The law means there’s a ban on using handheld phones or sat navs while driving or riding a motorbike. That also includes similar devices like tablets. A handheld device is defined as something that "is or must be held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function".

What aren’t you allowed to do?

The ban on using hand-held devices while driving includes:

How to use your phone safely on the road

If you need to use a handheld phone

What are the penalties for using a mobile while driving?

Instead of a Fixed Penalty Notice, you could be taken to court if:

You refuse to accept the fixed penalty.

The police think the offence is so bad that a fixed penalty isn’t enough.

Discretionary disqualification

Penalties for causing an accident while using a phone

If your driving’s bad, or if there’s a crash while you’re using the phone, you could be prosecuted for:

Penalties for employers

Your employer may be open to prosecution if:

Penalties for cyclists

It's not a specific offence to cycle and use a handheld mobile phone. But you could be prosecuted for careless or dangerous cycling if it distracts you.

Are there any exemptions?

You’re allowed to use a handheld device under exceptional circumstances:

You can make an emergency call to 999 or 112 only if it’s unsafe or impractical to stop first.

You can use a two-way radio but not any other device that sends or receives data.