Practice phone rules and other distractions: 19 questions based on the California Driver's Handbook, 5 of them on California's own rules.
A single swipe or touch
Use only the single swipe or touch feature on a mounted phone.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued)
To call for emergency assistance
Emergency assistance calls are the exception to the ban for minors.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued)
No, it is against the law
The ban covers minors using a cell phone or wireless device to answer calls and to send or answer texts.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued)
No, handheld use is illegal
Adult drivers should use a phone only in hands-free mode, and only when necessary.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued)
On the dashboard or center console
The windshield is also allowed, as long as the phone doesn't block your view of the road.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued)
No, wait until you are safely parked
Do not send or read messages while driving. Pull safely off the road first.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9, Texting While Driving, p. 54; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, s. 316.305, Florida Statutes; New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 8, Defensive Driving; Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 4, Traffic Laws: Distracted Driving (p. 22); Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law; Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Ohio Revised Code 4511.204; North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4, Your Driving: Distracted Driving (pp. 41-42); What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 4, Cellular Telephones, p. 85; Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24); Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 3, 3.4 Avoiding Distracted Driving: Washington's distracted driving laws; Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Chapter 2, p. 39; Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 2, Safe Driving Practices: Distractions (p. 24); Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Distracted Driving (p. iv); Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Cell phones, p. 40; Chapter 6, Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, p. 79; Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 4, The Driver, Texting While Driving, PDF p. 34; Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 32:59, Subsection B(1) and B(2)(b); Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31; South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36); Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Careless/Reckless Driving, Distracted Driving, printed p. 24 (PDF p. 27); Oregon Driver Manual 2026-2027, Safe & Responsible Driving, Sample Test Questions, p. 87 (PDF p. 95); Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 11, Car Phone Safety, p. 61; Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 2, Before You Get Behind the Wheel, Connecticut Cell Phone Laws, p. 13; Iowa Code 2026, §321.276, §321.276(2); Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Vol. 1, Ed. 10, October 2026), The Driver's License, Class D License, PDF p. 16; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Cellphone Use, PDF p. 23; West Virginia Code §17C-14-15, W. Va. Code §17C-14-15(e)(2); 21 Del. C. § 4176C, 21 Del. C. § 4176C(a); Montana Driver Manual (Form 25-0100, revised April 2024), Chapter 5, Don't Be a Distracted Driver, PDF p. 59; Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, Title 29-A, §2119, sub-§2; South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 19; DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual (published Dec. 2023), Driver Manual, p. 26; RSA 265:79-c, RSA 265:79-c, paragraph I(a); 23 V.S.A. § 1099, 23 V.S.A. § 1099(b); Wyoming Statutes Title 31, W.S. 31-5-237(a), W.S. 31-5-237(a); AS 28.35.161, Alaska Statutes AS 28.35.161
No, you need to hear horns and sirens
Covering both ears blocks warning sounds such as sirens and horns, so it is not allowed while driving.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 1, Introduction to Driving: Hearing; Washington Driver Guide, Hearing, PDF p. 70; Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Driver Factors: Distractions; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Before You Drive: Equipment Not Permitted, PDF p. 47; Ohio Revised Code, Section 4511.84, Earphones or earplugs on operator prohibited; Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6, Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, p. 79; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Emotional Distractions, PDF p. 24; Montana Driver Manual (Form 25-0100, revised April 2024), Chapter 5, Seeing Well, PDF p. 61; Maine Driver's License Manual (Rev 4/24), Section 3, Vision and Hearing (no headsets or ear buds), PDF p. 23; D.C. Official Code § 50, D.C. Official Code § 50-1731.04(c)
Changing the music volume
