Key Pennsylvania facts: Phones & Distraction
Sample Phones & Distraction questions
Which hand-held phone use is allowed in Pennsylvania while you are driving?
Answering a call that seems important Sending a quick note to a parent or boss Reaching emergency services to prevent injury Checking a map on a very quiet road Show the answer
Reaching emergency services to prevent injury
The law has an exception for communicating with law enforcement or emergency services to prevent injury to people or property.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
How may a driver in Pennsylvania use an ear piece for communication?
In both ears In one ear only At low volume Only on freeways Show the answer
In one ear only
The manual says headphones and ear pieces can only be used in one ear for communication.
Source: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Driver Factors: Driving Distractions
Which of these does Pennsylvania's texting ban not cover?
A GPS device or a built-in vehicle system A tablet held up on the steering wheel A smart phone resting on your lap An email typed on a portable computer Show the answer
A GPS device or a built-in vehicle system
It also excludes communications devices affixed to mass transit vehicles, buses or school buses.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Texting-While-Driving Ban
Under Pennsylvania's hands-free law, answering a call counts as using the device if you press how many buttons?
More than five More than one More than ten None, ever Show the answer
More than one
Using a device includes dialing or answering it by pressing more than a single button.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
Your phone slid across the car floor. Under Pennsylvania's law, why can't you unbuckle and reach for it while driving?
It only matters if you then answer a call Reaching is fine, but touching it is not That reach counts as using the device It is banned only for drivers under 18 Show the answer
That reach counts as using the device
Reaching so that you are no longer seated in a driving position, restrained by a seat belt, counts as use.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
When may you use a hand-held phone without breaking Pennsylvania's law?
When you are driving below the speed of 25 mph When you are waiting at a stop sign or signal After stopping safely at the side of or off the road When you are in stopped traffic on the highway Show the answer
After stopping safely at the side of or off the road
Move to the side of or off the highway and halt in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
You are stopped at a red light in Pennsylvania. May you pick up your phone to check a message?
Yes, if your foot is on the brake Yes, if the light is a long one Yes, since the car is not moving No, this still counts as driving Show the answer
No, this still counts as driving
The law counts being temporarily stationary because of traffic, a signal or other momentary delay as driving.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
May an adult driver hold a phone to talk while driving in Pennsylvania?
No, hand-held use is banned for all drivers Only on roads posted under 35 mph Yes, adults may hold a phone to talk Yes, if it is held on a speaker setting Show the answer
No, hand-held use is banned for all drivers
Paul Miller's Law bans using a hand-held device while driving, for any driver.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
What is the fine for a hand-held phone violation in Pennsylvania now that the warning period has ended?
$500, plus a license suspension $1,000, plus points on your record $50, plus court costs and fees $5, with no court costs at all Show the answer
$50, plus court costs and fees
The first 12 months brought a written warning. Since June 5, 2026, the penalty is a $50 fine plus court costs and other fees.
Source: PennDOT Distracted Driving page, Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law
Is a hands-free phone call free of distraction?
No, the conversation still pulls your attention Yes, if you use voice commands Yes, it is completely safe Show the answer
No, the conversation still pulls your attention
Even with both hands on the wheel, your mind can be on the call instead of the road.
Source: Washington Driver Guide, Washington's distracted driving laws, PDF p. 85 ; Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 3, Driver Factors: Distractions ; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 5, Distractions, PDF p. 94 ; Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 4, Traffic Laws: Distracted Driving (p. 22) ; Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Distracted Driving (p. iv) ; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 8, Driving Hazards and Emergencies, Distracted Driving (cognitive distraction with hands-free), PDF p. 116 ; Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Careless/Reckless Driving, Distracted Driving, printed p. 24 (PDF p. 27) ; Iowa Driver's License Manual (MM1170), Chapter 3, 3.7 Eliminating Distractions, p. 36 ; Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Vol. 1, Ed. 10, October 2026), Chapter 4, Safe Driving, Distracted Driving Law, PDF p. 58 ; MDPS Driver's License Manual, Avoiding Distractions, PDF p. 23 ; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF p. 21 ; New Mexico Driver Manual, Cellular Phone Usage, PDF p. 33 ; Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), Section Five, Seeing Well, PDF p. 116 ; Montana Driver Manual (Form 25-0100, revised April 2024), Chapter 5, Seeing Well, PDF p. 61 ; 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. 25 ; New Hampshire Driver's Manual (DSMV 360, Rev. 11/25), Driver Distractions, PDF p. 13 (printed p. 7) ; Wyoming Driver License Manual: Rules of the Road (August 2021), PDF p. 89 ; Alaska Driver Manual (REV. 10/2025), Provisional Licenses (conversation distracts), PDF p. 9
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95) (PUB 95 (4-21) PDF, plus the undated online manual on pa.gov, read 2026-11-06 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 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
