News: New Laws On Using Mobile Phones While Driving

In March 2022 the UK Government updated laws on the use of mobile phones while driving. Are you up to date on when it's illegal to use a mobile phone behind the wheel?

Handheld mobile phone use behind the wheel has long been a controversial subject in the UK with previous laws including possible loopholes for their use. 

Following changes to laws around the use of mobile phones while driving, made on 25th March 2022, these loopholes have been closed. Using a handheld mobile phone for any purpose behind the wheel is now illegal.

This includes taking photos or videos, scrolling through music playlists, using streaming services or playing games. 

What Are The UK mobile Phone Driving Laws?

Following the update in March 2022, it is now illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any handheld device that can send or receive data, while driving or riding a motorcycle. 

For UK drivers, this means that you cannot use a device in your hand for any reason.

The law still applies if you are:

• Stopped at traffic lights
• Queuing in traffic
• Supervising a learner driver 
• Using a car with a stop start engine when not moving 
• Using a device that is offline or in flight mode 

Can I lose my driving licence for using my mobile phone while driving?

In short, get caught using your mobile phone behind the wheel and yes, you might be at risk of losing your licence, depending on how long you've held it.

The penalties for breaking handheld device driving laws have also been increase:

• Any driver caught breaking the law can receive 6 penalty points and a £200 fine
• Drivers who have had their licence for longer than 2 years are legally allowed 12 points before losing their licence. That's just 2 mobile phone incidents over a 3-year period before losing your licence. Points can also affect your car insurance premium. 
• If you've held your driving licence for less than 2 years, you will lose your licence. Drivers who have held their licence for less than 2 years need just 6 points to lose it. So, just one occurrence of breaking hand-held device laws will mean losing your driving licence. 
• Drivers can get a further 3 points if they "do not have a full view of the road and traffic ahead or proper control of the vehicle" if they are using a handheld device. If the police feel it is a particularly extreme example of using a device behind the wheel, the driver could be taken to court. Here, the maximum fine is £2000 and guilty drivers could face disqualification. 
• If you're involved in an accident caused by using a hand-held device - a two-year driving ban is obligatory. The Government is also considering increasing the penalty for causing death by dangerous or careless driving to 14 years - life imprisonment. 

Can I Still Use My Mobile Phone Hands-Free In the UK While Driving? 

The Government has said there are no plans to introduce a ban on hands-free mobile use.

However, there are a few things you should do when using a hands-free device while driving in the UK to make sure you don’t fall foul of the law:

• Do not hold your phone, event momentarily, when behind the wheel.
• Make sure your device is fully set up for hands-free before driving.
• Ensure your device is not blocking your view of the road.

Can I Use My Phone As A Sat Nav While Driving In The UK?

Provided you do not handle the mobile handset, you can use your phone as satellite navigation while driving in the UK. If you're using an app for directions, you need to make sure: 

• The phone is fixed to your windscreen or dashboard
• It is not obscuring your view of the road 
• You do not need to interact with the phone at all while driving 

When can I use my phone in my vehicle?

The law is clear. It is only legal to use a hand-held device when you are safely parked. This does not include waiting in traffic or being stationary at a traffic light. 

The only exceptions include: 

• Making an emergency services call. You can make a call to 999 or 112 on a hand-held device while diving, but only if it's not safe to stop.
• Making a contactless payment when the vehicle is not moving, e.g. at drive-through restaurants
• If your vehicle has technology to remotely park using a mobile phone 

How can I stop being distracted by my phone while I'm driving?

Worryingly, despite mobile phone laws becoming stricter, recent surveys suggest that British motorists are more willing to use hand-held devices behind the wheel.

An RAC survey from 2020 found that 29% of all drivers (equivalent to 11 million motorists), confess to making or receiving calls on a handheld phone while driving, at least occasionally. Up from 24% in 2019. Drivers aged 17-24 are twice as likely to use a hand-held device than other road users. 

There are a few things you might want to consider to avoid the temptation of picking up your phone while driving:

• Switch it off
• Use a driving mode - this will block sounds, vibrations and notifications 
• Use a Bluetooth connection - if you still need to take calls make sure you have hands-free access to your phone before setting off 
• Remove your phone from sight - putting your phone in your pocket, glovebox or keeping it in a handbag can prevent you from being distracted by the screen lighting up or an alert sounds
• Use a safe driving app - popular options include: LifeSaver - Distracted Driving (available on iOS and Android devices). This app runs silently in the background and blocks your phone while you're driving. You can also set up automatic alerts to let others know you've arrive safely at your destination.