Overview

• UK law makes it an offence to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or similar device while driving, including when stopped at lights or in traffic.
• Breaking the handheld rule carries six penalty points and a £200 fixed fine, with court penalties up to £1,000 or £2,500 for lorry and bus drivers.
• The legislation applies even if the device is offline or in flight mode, when supervising a learner, or in vehicles with start-stop systems engaged.
• Limited exceptions cover emergency 999 or 112 calls when stopping is unsafe, safe parking, contactless payments when not moving, and remote parking functions.
• Mounted or voice-controlled navigation is generally permitted if set up before driving, but distraction can still lead to careless-driving charges and new drivers risk licence revocation at six points.