It is now against the law for drivers to use a hand-held mobile phone, or similar device, while driving. It applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, but does not apply to bicycles.

Here's some advice to keep you on the right side of the law.

The law
It's an offence to "cause or permit" a driver to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, or to use a hand-held mobile phone while supervising a driver who only has a provisional licence. A person is "driving" if the vehicle is stationary but the engine is running.

The penalty

• A fixed penalty of £30 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the offender goes to court.
• £2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles or passenger carrying vehicles with 9 or more passenger seats.
• 3 penalty points on the driver's licence (this will be put in place as soon as "a suitable legislative opportunity arises").

The definition

• A hand-held phone is defined as "a device, other than a two-way radio, which performs an interactive communication function by transmitting and receiving data". It states that a "mobile telephone or other device is to be treated as hand-held if it is, or must be, held at some point during the course of making or receiving a call or performing any other interactive communication function".

"Interactive communication function" includes:

• Sending or receiving oral or written messages.
• Sending or receiving facsimile documents.
• Sending or receiving still or moving images.
• Providing access to the internet.

There are two exemptions:

• 2-way "press to talk" radios, as used by the emergency services and taxi drivers.
• Using a hand-held phone for a genuine emergency call to 999 or 112, if it would be unsafe for the driver to stop.

Related Links:

• Mobile Phone Law