Australia
   

Yes
   

Banned in all states - fines vary though.

Austria
   

Yes
   

Fines vary - up to US$22 per incident

Belgium
   

Yes
   

Phones can be used without a hands-free unit when the car is stationary - but not while in traffic (such as at traffic lights)

Brazil
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed Jan. 2001

Botswana
   

Being debated
   

The attorney general is drafting the legislation

Canada
   

Variable
   

Banned in Newfoundland (Dec2002) fines up to US$180. Discussed again October 2006.

Chile
   

Yes
   

 

Czech Republic
   

Yes
   

 

Denmark
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed July 1998 - US$60 fine for infringements

Egypt
   

Yes
   

Fines of about US$100 per offence.

Finland
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed January 2003 - US$55 fine for infringements

France
   

Yes
   

Banned 2003, EUR40 fine per infraction

Germany
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed Feb. 2001 - usage allowed without a hands-free unit only when the engine is switched off. Fine of  40 per infraction

Greece
   

Yes
   

 

Hong Kong
   

Yes
   

 

Hungary
   

Yes
   

Not often implemented by the police

India - New Delhi
   

Yes
   

New Delhi - Ban extended to ban all use of cell phones when driving, including use with a hands-free unit - July 2001

Andhra Pradesh - Ban now enforced with prison sentences

Ireland
   

Yes
   

Banned, with a US$380 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment on a third offence. Handsfree kits allowed, although that is subject to review.

Isle of Man
   

Yes
   

Banned since July 2000

Israel
   

Yes
   

 

Italy
   

Yes
   

Fines of up to US$124 per infraction

Japan
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed Nov. 1999

Jersey
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed Feb. 1998

Jordan
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed Oct. 2001

Kenya
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed late 2001

Malaysia
   

Yes
   

 

Mexico
   

Partial
   

Ban in Mexico City

Netherlands
   

Yes
   

 

New Zealand
   

Being debated
   

Under debate - consultation being sought from interested parties

Norway
   

Yes
   

Fines of over $600 per infraction

Pakistan
   

Partial
   

Banned in Islamabad

Philippines
   

Yes
   

 

Poland
   

Yes
   

Fines can be as high as US$1,000

Portugal
   

Yes
   

 

Romania
   

Yes
   

 

Russia
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed by Prime Minister - March 2001

Singapore
   

Yes
   

 

Slovak Republic
   

Yes
   

 

Slovenia
   

Yes
   

 

South Africa
   

Yes
   

 

South Korea
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed July 2001 - US$47 fine + 15 points on the license.

Spain
   

Yes
   

 

Sweden
   

Yes
   

 

Switzerland
   

Yes
   

 

Taiwan
   

Yes
   

If the driver is using a reflective screen on the car, local privacy laws forbid stopping the car for violating the ban.

Thailand
   

Yes
   

Bill proposed in May 2000

Turkey
   

Yes
   

 

Turkmenistan
   

Yes
   

Signed into law with effect from May 1st 2003, by President Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy

UK
   

Yes
   

Banned from December 2003

Zimbabwe
   

Yes
   

Ban imposed in Sept 2001, announced via official news agency only though, so not confirmed
 
USA states breakdown
State

    Banned ?

    Notes

National
   

Being debated
   

Bills being debated in the Federal government that will override local legislation

Alabama
   

No
   

 

Alaska
   

No
   

 

Arkansas
   

Partial
   

School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone.

Arizona
   

Partial
   

A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone

California
   

Yes
   

Bill to introduce ban failed Feb 1998. Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, violators face a US$20 fine for a first offense and a US$50 ticket for subsequent infractions.

Colorado
   

No
   

Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stoped for another violation first

Connecticut
   

Yes
   

Banned with effect from Oct. 2005 - teens are also forbidden from using handsfree kits while moving

Delaware
   

No
   

A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested

District of Columbia
   

Yes
   

Banned from July 2004

Florida
   

Partial
   

State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush..

Georgia
   

Partial
   

School bus drivers banned from using cell phones while driving. DeKalb County has fines when crashes can be attributed to driving while using a cellphone.

Hawaii
   

Being debated
   

A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu.

Idaho
   

No
   

 

Illinois
   

Partial
   

School bus drivers are banned - Chicago has passed a bill banning driving while using a phone, fines of US$50 per infraction.

Indiana
   

No
   

Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004

Iowa
   

Being debated
   

 

Kansas
   

No
   

Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000

Kentucky
   

No
   

 

Louisiana
   

Being debated
   

Study into the effects of a ban underway

Maine
   

Partial
   

Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving

Maryland
   

No
   

Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel

Massachusetts
   

Partial
   

Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone.

Michigan
   

No
   

 

Minnesota
   

Partial
   

Teenagers and provisional drivers are banned - $100 fine plus delays in license upgrades for offenders

Mississippi
   

No
   

Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.

Missouri
   

No
   

 

Montana
   

No
   

 

Nebraska
   

No
   

Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004

Nevada
   

No
   

State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003.

New Hampshire
   

Partial
   

Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident.

New Jersey
   

Yes
   

Banned from July 2004 - the fine is up to US$250

New Mexico
   

Partial
   

Being debated - local ban in the city of Santa Fe

New York
   

Yes
   

Ban effective from Nov. 2001

North Carolina
   

Being debated
   

Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out.

North Dakota
   

Being debated
   

Bill proposed by Sen. Harvey Tallackson, D-Grafton, Feb 2005

Ohio
   

Partial
   

The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn.

Oklahoma
   

No
   

Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.

Oregon
   

No
   

A new bill enacted in Jan 2002 forbids the local governments from implementing their own cell phone ban.

Pennsylvania
   

Partial
   

Local cities have their own laws - state legislation pending

Rhode Island
   

No
   

Governor Almond rejected a ban - July 2001. School buses are banned from using a cell phone. Proposal for a ban being debated, April 2004.

South Carolina
   

No
   

 

South Dakota
   

No
   

 

Tennessee
   

Partial
   

School buses are banned from using a cell phone

Texas
   

No
   

Senate Bill 154 proposed. If passed would come into effect from 2008. A previous attempt in 2005 failed

Utah
   

No
   

Bill to introduce ban failed March 1998. Highland city planning a ban - Feb 2005

Vermont
   

No
   

 

Virginia
   

Partial
   

Bill failed in Dec. 1998 - but it only applied to school bus drivers. Passed a bill in Aug. 2001 to look for any impact on safety by the use of a cell phone while driving. Bill banning minors passed Jan 2005.

Washington
   

No
   

Bill to introduce ban failed Jan 2001. New laws proposed Q1 2005

West Virginia
   

No
   

Bill proposed in 1999, but never debated

Wisconsin
   

No
   

Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998. Bill to ban younger drivers only being debated.

Wyoming
   

No
   

Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but not debated