Practice phone rules and other distractions: 12 questions based on the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), 6 of them on New York's own rules.
A fine up to $200 and five points
Penalties for texting and electronic device use follow a similar range, with higher fines for repeat offenses.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, Defensive Driving
A 120-day suspension
A later conviction within six months of getting the license back brings a revocation of at least one year.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, Defensive Driving
No, it is illegal
This covers texts and e-mails on phones and other portable devices.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, Defensive Driving
A call for an emergency situation
Police officers, firefighters and emergency vehicle drivers on official duty are exempt as well.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, Defensive Driving
To activate, begin or end a call
Speaking into or listening to a hand-held phone while driving is what the law prohibits.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, Defensive Driving
As a traffic infraction
Hands-free phones, which you can use without either hand, are allowed at any time.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), Chapter 8, Defensive Driving
A loose pet can distract you
An unsecured pet can climb on you or draw your attention away from the road.
Source: Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 42; New York State Driver's Manual, Defensive Driving: Be Prepared and Look Ahead, PDF p. 45; Georgia Drivers' Manual, Section 5: Traffic Laws, Distracted Driving; California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued): Distracted Driving; Missouri Driver Guide, Chapter 16, Are you being driven to distraction, PDF p. 94; Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook 2026, Section 9.B Distracted Driving, p. 50; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8, Driving Hazards and Emergencies, Distracted Driving (secure pets before you begin), PDF p. 116; 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, Tips to prevent distracted driving, printed p. 24 (PDF p. 27); Connecticut Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, Driving Behaviors, Driver Distractions, p. 27; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Emotional Distractions, PDF p. 24; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 22; Idaho Driver's Handbook, Ways to Keep From Getting Distracted, PDF p. 92; Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), Section Two, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 53; Maine Driver's License Manual (Rev 4/24), Section 3, Driver Distractions (pets in a carrier), PDF p. 25; 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. 23; New Hampshire Driver's Manual (DSMV 360, Rev. 11/25), Driver Distractions, PDF p. 14 (printed p. 8); Vermont Driver's Manual (VN-007, 2025 edition), Ch. 7, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 56; Alaska Driver Manual (REV. 10/2025), Distracted driving, PDF p. 29
They are stricter
Younger and new drivers face tighter limits or harsher penalties for using a phone.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, Section 8, Safe Driving (continued); Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 1, Your License to Drive, p. 3; New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 1, Driver Licenses; 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; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 4, Cellular Telephones, p. 86; Chapter 1, Permit and Probationary License Restrictions, p. 18; Virginia DMV: Teen Driving Restrictions, Cellular Telephone/Wireless Telecommunications Device Restrictions; Washington Driver Guide, Chapter 1, 1.8 Intermediate driver license; Chapter 3, 3.0 Hearing; Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 1, If you are under 18 and Your provisional license, pp. 13-14; Chapter 6, Illegal driver behaviors in Minnesota, p. 79; Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Vol. 1, Ed. 10, October 2026), Chapter 4, Safe Driving, Distracted Driving Law, PDF p. 58; Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), Section Four, Cell Phone/Hand-Held Electronic Device Use While Driving, PDF p. 81; Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, Title 29-A, §1311, sub-§1, ¶C; South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), The Driver's License, Types of Driver's Licenses and Driver's Permits, PDF p. 8; 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(a)-(b)
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
Eyes, hands and mind
Using a phone can pull your eyes, hands and attention away from driving.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9, Some Special Driving Situations, p. 54; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Chapter 4, Before You Drive: You the Driver (p. 33); New York State Driver's Manual, Chapter 8, Defensive Driving; Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Driver Factors: Driving Distractions; Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Ohio Driver Manual, Section 3, Distracted Driving; What Every Driver Must Know (SOS-133), Chapter 4, Distracted driving, pp. 23-24; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 5, Distractions, p. 92; 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, Distracted driving, p. 78; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 5, Safe Driving Habits, Cellular Phones, PDF p. 82; Chapter 8, Driving Hazards and Emergencies, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 115; 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 3, Driving Behaviors, Driver Distractions, p. 27; Utah Driver Handbook, Section 11, Distractions and Driving Challenges, PDF p. 66; Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 3, 3.7 Eliminating Distractions, p. 36; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Avoiding Distractions, PDF p. 23; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 21; 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 (visual, manual, cognitive), PDF p. 26; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Distracted Driving, PDF p. 17; South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 19; New Hampshire Driver's Manual (DSMV 360, Rev. 11/25), Driver Distractions, PDF p. 13 (printed p. 7)
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) (Undated PDF, file created 2026-04-20; copyright line reads 2018 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 New York State DMV, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.