Changing the music, like looking at a phone, takes your attention away from driving.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9, Distracted Driving, p. 54; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Chapter 4, Before You Drive: You the Driver: Distracted Driving (p. 34); Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Driver Factors: Driving Distractions; Georgia Drivers' Manual, Section 5: Traffic Laws, Distracted Driving; North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4, Your Driving: Distracted Driving (pp. 41-42); What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 5, Distractions, p. 92; Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24); Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 3, 3.4 Avoiding Distracted Driving; Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, p. 119; Indiana Driver's Manual, Appendix B, Tips for Teen Drivers, p. 71; Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 6.C, p. 34; Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 94; Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Distracted Driving (p. iv); Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6, Distractions inside the vehicle, p. 78; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8, Driving Hazards and Emergencies, Distracted Driving (adjusting the radio, changing the station), PDF p. 115; Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31; Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Careless/Reckless Driving, Distracted Driving, printed p. 24 (PDF p. 27); Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 11, Car Phone Safety, p. 61; Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Driving Behaviors, Driver Distractions, p. 27; Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 3, 3.7 Eliminating Distractions, p. 36; Chapter 4, 4.11 Defensive Driving, item 7, p. 47; Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Vol. 1, Ed. 10, October 2026), Chapter 4, Safe Driving, What is Distracted Driving?, PDF p. 57; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Avoiding Distractions, PDF p. 23; Emotional Distractions, PDF p. 24; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 21; Idaho Driver's Handbook, Things That Can Distract Your Attention, PDF p. 91; Nebraska Driver's Manual, Section 5E-1, Turning Dials Can Turn Your Head, PDF p. 72; Hawaii Driver's Manual, Chapter X, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 58; Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), Section Two, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 53; Montana Driver Manual (Form 25-0100, revised April 2024), Chapter 5, Don't Be a Distracted Driver, PDF p. 59; Maine Driver's License Manual (Rev 4/24), Section 3, Driver Distractions (manual distraction: tuning the radio), PDF p. 26; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Distracted Driving, PDF p. 18; South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 19; DC DMV Automobile Driver Manual (published Dec. 2023), Driver Manual, p. 5
Calling for help in an emergency
Emergency calls are the usual exception to these bans.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License to Drive, p. 3; Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 3, Drivers Under Age 21; Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Ohio Revised Code 4511.205; North Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter 4, Your Driving: Distracted Driving (pp. 41-42); What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24; Virginia DMV: Teen Driving Restrictions, Cellular Telephone/Wireless Telecommunications Device Restrictions; Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 1, 1.8 Intermediate driver license; Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 2, Safe Driving Practices: Distractions (p. 24); Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 6, Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, p. 79; Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Safe Driving Tips, Using a cell phone while driving, printed p. 18 (PDF p. 21); Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 11, Pay Attention – Be Alert, p. 61; Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 2, Before You Get Behind the Wheel, Connecticut Cell Phone Laws, p. 13; Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Vol. 1, Ed. 10, October 2026), Chapter 4, Safe Driving, Distracted Driving Law, PDF p. 58; D.C. Official Code § 50, D.C. Official Code § 50-1731.05(b); RSA 265:79-c, RSA 265:79-c, paragraph IV; 23 V.S.A. § 1095a, 23 V.S.A. § 1095a(c)
No, that is not allowed
Hand-held phone use is barred in active school zones.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5, Signals, Signs, and Markers, p. 31; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Chapter 3, Your Driving Privilege (p. 30); Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 9, Roadway Signs; Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law; Georgia Drivers' Manual, Section 5: Traffic Laws, Texting & Cell Phones; What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 4, Cellular Telephones, p. 85; Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24); Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 3, 3.4 Avoiding Distracted Driving: Washington's distracted driving laws; Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Section 2, Safe Driving Practices: Distractions (p. 24); Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 32:59, Subsections B(1), B(2)(a) and (g), and D(2) (school zone violations are a primary offense); Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Safe Driving Tips, Using a cell phone while driving, printed p. 18 (PDF p. 21); Oregon Revised Statutes 811.507, ORS 811.507(2); Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 2, Before You Get Behind the Wheel, Connecticut Cell Phone Laws, p. 13; NRS 484B.165, NRS 484B.165(1)(b), (5); Iowa Code 2026, §321.276, §321.276(2); Idaho Code, Idaho Code 49-1401A(2) (hand-held use banned everywhere while driving); West Virginia Code §17C-14-15, W. Va. Code §17C-14-15(e)(1); 21 Del. C. § 4176C, 21 Del. C. § 4176C(a); Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, Title 29-A, §2121, sub-§1; D.C. Official Code § 50, D.C. Official Code § 50-1731.04(a); RSA 265:79-c, RSA 265:79-c, paragraph I(a); 23 V.S.A. § 1095b, 23 V.S.A. § 1095b(b)(1)
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the California Driver's Handbook (2025 edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the California DMV, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.