Our animated video shows drivers the rules on mobile phone use. Read a transcript.
Read first Click here to download the latest Samsung Galaxy firmware for your device. Click here to take a look into our Samsung Galaxy firmware archive. We recommend using Samsung’s own utilities, Samsung Smart Switch and OTA (Over-the-air), to upgrade devices. . Open the RIDE application via your mobile phone, desktop or RIDE station. Log in using your name and company or personal cell phone number. Select Call-A-Ride or Drive Yourself via the main. A new FMCSA rule restricts the use of all hand-held mobile devices by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking restricts a CMV driver from holding a mobile device to make a call, or dialing by pressing more than a single button.
Find answers to common questions about mobile phone road rules.
Legal mobile phone use
| Use or Function | Unrestricted licence holders | Learner and provisional licence holders |
|---|---|---|
| Make or receive audio phone call | Yes, ONLY if the phone is either:
| No. |
| Use music or audio functions | No. | |
| Use as a driver's aid (e.g. navigation, Speed Adviser app or dispatch system) | Yes, ONLY if the phone is secured in a cradle fixed to the vehicle | No. |
| Access a Digital Driver Licence | Yes, ONLY after a police officer has asked you to do so. | |
| Use wallet functions (make a transaction, show a coupon or voucher, or to access an area) | Yes, ONLY if the vehicle is:
| |
Illegal mobile phone use
All other functions including video calling, texting, emailing, social media, web browsing and photography are prohibited unless parked.
It is also illegal to hold and use a mobile phone at any time while driving or riding.
Using a Digital Driver Licence
It’s illegal to access your Digital Driver Licence when driving, including when stationary, unless you’re asked to do so by a police officer. Penalties apply.
Learner, P1 and P2 licence holders
Restricted licences holders including learner, P1 and P2 drivers and riders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding. This includes use of hands-free and Bluetooth functions.
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Illegal mobile phone use will result in heavy penalties including demerit points and fines, which could mean the loss of your licence.
Tip: Avoid temptation and keep your phone in your bag or glovebox.
Unrestricted licence holders and all bicycle riders
Full licence holders and bicycle riders are permitted to use particular mobile phone functions. These include making or answering a phone call, or playing audio, if the phone:
- Is secured in a cradle; or
- Can be used without touching any part of the phone (e.g. Bluetooth).
This also includes using a mobile phone as a driver’s aid (e.g. navigation) if the phone is secured in a cradle.
Tip: Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Consider the traffic conditions before using your phone.
Mobile phone detection cameras
The mobile phone detection camera program includes fixed and transportable cameras that operate at locations across the network. Coupled with ongoing enforcement by NSW Police, these cameras target illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime.
From 1 March 2020 mobile phone detection cameras will be enforcing illegal use of mobile phones while driving or riding. The penalty for offending drivers is five demerit points and a $349 fine ($464 in a school zone). The penalty increases to 10 demerit points during double-demerit periods.
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NSW Police continue to enforce illegal mobile phone use and issue infringements as part of regular operations.
Mobile phone detection cameras provides more information about the program.
FAQs
For more information on mobile phone rules, select your licence type to find out what rules apply to you.
Restricted licence holders - P1, P2 and Learners (drivers and motorcyclists)
1. Can use my phone to make a call, use GPS or listen to music?
No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.
This applies regardless of whether the phone in use is being handled, resting on any part of the body, secured in a cradle or is being used hands-free (i.e. via Bluetooth). None of these uses are permitted.
2. Can I use my phone to make a call, use GPS or listen to music if it’s in a cradle?
No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.
This applies regardless of whether the phone in use is being handled, resting on any part of the body, secured in a cradle or is being used hands-free (i.e. via Bluetooth). None of these uses are permitted.
3. Can I use my mobile phone if it is on loudspeaker and in my lap?
No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.
This applies regardless of whether the phone in use is being handled, resting on any part of the body, secured in a cradle or is being used hands-free (i.e. via Bluetooth). None of these uses are permitted.
