Alaska Truck Driver Phone Law
Don't let Alaska's soft rule fool you. Federal 49 CFR 392.82 still bars you from holding a phone anywhere in the state, citable at any inspection. For the general public Alaska bans only texting and screen use, not hand-held voice calls (AS 28.35.161), enforced as a primary offense. A first texting violation is a $500-max infraction; cause injury and it becomes a felony. That hand-held call legal for the four-wheeler is still a federal violation for you.
The federal ban applies here first
Federal law rides with your CDL in every state. FMCSA 49 CFR 392.82 bans all hand-held phone use while driving a CMV: no holding it to talk, no dialing more than a single button, no reaching for the phone out of your belted seat. A separate rule (49 CFR 392.80) bans texting and manual data entry. Only hands-free counts as compliant (mounted or in close reach, one-touch or voice, no reaching), and the only exception is calling 911. "Driving" includes sitting at a red light or stuck in traffic; you are clear only once fully off the road and stopped. Penalties run up to $2,750 for the driver and $11,000 for the carrier. It is a CSA serious violation: two convictions in any 3-year period disqualify your CDL for 60 days, three or more for 120 days (49 CFR 383.51).
Alaska’s rule for all drivers
Don't let Alaska's soft rule fool you. Federal 49 CFR 392.82 still bars you from holding a phone anywhere in the state, citable at any inspection. For the general public Alaska bans only texting and screen use, not hand-held voice calls (AS 28.35.161), enforced as a primary offense. A first texting violation is a $500-max infraction; cause injury and it becomes a felony. That hand-held call legal for the four-wheeler is still a federal violation for you.
- Hand-held: Texting ban only
- Texting: Texting and screen use banned for all drivers (AS 28.35.161); primary enforcement. Hand-held voice calls are NOT banned for adults under state law — but federal 392.82 still bans them for you.
- Fine: A first texting/screen offense with no injury is a non-criminal violation, up to $500 (2 points on your record). It escalates if driving causes harm: class C felony for physical injury, class B felony for serious injury, class A felony for a death.
- Points: 2 points on your Alaska driving record for a texting violation. Federal CSA: two 392.82 hand-held convictions in 3 years disqualify the CDL for 60 days, three or more for 120 days — even though Alaska allows hand-held voice calls for the general public.
Alaska Truck Phone Law FAQ
Can truck drivers use a phone in Alaska?
What is the phone fine in Alaska?
Is texting while driving illegal in Alaska?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://codes.findlaw.com/ak/title-28-motor-vehicles/ak-st-sect-28-35-161/. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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