The Highway Code: update to rules on using mobile phones

From today (25 March), rules in The Highway Code are coming into force to make any hand-held use of a mobile phone while driving illegal, except in limited circumstances.

The changes were supported by 80% of respondents in a public consultation in 2021.

This means you must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline. The law applies to you if you’re:

- supervising a learner driver

- stopped at traffic lights

- queuing in traffic

- driving a car that turns the engine off when you stop moving

- holding and using a device that’s offline or in flight mode

There are exceptions, such as if you need to call 999 or 112 in an emergency or making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving.