NSW Police continue to enforce illegal mobile phone use and issue infringements as part of regular operations.

From 1 March 2020 mobile phone detection cameras will be enforcing illegal use of mobile phones while driving or riding. The penalty for offending drivers is five demerit points and a $349 fine ($464 in a school zone). The penalty increases to 10 demerit points during double-demerit periods.

The mobile phone detection camera program includes fixed and transportable cameras that operate at locations across the network. Coupled with ongoing enforcement by NSW Police, these cameras target illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime.

Tip: Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Consider the traffic conditions before using your phone.

This also includes using a mobile phone as a driver’s aid (e.g. navigation) if the phone is secured in a cradle.

Full licence holders and bicycle riders are permitted to use particular mobile phone functions. These include making or answering a phone call, or playing audio, if the phone:

Tip: Avoid temptation and keep your phone in your bag or glovebox.

Illegal mobile phone use will result in heavy penalties including demerit points and fines, which could mean the loss of your licence.

Restricted licences holders including learner, P1 and P2 drivers and riders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding. This includes use of hands-free and Bluetooth functions.

It’s illegal to access your Digital Driver Licence when driving, including when stationary, unless you’re asked to do so by a police officer. Penalties apply.

It is also illegal to hold and use a mobile phone at any time while driving or riding.

All other functions including video calling, texting, emailing, social media, web browsing and photography are prohibited unless parked.

FAQs

For more information on mobile phone rules, select your licence type to find out what rules apply to you.

Restricted licence holders - P1, P2 and Learners (drivers and motorcyclists)

1. Can use my phone to make a call, use GPS or listen to music?

No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.

This applies regardless of whether the phone in use is being handled, resting on any part of the body, secured in a cradle or is being used hands-free (i.e. via Bluetooth). None of these uses are permitted.

2. Can I use my phone to make a call, use GPS or listen to music if it’s in a cradle?

No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.

This applies regardless of whether the phone in use is being handled, resting on any part of the body, secured in a cradle or is being used hands-free (i.e. via Bluetooth). None of these uses are permitted.

3. Can I use my mobile phone if it is on loudspeaker and in my lap?

No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding.

This applies regardless of whether the phone in use is being handled, resting on any part of the body, secured in a cradle or is being used hands-free (i.e. via Bluetooth). None of these uses are permitted.

4. Can I use my phone to text?

No. Restricted licence holders are not permitted to use their phone at all while driving or riding, including any texting functions.

5. What do I need to do to use my phone?

If you would like to use your phone for any function – including calling, texting, emailing, playing audio or using social media - your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic.

6. Do I need to be parked with my ignition off to use my phone?

To use a mobile phone, you must be parked out of the line of traffic. However, the ignition does not need to be turned off.

7. If I have a Digital Driver Licence and I’m pulled over by NSW Police, when is it OK to pick up my phone to show my licence?

You can only use your mobile phone to access your Digital Driver Licence after being requested to do so by a police officer. It’s illegal to touch your phone before an authorised officer instructs you to do so. For more information on the Digital Driver Licence, please visit the Service NSW website.

8. Am I able to access my mobile phone wallet functions if my vehicle is stationary and off the road?

Yes, if you are required to use a mobile phone wallet function to make a transaction, show a coupon or access an area, then you may do so providing your vehicle is stationary and off the road, such as in a carpark, driveway or drive-thru.

9. Can I use a GPS device that is not a phone?

Yes. A GPS device that is not a mobile phone is permitted for all drivers, as long as the device is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and does not obscure the driver’s view of the road.

10. Will the introduction of mobile phone detection cameras affect me?

Yes, restricted licences holders are not permitted to use their phone while driving or riding. Mobile phone detection cameras enforce illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime across the NSW road network.

11. Was there a warning period for the start of the mobile phone detection camera program?

Warning letters were issued for the first three months (from 1 December, 2019), during which time drivers caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera were issued with a warning letter to encourage them to change their behaviour.

From 1 March 2020 fines and demerit point penalties will be issued to all drivers who are caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera.

Please note NSW Police provide ongoing police enforcement of illegal mobile phone use.

12. How will I know if I’ve been caught using my phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera?

Fines and demerit point penalties will be issued to all drivers who are caught using their mobile phone illgally by a mobile phone detection camera.

13. What is the penalty for being caught for illegal phone use?

The fine for illegal mobile phone use is $349, or $464 if detected in a school zone. There is a five demerit point penalty for illegal mobile phone use, which increases to 10 demerit points during double demerit periods.

