Maine Truck Driver Phone Law
The federal hand-held ban rides with your CDL in Maine — no holding, dialing, or reaching, even stopped at a light (49 CFR 392.82). Maine bans holding or interacting with any hand-held phone or device, texting included, for every driver as a primary offense (§2121). A first ticket is $50, $250 for a repeat, and it applies even when you are stopped in traffic or at a stop sign.
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).
Maine’s rule for all drivers
The federal hand-held ban rides with your CDL in Maine — no holding, dialing, or reaching, even stopped at a light (49 CFR 392.82). Maine bans holding or interacting with any hand-held phone or device, texting included, for every driver as a primary offense (§2121). A first ticket is $50, $250 for a repeat, and it applies even when you are stopped in traffic or at a stop sign.
- Hand-held: Hand-held ban — all drivers
- Texting: Maine bans holding or interacting with a hand-held phone or device, texting included, for every driver (§2121), enforced as a primary offense.
- Fine: $50 for a first offense, $250 for a second or subsequent. Traffic infraction, primary enforcement.
- Points: Maine's §2121 hand-held violation is a fine-only traffic infraction under the statute. Your federal exposure is the sharper one: two hand-held convictions in 3 years disqualify your CDL for 60 days, three for 120 days.
Maine Truck Phone Law FAQ
Can truck drivers use a phone in Maine?
What is the phone fine in Maine?
Is texting while driving illegal in Maine?
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 Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it.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://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-a/title29-Asec2121.html. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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