4. Can I use my phone to text?
No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding, including any texting functions.
5. What do I need to do to use my phone?
If you would like to use your phone for any function – including calling, texting, emailing, playing audio or using social media - your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic.
6. Do I need to be parked with my ignition off to use my phone?
To use a mobile phone, you must be parked out of the line of traffic. However, the ignition does not need to be turned off.
7. If I have a Digital Driver Licence and I’m pulled over by NSW Police, when is it OK to pick up my phone to show my licence?
You can only use your mobile phone to access your Digital Driver Licence after being requested to do so by a police officer. It’s illegal to touch your phone before an authorised officer instructs you to do so. For more information on the Digital Driver Licence, please visit the Service NSW website.
8. Am I able to access my mobile phone wallet functions if my vehicle is stationary and off the road?
Yes, if you are required to use a mobile phone wallet function to make a transaction, show a coupon or access an area, then you may do so providing your vehicle is stationary and off the road, such as in a carpark, driveway or drive-thru.
9. Can I use a GPS device that is not a phone?
Yes. A GPS device that is not a mobile phone is permitted for all drivers, as long as the device is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and does not obscure the driver’s view of the road.
10. Will the introduction of mobile phone detection cameras affect me?
Yes, restricted licences holders are not permitted to use their phone while driving or riding. Mobile phone detection cameras enforce illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime across the NSW road network.
11. Was there a warning period for the start of the mobile phone detection camera program?
Warning letters were issued for the first three months (from 1 December, 2019), during which time drivers caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera were issued with a warning letter to encourage them to change their behaviour.
From 1 March 2020 fines and demerit point penalties will be issued to all drivers who are caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera.
Please note NSW Police provide ongoing police enforcement of illegal mobile phone use.
12. How will I know if I’ve been caught using my phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera?
Fines and demerit point penalties will be issued to all drivers who are caught using their mobile phone illgally by a mobile phone detection camera.
13. What is the penalty for being caught for illegal phone use?
The fine for illegal mobile phone use is $349, or $464 if detected in a school zone. There is a five demerit point penalty for illegal mobile phone use, which increases to 10 demerit points during double demerit periods.
Learner and provisional P1 licence holders will exceed their demerit point threshold and lose their licence if caught illegally using their mobile phone. All learner and provisional P1 and P2 licence holders will exceed their demerit point threshold and lose their licence if they are caught using a mobile phone during a double demerit period.
These penalties apply to both camera-detected offences and infringements issued by NSW Police.
14. Do double demerits apply for mobile phone offences detected by a mobile phone detection camera?
Yes, double demerits apply to mobile phone offences during double demerit periods, during which the penalty increases to 10 demerit points.
Unrestricted licence holders (drivers and motorcyclists) and bicycle riders
- What do I need to do to use other functions of my mobile phone (e.g. texting, emailing, social media)?
- Do I need to be parked with my ignition off to use my phone?
1. Can I hold and use my phone?
No. It’s illegal to hold and use your phone while stationary at traffic lights or stuck in traffic.
2. Can I touch my phone if it is in a cradle?
If your phone is secured in a cradle, you can only touch your phone:
- To make or receive a phone call;
- For audio playing functions; or
- For using a driver’s aid (such as navigation).
Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Consider the traffic conditions before using your phone.
3. Can I dial a number if my mobile phone is in a cradle?
Yes. You can use a mobile phone to make or receive audio phone calls if it is secured in a mounting (i.e. cradle) fixed to the vehicle.
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Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Please consider if the call is urgent and the traffic conditions before using your phone.
4. What do I need to do to use other functions of my mobile phone (e.g. texting, emailing, social media)?
If you would like to use your phone for any of these functions, your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic.
5. Do I need to be parked with my ignition off to use my phone?
To use a mobile phone, you must be parked out of the line of traffic. However, the ignition does not need to be turned off.
