Your Phone Behind the Wheel
29-A M.R.S. § 2121 — hands free only, and no texting, even stopped at a light
No one drives on a public way while using, holding, talking into or otherwise interacting with a handheld device or phone, including while stopped in traffic, at a light or at a stop sign. A driver 18 or older, not on a permit or intermediate license, may use one in hands free mode, and may tap or swipe once to work a feature on a phone mounted where it does not block the view.
Who handles this in Maine: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Maine directory.
- Calling police or emergency services in an emergency is allowed, except for a driver on a learner's permit.
- A driver pulled over to the side or off the road, stopped where the vehicle can safely stay, may use the phone.
- A handheld violation is a traffic infraction with a fine of $50 for a first offense and $250 after that.
No one operates a motor vehicle on a public way while text messaging, including while the vehicle is stopped in traffic, at a light or at a stop sign. A driver who has pulled over to the side of the way, or off it, and stopped where the vehicle can safely stay may text from the driver's seat.
A first violation is a traffic infraction with a fine of at least $250. Another within a 3-year period brings a fine of at least $500 and a suspension without a hearing: at least thirty days for a second, sixty days for a third, and ninety days for a fourth.
A licensed driver under 18 does not use a handheld device or phone at all while driving, for 270 days after getting the license, unless pulled over and stopped where the vehicle can safely stay.
Sources for this section (3)
- 29-A M.R.S. § 2121 — Use of mobile telephones and handheld electronic devices while operating motor vehicles prohibited
- 29-A M.R.S. § 2119 — Text messaging while operating motor vehicle; prohibition
- 29-A M.R.S. § 1311 — Intermediate license
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maine attorney.