State Banned ? Notes
National Being debated Bills being debated in the Federal government that will override local legislation
Alabama No  
Alaska No  
Arkansas Partial School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone.
Arizona Partial A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone
California No Bill to introduce ban failed Feb 1998 - car rental companies required to offer guidance on cell phone use. New study requested from Jan 2002 - but failed to move from the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Colorado No Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stoped for another violation first
Connecticut Yes Banned with effect from Oct. 2005 - teens are also forbidden from using handsfree kits while moving
Delaware No A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested
District of Columbia Yes Banned from July 2004
Florida Partial State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush..
Georgia Prtial School bus drivers banned from using cellphones while driving
Hawaii Being debated A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu.
Idaho No  
Illinois Partial School bus drivers are banned - Chicago has passed a bill banning driving while using a phone, fines of US$50 per infraction.
Indiana No Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004
Iowa Being debated  
Kansas No Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000
Kentucky No  
Louisiana Being debated Study into the effects of a ban underway
Maine Partial Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving
Maryland No Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel
Massachusetts Partial Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone.
Michigan No  
Minnesota Partial Teenagers and provisional drivers are banned
Mississippi No Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Missouri No  
Montana No  
Nebraska No Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004
Nevada No State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003.
New Hampshire Partial Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident.
New Jersey Yes Banned from July 2004 - the fine is up to US$250
New Mexico Partial Being debated - local ban in the city of Santa Fe
New York Yes Ban effective from Nov. 2001
North Carolina Being debated Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out.
North Dakota Being debated Bill proposed by Sen. Harvey Tallackson, D-Grafton, Feb 2005
Ohio Partial The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn.
Oklahoma No Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Oregon No A new bill enacted in Jan 2002 forbids the local governments from implementing their own cell phone ban. 
Pennsylvania Partial Local cities have their own laws - state legislation pending
Rhode Island No Governor Almond rejected a ban - July 2001. School buses are banned from using a cell phone. Proposal for a ban being debated, April 2004.
South Carolina No  
South Dakota No  
Tennessee Partial School buses are banned from using a cell phone
Texas No Bill proposed for 2005 by Rodney Ellis and fellow Democrat Rep. Jose Menendez of San Antonio
Utah No Bill to introduce ban failed March 1998. Highland city planning a ban - Feb 2005
Vermont No  
Virginia Partial Bill failed in Dec. 1998 - but it only applied to school bus drivers. Passed a bill in Aug. 2001 to look for any impact on safety by the use of a cell phone while driving. Bill banning minors passed Jan 2005.
Washington No Bill to introduce ban failed Jan 2001. New laws proposed Q1 2005
West Virginia No Bill proposed in 1999, but never debated
Wisconsin No Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998. Ball to ban younger drivers only being debated.
Wyoming No Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but not debated

Last update 3rd October 2005

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