6. If I have a Digital Driver Licence and I’m pulled over by NSW Police, when is it OK to pick up my phone to show my licence?
You can only handle and use your mobile phone to access your Digital Driver Licence after being requested to do so by a police officer. It’s illegal to touch your phone before a police officer instructs you to do so. For more information on the Digital Driver Licence, please visit the Service NSW website.
7. Am I able to access my mobile phone wallet functions if my vehicle is stationary and off the road?
Yes, if you are required to use a mobile phone wallet function to make a transaction, show a coupon or access an area, then you may do so providing your vehicle is stationary and off the road, such as in a carpark, driveway or drive thru.
8. Can I have my mobile phone in my pocket if I’m using Bluetooth to make or receive a call?
Yes. You can use a mobile phone to make or receive calls if it is in your pocket and it does not require you to touch the phone in any way.
9. I’m a ride share driver. Can I use the dispatch system app on my phone if it’s mounted in a cradle?
Yes. You can use a mobile phone as a dispatch system as long as it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road.
10. Can I use a GPS device that is not a phone?
Yes. A GPS device that is not a mobile phone is permitted for all drivers, as long as the device is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and does not obscure the driver’s view of the road.
11. Where can I attach a cradle to my vehicle?
The cradle (also known as a mounting) must be fixed to the vehicle in a manner intended by the manufacturer. It must not obscure your view of the road (in front and to each side). Find more information in our Windscreen mounted phones and GPS fact sheet (PDF, 56Kb).
12. Will the introduction of mobile phone detection cameras affect me?
Yes, unrestricted licence holders are not permitted to hold and use their phone while driving or riding.
Mobile phone detection cameras enforce illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime across the NSW road network.
13. Was there a warning period for the start of the mobile phone detection camera program?
Warning letters were issued for the first three months (from 1 December, 2019), during which time drivers caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera were issued with a warning letter to encourage them to change their behaviour.
From 1 March 2020 fines and demerit point penalties will be issued to all drivers who are caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera.
Please note NSW Police provide ongoing police enforcement of illegal mobile phone use.
14. What is the penalty for being caught for illegal mobile phone use?
The fine for illegal mobile phone use is $349, or $464 if detected in a school zone. There is a five demerit point penalty for illegal mobile phone use, which increases to 10 demerit points during double demerit periods.
These fines and demerit point penalties apply to both camera-detected offences and infringements issued by NSW Police.
15. Do double demerits apply for mobile phone offences detected by a mobile phone detection camera?
Yes, double demerits apply to mobile phone offences during double demerit periods, during which the penalty increases to 10 demerit points.
To keep yourself and other road users safe your full attention is needed when driving. Driving while using a mobile phone held in your hand is illegal—even if you're stopped in traffic. This means you can't:
- hold the phone next to or near your ear with your hand
- write, send or read a text message
- turn your phone on or off
- operate any other function on your phone.
Mobile phone restrictions
Learner and P1 provisional drivers under 25 must not use hands-free, wireless headsets or a mobile phone's loudspeaker function.
Learner and P1 provisional drivers' passengers are also banned from using a mobile phone's loudspeaker function.
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Find out more about mobile phone restrictions when driving.
Using your mobile phone safely
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- Turn off your mobile phone before you get in your car so you won't be tempted to answer it.
- If you must have your mobile phone on, install a hands-free kit so you can legally drive and talk on your phone (for open or P2 provisional licence holders only), but don't forget to keep concentrating on driving.
- You can use a mobile phone held in your hand if you are legally parked. Parked means stopped with the intention of staying at that place.
If your mobile phone is in a mounting bracket on the windscreen, it must not obscure your view of the road.
These mobile phone rules do not apply to CB radios or any other two-way radios.
Penalties
You can be fined $1000 and have 4 demerit points recorded against your traffic history if your mobile phone is in your hand and being used for any reason while you are driving—including when you're stopped at traffic lights or in congested traffic.
Double demerit points apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences committed within 1 year after an earlier offence.