Minnesota Truck Driver Phone Law
You are under the federal hand-held ban in Minnesota, and here the state matches it. Minnesota's hands-free law bans hand-held use for every driver as a primary offense (Minn. Stat. 169.475), so any driver gets stopped for just holding the phone. First offense is a $50 petty misdemeanor (about $135 with surcharges), $275 for repeats. Federal and state law point the same way: mount it, one touch or voice only, no holding.
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).
Minnesota’s rule for all drivers
You are under the federal hand-held ban in Minnesota, and here the state matches it. Minnesota's hands-free law bans hand-held use for every driver as a primary offense (Minn. Stat. 169.475), so any driver gets stopped for just holding the phone. First offense is a $50 petty misdemeanor (about $135 with surcharges), $275 for repeats. Federal and state law point the same way: mount it, one touch or voice only, no holding.
- Hand-held: Hand-held ban — all drivers
- Texting: Hand-held use, including texting, banned for all drivers, primary enforcement (Minn. Stat. 169.475, effective Aug. 1, 2019). State law here is as strict as the federal floor.
- Fine: $50 first offense (about $135 with surcharges), $275 for repeats; petty misdemeanor (Minn. Stat. 169.475).
- Points: Minnesota uses no driver point system, so the state hit is the petty-misdemeanor fine on your record. Federally it is a CSA serious violation: two in 3 years disqualify your CDL for 60 days, three for 120 (49 CFR 383.51).
Minnesota Truck Phone Law FAQ
Can truck drivers use a phone in Minnesota?
What is the phone fine in Minnesota?
Is texting while driving illegal in Minnesota?
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.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/169.475. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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