Most people don’t realize how strict Minnesota’s phone laws really are. Seriously. You can’t just put down your phone at a red light and think you’re good. The law says no holding your phone at all while driving. Period.
Let me break down exactly what you need to know. These rules have been around since 2019, but a lot of drivers still don’t get it. Trust me, the penalties add up fast.
What Is Minnesota’s Hands-Free Law?
Minnesota’s hands-free law is pretty straightforward. You cannot hold your phone in your hand while driving. It doesn’t matter if you’re actively using it or not. If it’s in your hand, you’re breaking the law.
The law went into effect on August 1, 2019. Minnesota became the 17th state to go hands-free. The goal? Reduce distracted driving accidents. And honestly, it makes sense.
What You Can Do With Your Phone
Okay, here’s the good news. You can still use your phone while driving. You just can’t hold it.
You can make calls using voice commands. You can send texts using voice commands. You can listen to music or podcasts. You can get GPS directions. But everything must be done hands-free.
Here’s how it works. You can use one-touch activation to start something. For example, you can tap once to answer a call. You can press once to skip a song. That’s it. One touch, then hands off.
Voice commands work for pretty much everything. “Hey Siri, call Mom.” “Okay Google, navigate to Target.” You get the idea. Just keep your hands on the wheel.
What You Definitely Cannot Do
Hold on, this part is important. Even with hands-free mode, there are things you absolutely cannot do.
You cannot watch videos while driving. You cannot look at photos stored on your phone. You cannot play games. You cannot use Snapchat or do video calls. No live-streaming either.
Reading texts is illegal. Scrolling through your phone is illegal. Typing on your phone is illegal. Checking social media is against the law. Even if you’re using voice commands for other things, these activities are banned.
This applies even when you’re stopped at a red light. Yep, that’s right. Sitting at a stoplight doesn’t give you permission to grab your phone. The law says if your vehicle is “in motion or a part of traffic,” these rules apply.
Wondering if this applies to you? If you’re on a road, at a light, or in traffic, the answer is yes.
Special Rules for Teen Drivers
Teens face even stricter rules. If you’re under 18 with a permit or provisional license, you basically cannot use your phone at all.
No phone calls. No texting. Not even hands-free. The only exceptions are GPS navigation and listening to music. Both must be set up before you start driving.
Think about it this way. Adult drivers can make hands-free calls. Teens cannot. It’s that simple.
The only time a teen can actually use their phone is during an emergency. If you need to call 911, obviously you can do that. But that’s literally the only exception for making calls.
How Your Phone Can Be Set Up
You have options for staying legal. Let me walk you through them.
First option: Bluetooth pairing with your car. If your vehicle has Bluetooth, connect your phone before you drive. This is probably the easiest method. Most cars made after 2010 have this feature.
Second option: A phone mount or holder. You can clip your phone to your dashboard. Just make sure it doesn’t block your view. You can still only use voice commands or one-touch activation.
Third option: A single earbud with a microphone. Notice I said single. Using earbuds in both ears while driving is illegal in Minnesota. One ear only.
The cheapest option? Just put your phone away. Store it in your glove box. Toss it in the back seat. Turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode. Problem solved.
What About Smartwatches?
Smartwatches follow the same rules as phones. You can wear your smartwatch while driving. But you can only use it in hands-free mode.
Voice commands are fine. One-touch is fine. But you cannot sit there swiping and scrolling on your watch. That counts as distraction just like a phone does.
Pretty straightforward.
Penalties and Fines
Now let’s talk about what happens if you get caught. The fines might surprise you.
First offense costs $50. But wait, there’s more. Court fees get added on top. Your total bill will be around $100 to $135.
Second offense jumps to $275. Add court fees, and you’re looking at $300 to $360 total. Subsequent violations stay at this higher amount.
These violations go on your driving record. That means your insurance company will find out. Expect your premiums to go up. Sometimes significantly.
Sound expensive? It is. And it’s not worth the risk.
Can You Fight a Ticket?
You can try. But honestly, most people lose. Recent data shows that less than 2% of tickets get dismissed in court.
More than 75% of citations are upheld. The law is written very clearly. Cops can use dashcam footage as evidence. If they saw your phone in your hand, you’re basically caught.
The law makes it pretty hard to wiggle out of these tickets. Officers don’t need to prove you were actively using the phone. Just holding it is enough.
When You Can Actually Touch Your Phone
There are a few exceptions. You can touch your phone in emergency situations.
If there’s a traffic accident, you can use your phone. Medical emergency? Use your phone. Serious traffic hazard? Use your phone. Crime about to happen? Use your phone.
Basically, if someone’s life or safety is in immediate danger, the law allows it. Emergency vehicle drivers can also use their phones while performing official duties.
That’s it. Those are the only exceptions for regular drivers.
Stopped on the Side of the Road
Here’s a question people ask a lot. Can you pull over and use your phone?
Yes, but with conditions. You must be completely stopped. You cannot be on the shoulder of a highway where you’re blocking traffic. You need to be in a location not designed for normal vehicle travel.
A parking lot works. A side street where you’re fully out of the way works. The shoulder of a busy road? Not really.
