Your Phone Behind The Wheel
G.S. 20-137.4A — no texting or email while driving, and a $100 fine
In North Carolina, no one may drive on a public street, highway or public vehicular area while using a mobile phone to manually enter multiple letters or text to communicate with someone, or to read an email or text message. Names, numbers stored in the phone, and caller identification are not covered.
An infraction, $100 and court costs. A violation is an infraction with a fine of $100 and the costs of court, and no license points or insurance surcharge. In a school bus it is a Class 2 misdemeanor with a fine of at least $100.
- A driver lawfully parked or stopped.
- Officers, firefighters and ambulance drivers on duty.
- GPS and digital dispatch systems.
- Voice operated technology.
A driver under 18 may not use a mobile phone at all while the vehicle is moving, hands free included, except to call a parent, legal guardian or spouse, or to reach emergency responders, a hospital or clinic, an ambulance service, a fire department or the police about an emergency. It is an infraction with a $25 fine and no points, surcharge or court costs.
Sources for this section (2)
- G.S. 20-137.4A — Unlawful use of mobile telephone for text messaging or email
- G.S. 20-137.3 — Unlawful use of a mobile phone by persons under 18 years of age
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.