As of mid-2025, California has cracked down even harder on distracted driving. Building on its existing hands-free rules, the state now enforces a “no-touch” standard: drivers are no longer allowed to hold their phones for any reason while behind the wheel, even just to glance at a map or change music.

This shift comes after a court ruling (in People v. Porter) that clarified the law: simply holding a phone, even without texting or talking, is a violation.

Penalties to Watch For

  • First offense: base fine (plus additional fees), around $136 in practice. 

  • Second offense (within 36 months): higher fine (around $272) and a point added to your DMV driving record. 

  • Law enforcement can stop drivers just for this, it’s primary enforcement. 

How This Impacts Teen Drivers, Permit & Learner License Holders, and Parents

  • For teen drivers and permit (learner license) holders:
    If you're under 18, the no-touch law is especially strict. You can’t hold a phone at all while driving, even briefly.  That means no navigating with your phone in hand, no looking at messages, and no passing it around. It’s a big shift in how you’ll practice safe driving and follow the rules.

  • For parents:
    This change means you’ll want to insist that any time your teen drives, the phone be properly mounted (like on a dashboard or windshield) and used only via voice commands, or a single tap if permitted. Before a trip, set the GPS or playlist, don’t rely on last-second phone adjustments. The stakes are higher now, because holding the device at any time could lead to a ticket and a point on their driving record.

  • For driver education and driver license training:
    This update underscores why formal driver education is so important. Learning to anticipate and manage distractions, especially phone-related ones, is now part of what it means to be a responsible novice driver. In your driver ed or practice hours, make handling in-car tech safely a non-negotiable topic.

Why This Change Matters

Distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes, and by closing the loophole that allowed “just holding” a phone, California aims to reduce the risk of collisions caused by even momentary distractions. For new drivers, especially teens, this law reinforces the critical lesson: when you’re behind the wheel, your eyes belong on the road, not your phone.

Bottom line + reminder:
If you're working toward your driver license, learner license, or permit, this new “no-touch” phone law means you need to be extra careful, and strategic, about how you use your device in the car. Take advantage of driver education programs that cover these real-world risks, practice good habits from the start, and help keep your driving record clean.

And if you’re looking for a way to prepare with confidence, remember: you can stay compliant and confident with DriverEdToGo.com, your go-to resource for smart, up-to-date driver education.