Hawaii Truck Driver Phone Law
The federal hand-held ban rides with your CDL in Hawaii (49 CFR 392.82) — no holding, no reaching. Hawaii bans holding any mobile device for every driver (HRS §291C-137), a primary offense. A standard violation costs $300; in a school zone or construction area it's $400. Only a 911 emergency call is exempt. Hands-free mounted use is your only legal option, state and federal alike.
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).
Hawaii’s rule for all drivers
The federal hand-held ban rides with your CDL in Hawaii (49 CFR 392.82) — no holding, no reaching. Hawaii bans holding any mobile device for every driver (HRS §291C-137), a primary offense. A standard violation costs $300; in a school zone or construction area it's $400. Only a 911 emergency call is exempt. Hands-free mounted use is your only legal option, state and federal alike.
- Hand-held: Hand-held ban — all drivers
- Texting: Texting banned for all drivers (HRS §291C-137); primary enforcement.
- Fine: $300 for a standard violation; $400 in a school zone or construction area (as defined in §291C-104). Only a 911 emergency call is an affirmative defense.
- Points: No statewide driver point system; the fine is fixed by statute and reports to your abstract. Federal CSA: two 392.82 convictions in 3 years disqualify the CDL for 60 days, three or more for 120 days.
Hawaii Truck Phone Law FAQ
Can truck drivers use a phone in Hawaii?
What is the phone fine in Hawaii?
Is texting while driving illegal in Hawaii?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/vol05_ch0261-0319/HRS0291C/HRS_0291C-0137.htm. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
More for Hawaii
Check Hawaii before you roll
Live weather, closures, and hazards on one map. Free, no account.
Open Live Map →