DMVZoneBlogSince 2023, Ohio police can stop you just for holding a phone. A first ticket is $150 and 2 points, a second is $250 and 3, and a third is up to $500, 4 points and a possible 90-day suspension.
Holding or using a phone while driving is a primary offense in Ohio. A first violation is $150 and 2 points, a second is $250 and 3 points, and a third is up to $500, 4 points and a possible 90-day suspension. Fines double in work zones. Adults may use hands-free features; drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all.
Ohio's law took effect April 4, 2023, with six months of warnings. Since October 5, 2023, officers have written tickets. The state says traffic deaths fell 11% in the two years after the law started, about 280 fewer deaths than the two years before.
| Action | Adults 18+ | Under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-free call over Bluetooth | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Holding the phone to your ear on a call started with one tap | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Starting GPS or music with one tap or swipe | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Typing, texting, scrolling or watching video | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Using the phone while lawfully parked | Allowed | Allowed |
| Calling 911 or police in an emergency | Allowed | Allowed |
Set up navigation and audio before you leave. After that, one tap to start or stop is the limit.
What is the fine for a first Ohio distracted driving ticket?
Answer: C. A first violation is $150 and 2 points.
A 17-year-old wants to take a Bluetooth call while driving. Is it legal in Ohio?
Answer: B. Drivers under 18 cannot use a phone at all, even hands-free.
What happens to phone fines in an Ohio work zone?
Answer: B. Fines are doubled in work zones.
Yes. Since the 2023 law, it is a primary offense.
No. It is possible on a third or later violation, at the court's discretion.
Holding the phone while stopped at a traffic light is listed among the exceptions. Put it down before traffic moves.
Checked against these pages on November 12, 2026. Laws change, so open the source before you rely on a number.
Rules and fees change. Always confirm the details with the official Ohio DMV or motor vehicle agency before you act. DMVZone practice questions are written to teach the rules and are not copies of the real test.
On Ohio roads with fewer than four lanes, all traffic stops for a school bus. Passing one means a court date, a fine of up to $500, 2 points and a possible one-year suspension. House Bill 3 would raise fines to $250 to $1,000.
Most Ohio moving violations are 2 points, speeding 30 mph or more over is 4, and OVI or fleeing police is 6. At 6 points the BMV sends a warning; at 12 in two years you lose your license for six months.
Since October 7, 2026, House Bill 492 requires drivers and passengers in Ohio to give their name, address and date of birth when an officer suspects a traffic violation. Refusing is a misdemeanor with up to 30 days in jail.