Missouri Truck Driver Phone Law
Federal 392.82 already bans you from holding a phone in Missouri. The state was the last to act, but the CDL floor was always there. Missouri's Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law (RSMo §304.822) now bans hand-held use for everyone, though it's secondary enforcement for regular drivers, cited only alongside another stop. Not for you: it's primary for CMV operators and under-21 drivers. Fines run $150, $250, then $500, and $500 flat in a work or school zone.
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).
Missouri’s rule for all drivers
Federal 392.82 already bans you from holding a phone in Missouri. The state was the last to act, but the CDL floor was always there. Missouri's Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law (RSMo §304.822) now bans hand-held use for everyone, though it's secondary enforcement for regular drivers, cited only alongside another stop. Not for you: it's primary for CMV operators and under-21 drivers. Fines run $150, $250, then $500, and $500 flat in a work or school zone.
- Hand-held: Hand-held ban — all drivers
- Texting: Hand-held use banned for all drivers (RSMo §304.822), but SECONDARY enforcement for regular drivers — an officer needs another violation to stop them. It is PRIMARY enforcement for CMV operators and drivers under 21, so you can be stopped for phone use alone.
- Fine: $150 first, $250 second, $500 third within any 24-month period; $500 flat in a work or school zone. Citations enforced since Jan 1, 2025.
- Points: Missouri's hands-free law is fine-driven and does not stack license points for most drivers. For you it's still primary enforcement and, more importantly, a federal CSA serious violation charged against you and your carrier.
Missouri Truck Phone Law FAQ
Can truck drivers use a phone in Missouri?
What is the phone fine in Missouri?
Is texting while driving illegal in Missouri?
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://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=304.822. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
More for Missouri
Check Missouri before you roll
Live weather, closures, and hazards on one map. Free, no account.
Open Live Map →