Learner and provisional P1 licence holders will exceed their demerit point threshold and lose their licence if caught illegally using their mobile phone. All learner and provisional P1 and P2 licence holders will exceed their demerit point threshold and lose their licence if they are caught using a mobile phone during a double demerit period.

These penalties apply to both camera-detected offences and infringements issued by NSW Police.

14. Do double demerits apply for mobile phone offences detected by a mobile phone detection camera?

Yes, double demerits apply to mobile phone offences during double demerit periods, during which the penalty increases to 10 demerit points.

Unrestricted licence holders (drivers and motorcyclists) and bicycle riders

1. Can I hold and use my phone?

No. It’s illegal to hold and use your phone while stationary at traffic lights or stuck in traffic.

2. Can I touch my phone if it is in a cradle?

If your phone is secured in a cradle, you can only touch your phone:

To make or receive a phone call;

For audio playing functions; or

For using a driver’s aid (such as navigation).

Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Consider the traffic conditions before using your phone.

3. Can I dial a number if my mobile phone is in a cradle?

Yes. You can use a mobile phone to make or receive audio phone calls if it is secured in a mounting (i.e. cradle) fixed to the vehicle.

Using a mobile phone legally can still be distracting. Please consider if the call is urgent and the traffic conditions before using your phone.

4. What do I need to do to use other functions of my mobile phone (e.g. texting, emailing, social media)?

If you would like to use your phone for any of these functions, your vehicle must be parked out of the line of traffic.

5. Do I need to be parked with my ignition off to use my phone?

To use a mobile phone, you must be parked out of the line of traffic. However, the ignition does not need to be turned off.

6. If I have a Digital Driver Licence and I’m pulled over by NSW Police, when is it OK to pick up my phone to show my licence?

You can only handle and use your mobile phone to access your Digital Driver Licence after being requested to do so by a police officer. It’s illegal to touch your phone before a police officer instructs you to do so. For more information on the Digital Driver Licence, please visit the Service NSW website.

7. Am I able to access my mobile phone wallet functions if my vehicle is stationary and off the road?

Yes, if you are required to use a mobile phone wallet function to make a transaction, show a coupon or access an area, then you may do so providing your vehicle is stationary and off the road, such as in a carpark, driveway or drive thru.

8. Can I have my mobile phone in my pocket if I’m using Bluetooth to make or receive a call?

Yes. You can use a mobile phone to make or receive calls if it is in your pocket and it does not require you to touch the phone in any way.

9. I’m a ride share driver. Can I use the dispatch system app on my phone if it’s mounted in a cradle?

Yes. You can use a mobile phone as a dispatch system as long as it is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and doesn’t obscure your view of the road.

10. Can I use a GPS device that is not a phone?

Yes. A GPS device that is not a mobile phone is permitted for all drivers, as long as the device is secured in a mounting fixed to the vehicle and does not obscure the driver’s view of the road.

11. Where can I attach a cradle to my vehicle?

The cradle (also known as a mounting) must be fixed to the vehicle in a manner intended by the manufacturer. It must not obscure your view of the road (in front and to each side). Find more information in our Windscreen mounted phones and GPS fact sheet (PDF, 56Kb).

12. Will the introduction of mobile phone detection cameras affect me?

Yes, unrestricted licence holders are not permitted to hold and use their phone while driving or riding.

Mobile phone detection cameras enforce illegal mobile phone use anywhere, anytime across the NSW road network.

13. Was there a warning period for the start of the mobile phone detection camera program?

Warning letters were issued for the first three months (from 1 December, 2019), during which time drivers caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera were issued with a warning letter to encourage them to change their behaviour.

From 1 March 2020 fines and demerit point penalties will be issued to all drivers who are caught using their phone illegally by a mobile phone detection camera.

Please note NSW Police provide ongoing police enforcement of illegal mobile phone use.

14. What is the penalty for being caught for illegal mobile phone use?

The fine for illegal mobile phone use is $349, or $464 if detected in a school zone. There is a five demerit point penalty for illegal mobile phone use, which increases to 10 demerit points during double demerit periods.

These fines and demerit point penalties apply to both camera-detected offences and infringements issued by NSW Police.

15. Do double demerits apply for mobile phone offences detected by a mobile phone detection camera?

Yes, double demerits apply to mobile phone offences during double demerit periods, during which the penalty increases to 10 demerit points.