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Georgia driving lesson · Work Zones and Other Traffic Laws

Hands-free law and distracted driving

A 2-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Work Zones and Other Traffic Laws
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
25, 26

Distracted driving is doing another activity while you drive. It pulls your attention from the road and raises your crash risk. Georgia's Hands-Free Law (HB 673) says you may not hold or support a phone for any reason while driving.

3,142

People killed on U.S. roads in 2019 because of distracted drivers (NHTSA)

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Common distractions:

  • Talking on a cell phone or texting
  • Reading
  • Eating or grooming
  • Using a navigation device
  • Adjusting the stereo system
  • Passengers and pets
Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

Georgia law requires drivers to exercise due care and prohibits any action that distracts the driver from safely operating the vehicle.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

While driving on any Georgia highway, you may not:

  • Hold or support, with any part of your body, a phone or stand-alone electronic device
  • Write, send or read any text-based message: texts, instant messages, email or internet data
  • Watch, record or broadcast a video or movie
Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

You may use a phone only with headphones, a wireless device, a phone holder or a mounted device.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Hands-Free Law penalties

Hands-Free Law penalties
ConvictionPointsFine
1st1Not more than $50
2nd2Not more than $100
3rd or more3Increases with each conviction
Handbook p. 26 ↗

Put it into practice

Your phone slides off the seat while you're driving and you want the map. Don't pick it up and hold it. Next time, put it in a holder or mount before you start.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Georgia's Hands-Free Law prohibits drivers from doing what with a phone?
  1. Holding or supporting it with any body part
  2. Using it with a dashboard mount
  3. Talking through a wireless headset
  4. Using it for navigation in a holder

Answer: Holding or supporting it with any body part

The Hands-Free Law bans holding or supporting a wireless device with any part of the body while driving.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
What is the penalty for a first conviction of Georgia's Hands-Free Law?
  1. No points, fine of $200.00
  2. 3 points and a fine of $150.00
  3. 2 points and a fine of $100.00
  4. 1 point and up to a $50 fine

Answer: 1 point and up to a $50 fine

A first Hands-Free Law conviction carries 1 point and a fine of not more than $50.00.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
What is the penalty for a second conviction of Georgia's Hands-Free Law?
  1. 4 points and a $200 fine
  2. 1 point and a $50 fine, same as the first offense
  3. 3 points and a $150 fine
  4. 2 points and a fine of not more than $100.00

Answer: 2 points and a fine of not more than $100.00

A second Hands-Free Law conviction carries 2 points and a fine of not more than $100.00.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
Which of these is prohibited under Georgia's Hands-Free Law while driving?
  1. Texting or emailing
  2. Using a dashboard-mounted GPS display
  3. Listening to the radio
  4. Talking to a passenger in the vehicle

Answer: Texting or emailing

The Hands-Free Law prohibits writing, sending, or reading text-based communications like texts or emails while driving.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
How does the penalty for a first Hands-Free Law conviction compare to a second conviction?
  1. First: 2 points and up to $100; Second: 1 point and up to $50
  2. First: 1 point and up to $50; Second: 2 points and up to $100
  3. First: no points, $25 fine; Second: 1 point, $50 fine
  4. Both convictions carry the same 1 point and $50 fine

Answer: First: 1 point and up to $50; Second: 2 points and up to $100

The penalty increases from 1 point/$50 max on a first conviction to 2 points/$100 max on a second conviction.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
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