Michigan Phones & Distraction practice test

Practice phone rules and other distractions: 18 questions based on the What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), 8 of them on Michigan's own rules.

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Key Michigan facts: Phones & Distraction

Drivers can't hold or use a phone or tablet to call, text, watch or record video, or use social media. Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24
A first offense for hand-held phone use carries a $100 fine. Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24
Later hand-held phone violations carry a $250 fine. Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24
Kelsey's Law bars teens with a Level 1 or Level 2 license from non-emergency phone calls. Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24
Teens with a Level 3 license and other drivers may use a device in hands-free mode within the law's limits. Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

Sample Phones & Distraction questions

Which Michigan teen drivers may use a phone hands-free for a non-emergency call?

No teen drivers at any level
Those with a Level 3 License
Those with a Level 1 License
Those with a Level 2 License

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Those with a Level 3 License

Level 3 teens follow the general phone law for all drivers, which allows hands-free use within limits.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

Which device use is allowed for drivers in Michigan?

A dash cam that records continuously
Recording a video by holding your phone
Posting a video to social media
Watching a recorded video on your phone

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A dash cam that records continuously

A device used specifically to record or broadcast video continuously, inside or outside the vehicle, is exempt.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

What is the fine for a first offense of hand-held phone use while driving in Michigan?

$1,000
$100
$25
$500

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$100

The fine rises to $250 for later violations.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24

Which of these is banned for a driver on a Michigan public road?

Leaving your phone off in a bag
Asking a passenger to read a message
Parking first to read a message
Watching a video on a phone you hold

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Watching a video on a phone you hold

The law covers calls, text messages, video and social media on a device you hold or use while driving.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

What does Michigan's Kelsey's Law ban for teens with a Level 1 or Level 2 License?

All driving after 8 p.m.
Any passengers in the vehicle
Non-emergency phone calls while driving
Listening to the radio while driving

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Non-emergency phone calls while driving

Under Kelsey's Law, these teens can't use a phone while driving except in an emergency.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

What is the fine for a second or later violation of Michigan's hand-held phone law?

$100
$250
$1,000
$50

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$250

A first offense is $100, and later ones are $250.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24

In hands-free mode in Michigan, how much may you use your hands on the device?

Any number of taps to type a text
Holding the phone to your ear
Scrolling through messages
A single press, tap or swipe

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A single press, tap or swipe

A single button press, tap or swipe is the limit, unless you use a screen built into the vehicle's systems.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

May a Michigan driver use a phone while driving to report a suspected drunk driver?

Yes, it is an allowed emergency use
Only if a crash has happened
No, drivers must pull over first
Only for licensed drivers over 21

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Yes, it is an allowed emergency use

Drivers, including all teens, may call or text 911 to report a reckless driver or one who appears impaired.

Source: What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133, Rev. 10/2025), Chapter 4, Cell phone use prohibited for all drivers, p. 24

You must return an important phone call while driving. What should you do?

Pull safely off the road first
Call at the next red light
Call with one hand on the wheel

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Pull safely off the road first

Find a safe spot off the road before you phone anyone back.

Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9, Texting While Driving, p. 54; 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; 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, Aggressive Driving/Road Rage (note), p. 91; Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39), Section 3, Safe Driving: Distracted Driving (p. 24); Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Chapter 2, p. 40; Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 6.C, p. 35; Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook 2026, Section 9.B Distracted Driving, p. 49; 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); Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Three, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 31; South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, p. 3-4 (PDF p. 35); 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 2, Before You Get Behind the Wheel, Connecticut Cell Phone Laws, p. 13; Utah Driver Handbook, Section 11, Distractions and Driving Challenges, PDF p. 66; Iowa Code 2026, §321.276, §321.276(2); Idaho Driver's Handbook, Cell Phones, PDF p. 93; Hawaii Driver's Manual, Chapter X, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 59; Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), Section Five, Seeing Well, PDF p. 116; 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, Using a Cellular Telephone in Your Vehicle (pull off the road), PDF p. 27; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Safe Driving on the Highway, PDF p. 36; D.C. Official Code § 50, D.C. Official Code § 50-1731.04(b); RSA 265:79-c, RSA 265:79-c, paragraph I(b); Vermont Driver's Manual (VN-007, 2025 edition), Ch. 7, Cell Phones, PDF p. 56; Wyoming Driver License Manual: Rules of the Road (August 2021), PDF p. 89; Alaska Driver Manual (REV. 10/2025), Distracted driving, PDF p. 29

When is the best time to enter a destination into your GPS?

When traffic is light
At a green light
Before you start driving
While driving slowly

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Before you start driving

Working a navigation system while moving is a distraction. Plan the route first or let a passenger help.

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About these questions

We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133) (Revised October 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 Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.