What is the fine range for a first Texas texting-while-driving offense without injury?
- $25 to $99
- $500 to $1,000
- $1 to $5
Show the answer
$25 to $99
A repeat offense brings $100 to $200, and causing death or serious injury is a Class A misdemeanor.
Texas Phones & Distraction practice test
Practice phone rules and other distractions: 19 questions based on the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), 7 of them on Texas's own rules.
Key Texas facts: Phones & Distraction
- Texas drivers under 18 may not use a wireless device while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency. Sec. 545.424, Operation of Vehicle by Person Under 18
- Texas law bans reading, writing or sending electronic messages on a portable device while driving unless the vehicle is stopped. Sec. 545.4251, Use of Portable Wireless Communication Device for Electronic Messaging
- A first Texas texting offense carries a fine of $25 to $99. Sec. 545.4251, Use of Portable Wireless Communication Device for Electronic Messaging
- Using a portable device to navigate by GPS is an affirmative defense to a Texas texting charge. Sec. 545.4251, Use of Portable Wireless Communication Device for Electronic Messaging
- In a Texas school crossing zone, wireless device use is banned unless stopped or hands-free. Sec. 545.425, Use of Wireless Communication Device in a School Crossing Zone
Sample Phones & Distraction questions
May a Texas driver under 18 use a hands-free phone while driving?
- Yes, if a parent is calling
- Yes, if it is voice-only
- No, except in an emergency
Show the answer
No, except in an emergency
The ban on drivers under 18 covers handheld and hands-free devices. An emergency is the exception.
Source: Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 545, Sec. 545.424, Operation of Vehicle by Person Under 18
Which device use is listed as a defense to a Texas texting charge?
- Using it to navigate with GPS
- Replying to a friend's message
- Posting a photo of the road
Show the answer
Using it to navigate with GPS
Other listed defenses include hands-free use, summoning emergency help and activating a music function.
When should you check your route and maps, according to the Texas handbook?
- Before you begin driving
- At the next red light
- While going under 30 mph
Show the answer
Before you begin driving
Preparing before you start, including mirrors and radio stations, removes distractions from the drive.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026), Chapter 9, Distracted Driving, p. 54
Which sign tells you that another Texas driver may be distracted?
- Stopping behind a crosswalk
- Using a turn signal before turning
- Drifting within the lane at changing speeds
Show the answer
Drifting within the lane at changing speeds
Also watch for drivers busy with maps, food or phones. Give them plenty of room.
Source: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026), Chapter 9, Distracted Driving, p. 54
Which phone use is allowed while moving through a Texas school crossing zone?
- A call on a hands-free device
- Holding the phone to your ear
- Reading a message at a slow speed
Show the answer
A call on a hands-free device
The law allows use if the vehicle is stopped or a hands-free device is used. Signs at the zone's entrance warn drivers.
When may a Texas driver read a text message on a handheld phone?
- When the vehicle is stopped
- When driving under 30 mph
- When on an empty rural road
Show the answer
When the vehicle is stopped
The offense applies while operating a motor vehicle unless it is stopped. Local rules on electronic messaging are preempted.
May you hold a phone to make a call while driving in an active school zone?
- Yes, at the school zone speed
- Yes, if no children are visible
- No, that is not allowed
Show the answer
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
Where young drivers are barred from using a phone, what use is still allowed?
- Checking a map on a side road
- Texting a parent at a red light
- Calling for help in an emergency
Show the answer
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
Why is eating while driving risky?
- It is risky only at night
- Food makes the car harder to steer
- It is not risky at all
- It takes your hands and attention away from driving
Show the answer
It takes your hands and attention away from driving
Eating or drinking can take a hand off the wheel and your eyes and mind off the road.
Source: PennDOT: Distracted Driving, Distractions Are Everywhere; Georgia Drivers' Manual, Section 5: Traffic Laws, Distracted Driving; North Carolina Driver Handbook, Distracted Driving: Distractions, PDF p. 43; New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 5, Distractions, PDF p. 94; Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 42; Texas Driver Handbook, Distracted Driving, PDF p. 60; Massachusetts Driver's Manual, Chapter 5, p. 119; Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7, Distracted Driving, p. 45; Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 6.C, p. 34; Section 6 sidebar, p. 36; 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, PDF pp. 115-116; 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, 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; 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, Emotional Distractions, PDF p. 24; Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 3, Driver Distractions, PDF pp. 21-22; Idaho Driver's Handbook, Things That Can Distract Your Attention, PDF p. 91; Ways to Keep From Getting Distracted, PDF p. 92; Nebraska Driver's Manual, Section 5E-1, Distracted Driving, 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 (do not eat while driving), 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
More Texas practice
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7) (Revised January 2026 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 Texas Department of Public Safety, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.