Virginia Cell Phone Laws

Virginia - 2010 Update

Virginia Senate Bill 517 - Virginia Senate Passes Cell Phone Ban - Hands Free Device OK

The State of Virginia Senate has passed Senate Bill 517.

If the bill were to become law, it would prohibit talking on a Cell Phone while operating a motor vehicle unless you have a Hands Free Device.

Violators of the new law would be subject to a $20 fine for a first offense and $50 for a second offense.

If the bill is signed by the Governor fines would go up to $50 and $200 starting July 1, 2011.

The bill will now move to the House for consideration.

More Virginia Cell-Phone Driving Information

The State of Virginia does have a cell-phone law. The law, based on legislation from Senate Bill 1039 was signed by the Governor on 3/23/07. The new law prohibits holders of a learners permit and drivers under the age of 18 from using a mobile cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

This cell phone law is a secondary offense, meaning the driver must be pulled over for a primary offense such as speeding or running a red light before being ticketed for the cell-phone violation. This law does not provide exceptions for hands-free devices. Like many cell phone laws across the United States there are exceptions for emergency situations and you can use your cell phone if the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.

One law that was not enacted in 2006 was Senate Bill 16. The bill prohibited the use of hand-held phones while operating a motor vehicle. It also required that information about cell phone involvement be included in crash statistics. If the bill had passed it would have required a study about the impact of cell-phone use on traffic safety.