension or revocation.

• Stricter enforcement of hands-free device laws

The law prohibits using handheld devices—even at a red light—while driving. Law enforcement is also increasing targeted crackdowns, especially in high-traffic areas and school zones.

• Expansion of prohibited activities

Using smartwatches and engaging in video calls while driving are explicitly banned. This acknowledges the evolving nature of technology and its potential to distract drivers. 

Common Types of Distracted Driving and Their Risks

Distracted driving contributes to 25%–30% of all traffic crashes, making it a significant road safety concern. Here are the  most common types of distractions:

1. Visual distractions

Reading billboards, glancing at passengers, and the like take your eyes off the road. Even quick actions like checking GPS directions or adjusting the radio can result in a missed red light or a rear-end collision.

2. Manual distractions

Some activities necessitate taking one’s hands off the wheel, including eating or reaching for something in the car. For instance, a driver grabbing their coffee may not react in time to sudden traffic stops.

3. Cognitive distractions

A moment of daydreaming on a long highway stretch could cause a driver to miss an oncoming hazard. The same goes for when the mind drifts from driving due to fatigue.

Penalties for Violating Distracted Driving Laws in 2025

Violating California’s distracted driving laws carries significant consequences to deter unsafe behaviors and enhance road safety.

• Base fines and total costs

The base fine for a first offense is $20, escalating to $50 for subsequent violations. However, with additional fees and penalty assessments, the actual amount drivers pay is substantially higher. For example, a first-time texting-while-driving ticket can cost at least $162, while a second offense may reach $285 or more.

• License points and additional penalties

Repeat offenders face mandatory driving courses, increased fines, and additional points to their driving records—not to mention higher insurance premiums. Judges can impose harsher penalties, especially if the driver has prior convictions or the violation occurs in a construction zone. 

• Special rules for commercial and underage drivers

Commercial drivers are subject to stricter regulations. Using a handheld phone while operating a commercial vehicle can result in fines from $2,750 for the driver and $11,000 for the employer. Drivers under 18 are forbidden from using any wireless communication device—handheld or hands-free—while driving.

In severe cases, distracted driving may lead to criminal charges like misdemeanors or felonies, mainly when accidents result in significant harm or fatalities. Convictions can lead to probation, license suspension, or even imprisonment. 

If a distracted driver has harmed you or a valued companion, a car accident lawyer can educate you on your entitlements and pursue the compensation you deserve.

How Law Enforcement and Technology Are Reducing Distracted Driving

Law enforcement and cutting-edge technology can curb distracted driving. From stricter policing to AI-driven monitoring, here’s how safety measures are evolving in 2025.

Stronger police enforcement

California law enforcement agencies combat distracted driving through targeted patrols and advanced policing methods. Officers now conduct frequent patrols in high-risk areas where distracted driving incidents are most common. Unmarked vehicles and roadside cameras help catch violators who may believe they can use their phones unnoticed. 

For its part, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has upgraded its patrol car technology with in-car computer systems that integrate radio and light controls. These in-car screens display only critical information to block non-essential messages that could divert their attention.

Officers can also operate essential vehicle functions using hand-controlled pads to focus on the road while minimizing distractions. 

Technological innovations

Likewise, emerging technologies make detecting and preventing distracted driving easier. AI-powered traffic cameras can automatically identify phone usage behind the wheel and issue citations. Many modern vehicles feature driver-monitoring systems (DMS) that use in-cabin cameras to track signs of distraction or drowsiness, alerting the driver when needed.

Meanwhile, crash prevention technologies, like automatic braking and forward collision warning systems, reduce the risks associated with distracted driving. 

Smartphone manufacturers have also introduced Do Not Disturb driving modes, which silence notifications when motion sensors detect that a driver is on the move. 

Distraction Costs More Than Just a Fine

Every glance at one’s phone and moment of lost focus only takes a second for a life to change forever. Distracted driving involves not only fines or penalties but also devastating crashes, families torn apart, and lives that will never be the same.

California’s 2025 distracted driving laws are stricter than ever because the stakes are too high. Staying alert behind the wheel is both a legal obligation and a responsibility to yourself and everyone on the road.

If you or a loved one has suffered from a distracted driver, know that help is available. Visit RMD Law’s blog to learn more about your rights and legal options.