What the law says about using Google Maps while driving in Texas
If you’ve ever tapped a map app at a stoplight or glanced at directions while merging onto the highway, you may have wondered, “Could I get pulled over for this?”
Cell phone laws in Texas go beyond just texting bans, and they can trip up even cautious drivers. Texas Transportation Code makes it illegal to hold a cell phone to read, write, or send a text message behind the wheel, with some exceptions.
What’s legal in one city might earn you a ticket in another. Factors like your age, whether you’re in a school zone, or even if kids are on a bus nearby can change the rules.
The consequences aren’t small, either. Violations can lead to fines, a misdemeanor charge, or, in the most serious cases, prison time.
So what exactly counts as legal versus illegal phone use on Texas roads? Here’s what to know.
What phone use is allowed under Texas law?
You don’t have to ditch your map app. According to Texas law, you can use your phone while driving to use a map app or use Bluetooth or hands-free functions.
- Using a map app — You can use your phone to run a map app, although it’s safest if the interaction is minimal..
- Activating a function that plays music — You can use your phone to play music or podcast apps.
- Using Bluetooth or hands-free devices — You can also use your phone via a hands-free device to do the above, plus make phone calls, music or access other apps.
Drivers are also allowed to:
- Report an emergency — You can use your phone to call in a crime, fire, traffic accident, or medical emergency or read a text that you think constitutes an emergency
- Use the device while stopped — Interacting with your phone is permitted when your vehicle is not in motion, like being fully parked.
But not everyone gets the same flexibility. Some drivers face stricter limits.
- Drivers under 18 can’t use any wireless communication devices while driving, unless it’s an emergency.
- School bus drivers cannot use phones if children are on board.
- All drivers in school zones must go hands-free, no matter the situation.
Do some Texas cities have stricter phone laws than the state?
Some Texas cities go further than the statewide law. For example:
- Austin bans all handheld phone use while driving.
- San Antonio prohibits handheld device use unless the vehicle is stopped.
- El Paso enforces a similar handheld ban and promotes public awareness campaigns.
That means if you’re driving through different parts of Texas, you could follow state law but still end up violating local ordinances.
What are the penalties for using a phone while driving in Texas?
Breaking Texas’ cell phone laws can carry consequences ranging from a ticket to felony charges, in extreme cases.
According to Doug Murphy Law Firm in Houston, the penalties include:
- Fines: First offenses start between $25 and $99, and repeat offenses can go up to $200.
- Misdemeanor: Violating the handheld law is a misdemeanor, which could add a criminal record and higher fines for repeat violations.
- Serious crashes: If distracted phone use leads to an accident that causes serious injury or death, drivers could face criminally negligent homicide charges (a state jail felony with up to 2 years in jail and $10,000 in fines). In reckless cases, prosecutors may pursue manslaughter, which carries 2 to 20 years in prison.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM.
CORRECTION: This story has been corrected to update the Texas law statute about exceptions to cell phone use while driving.
