Using a Mobile Phone when Driving
Roads
Vulnerable Users
Driving Law
Breakdowns
Fact: using a mobile phone while driving could slow your reaction time by 50% and make you four times more likely to crash.
Using a phone or sat-nav when driving
It’s illegal to hold a phone or sat nav while driving, and you must have hands-free access, such as:
- A Bluetooth headset.
- Voice command.
- A dashboard holder or mat.
- A windscreen mount.
- A built-in sat nav.
The law still applies to you if you’re:
- Stopped at traffic lights.
- Queuing in traffic.
- Supervising a learner driver.
You can legally use a hand-held mobile phone in the car if you:
- Are safely parked.
- Need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
You must stay in full control of your vehicle at all times. The police can stop you if they think you’re not in control because you’re distracted and you can be prosecuted.
Drink driving v text driving
70% Of young drivers think it’s more dangerous to text drive than drink drive. (according to an AA-Populus poll of 17,979 for the AA Charitable Trust).
Hey did you know?
The law still applies to you if you’re:
- Stopped at traffic lights.
- Queuing in traffic.
- Supervising a learner driver.
You can legally use a hand-held mobile phone in the car if you:
- Are safely parked.
- Need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency, and it’s unsafe or impractical to stop.
Best practice
- If you make a call to someone, who tells you they are driving, suggest you speak when they are safely parked.
- If you receive a call find a safe place to stop and phone back.
Penalties
If the Police stop you for using a handheld phone while driving, you’ll get six penalty points on your licence and a fine of £200.
If you get just 6 points in the first two years after passing your test, you will lose your licence.
Click the button below to find out how to apply for your theory test NI.