Massachusetts Truck Driver Phone Law
The federal hand-held ban already covers you in Massachusetts — no holding, no reaching, even at a light (49 CFR 392.82). The state's Hands-Free Law bans holding any device and texting for every driver as a primary offense (ch. 90, §13B). Fines climb $100, $250, then $500; a second offense adds a required program, and a third becomes a surchargeable insurance hit.
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).
Massachusetts’s rule for all drivers
The federal hand-held ban already covers you in Massachusetts — no holding, no reaching, even at a light (49 CFR 392.82). The state's Hands-Free Law bans holding any device and texting for every driver as a primary offense (ch. 90, §13B). Fines climb $100, $250, then $500; a second offense adds a required program, and a third becomes a surchargeable insurance hit.
- Hand-held: Hand-held ban — all drivers
- Texting: Massachusetts' Hands-Free Law bans holding or supporting any phone and all texting for every driver (ch. 90, §13B), enforced as a primary offense.
- Fine: $100 first offense, $250 second, $500 third or later. A second and later offense requires a distracted-driving program; a third or later is a surchargeable insurance incident. Primary enforcement.
- Points: No RMV surcharge for a first or second offense; a third or later is a surchargeable insurance incident (Massachusetts uses no traditional point system). Federal CSA is the real cost for you: two hand-held convictions in 3 years disqualify your CDL for 60 days.
Massachusetts Truck Phone Law FAQ
Can truck drivers use a phone in Massachusetts?
What is the phone fine in Massachusetts?
Is texting while driving illegal in Massachusetts?
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://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section13b. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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