California implemented a new distracted driving law that could cost you $300 as of July 1, 2025. It may surprise you to learn that it is against the law to hold your phone while driving, even if you are only using it to check your GPS. This rule, which was implemented in response to a June ruling by a California appeals court, attempts to fill gaps and guarantee that drivers always keep their eyes on the road.
Violators of the new distracted driving law may be subject to fines of up to $300, license points, and increased insurance costs.
Why California Is Cracking Down on Distracted Driving
In California, distracted driving is a serious problem. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving-related collisions claimed 148 lives in California in 2022.
In a multi-agency operation on April 30, 2025, the California Highway Patrol and the Bakersfield Police Department Traffic Unit issued 179 citations to drivers in Bakersfield alone.
This demonstrates that distracted driving is a common practice among Californian drivers, necessitating the implementation of stronger regulations to outlaw it.
Because the car can travel a considerable distance at 40 mph, Caleb Kiser, a BPD Sergeant in the Traffic Division, cautioned that using your phone for even a brief moment while driving could be dangerous.
“When you are traveling at 30, 40, or 50 miles per hour. That one glance away for even a second your vehicle can travel several hundred feet in that time frame. The ability to control your vehicle when you look away is severely impaired,” said Kiser.
What’s Illegal Now?
According to the updated law, it is illegal to drive while holding your phone even in traffic or at a red light. Therefore, scrolling through music playlists, checking notifications, checking GPS or maps, or just holding your phone without using it could land you in trouble.
However, the law allows you to mount your phone on your console, windshield, or dashboard, but you can only interact with it via a single tap or swipe or via voice commands.
Who Is Exempt from the Hands-Free Rules
While this rule prohibits drivers from using their phones while driving, it exempts emergency personnel such as police, paramedics, and firefighters. Passengers can also use their phones because they are not driving.
The Real Cost of Breaking the New Law
First offenders of distracted driving face a base fine of $20, but with fees, it totals to around $136-$170. Those caught committing the offense the second time within 36 months face up to $272-$300 and one point on your DMV record. You can request your driver’s record here.
If you accumulate too many points, you could be at risk of license suspension and higher insurance rates.
How to Stay Compliant
To avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law, you should:
- Mount your phone before driving for music or navigation and set your GPS or playlist before you start the car.
- Use voice commands or hands-free features.
- Pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road if you need to check your phone.
How the 2025 Ruling Closes Dangerous Loopholes
In 2008, lawmakers first enacted Vehicle Code §23123, which prohibited drivers from talking on a cell phone while driving, unless they were using a hands-free device. In 2017, Assembly Bill 1785 expanded the previous law to allow only mounted devices to be operated with a swipe or single tap.
Many drivers still found ways to skirt the law by claiming they were just holding their phones and not talking or texting. The new 2025 rule now seeks to amend the previous laws, stipulating that holding a phone for any reason while driving is illegal.