If You Cause an Accident
Using your phone while driving can lead to serious charges. If you injure someone while violating the hands-free law, it becomes reckless driving. That’s way more serious than a petty misdemeanor.
If you kill someone, the consequences are even worse. Distracted driving that causes death can result in criminal charges. We’re talking potential jail time, not just fines.
Is checking that text message worth it? Obviously not.
How to Actually Follow This Law
Okay, let’s get practical. Here’s how to stay legal and safe.
Before you start driving, set up everything. Enter your GPS destination. Queue up your playlist. Adjust your mirrors. Do all of this before you put the car in drive.
Turn on “Do Not Disturb” while driving. Most phones have this feature now. It silences notifications automatically when it detects you’re driving.
Tell your friends and family about your driving times. Let them know you won’t respond to texts right away. They’ll understand.
If you absolutely must check something, pull over safely. Find a parking lot. Turn off your car. Then look at your phone. It takes an extra minute, but it’s legal.
Common Questions People Get Wrong
A lot of drivers don’t understand these rules. Let me clear up some confusion.
Can you hold your phone at a red light? No. The law says “in motion or a part of traffic.” A red light still counts as part of traffic.
Can you hold your phone to plug it in? No. Any holding of the phone is illegal. Set it up before you drive.
Can you move your phone from the cup holder to your passenger seat? Technically no. If you pick it up and hold it to move it, that’s a violation. Sounds picky, but that’s the law.
Can you check your phone for GPS directions? You can glance at it if it’s mounted. But you cannot hold it. You cannot type or scroll.
What Counts as “Hands-Free Mode”
Let’s define this clearly. Hands-free mode means voice activation or single-touch operation. It does NOT mean holding your phone while talking on speaker.
Voice activation examples: “Call Dad.” “Navigate home.” “Play my podcast.”
Single-touch examples: Pressing a button to answer a call. Tapping once to skip a song. One touch on a mounted phone to start navigation.
Not hands-free: Holding your phone in any way. Scrolling with one finger while holding with the other hand. Reading texts even if you’re not typing.
Devices That Are Actually Legal
GPS devices that only do navigation are exempt. Those standalone GPS units you clip to your dashboard? Totally fine. They’re not wireless communication devices.
Your car’s built-in touchscreen? Also fine. The law only applies to wireless devices you’re holding.
Two-way radios for work? Legal. These aren’t covered by the hands-free law.
School Bus Drivers
School bus drivers have different rules. For them, any cell phone violation is a misdemeanor. Not a petty misdemeanor, an actual misdemeanor.
The penalties are much harsher. Up to 90 days in jail. Up to $1,000 in fines. Immediate revocation of school bus driving privileges.
Why so strict? Kids on board. Makes sense when you think about it.
Your Insurance Will Find Out
Remember, these tickets go on your driving record. Your insurance company checks your record regularly. They will see the violation.
Most insurance companies increase rates after a moving violation. The increase varies by company. But expect to pay more for several years.
Some people think a $100 fine isn’t that bad. Then they see their insurance go up $300 per year. For three years. That $100 fine just cost you $900 in insurance increases.
Do the math. It’s not worth it.
The Bottom Line
Minnesota’s phone law is simple. Don’t hold your phone while driving. Use voice commands. Use one-touch activation. Keep your hands on the wheel.
If you’re under 18, the rules are even stricter. No phone use at all except GPS and music.
The penalties add up fast. The first ticket hurts your wallet. The second ticket really hurts. Your insurance rates will increase. Multiple violations can cost thousands of dollars over time.
You’re not alone if this seems strict. But the law exists for a reason. Distracted driving kills people. In 2019, Minnesota decided enough was enough.
Stay safe out there. Put the phone down. It can wait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone at a drive-through?
If you’re in a drive-through lane and your car is completely stopped in a non-traffic area, you can technically use your phone. But if you’re in the regular flow of traffic, even moving slowly, you cannot hold it.
What if my phone falls and I need to pick it up?
Leave it on the floor until you can safely pull over. Reaching down to grab it takes your eyes off the road and counts as holding your phone. Just wait.
Can I use navigation apps like Waze or Google Maps?
Yes, but only if your phone is mounted and you’re using voice commands or single-touch. You cannot hold your phone to look at the map or type in addresses while driving.
Do these laws apply in parking lots?
It depends. If the parking lot is part of active traffic flow, yes. If you’re fully stopped in a parking space with your car in park, you’re probably okay. But to be safe, wait until you’re parked.
What happens if I get multiple tickets?
Each subsequent violation costs $275 plus court fees. They all go on your record. Your insurance rates will increase significantly. You could also face license suspension if you accumulate too many violations.
References
- Minnesota Statute 169.475 – Use of Wireless Communications Device: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.475
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Hands-Free Cell Phone Law: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/safe-driving-information-and-laws/driver-and-passenger-safety/hands-free-cell-phone-driving
- Minnesota Department of Public Safety – Distracted Driving Laws: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ots/safe-driving-information-and-laws/traffic-safety-laws/distracted-driving-laws
- HandsFreeMN.org – Official Information Resource: https://handsfreemn.org
- Minnesota House Research Department – Distracted Driving Report: https://www.house.mn.gov/hrd/pubs/ss/ssdistdrvg.pdf
