Texting while driving has been against the law in Indiana
since 2011, but on July 1, 2020, the state passed a hands-free law that made the texting and driving ban easier to enforce. Violating this law carries a maximum fine of $35.50 for your first offense. You’ll also have four points added to your license, although these can be removed if you complete a driver safety program. 
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Start earning nowWhat are the texting and driving laws in Indiana?
In Indiana, it’s considered distracted driving
to use your handheld device while you drive. Distracted driving is a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over and ticketed if an officer sees you texting, emailing, checking social media, or any other activity while you’re holding your phone in your hand. Most drivers are permitted to use the hands-free features on their phone, like making a phone call or getting directions. However, if you are under the age of 21, it is illegal to use your phone at all while you are driving, even if it is hands-free.
Texting and driving is a serious distraction because it combines the three types of distracted driving recognized in Indiana: visual, manual, and cognitive.
Visual distractions take your eyes off the road
Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel
Cognitive distractions take your mind off your driving
Until recently, texting while driving in Indiana was a primary offense, but it was hard to enforce. The new hands-free law makes it much easier for law enforcement to ticket drivers for texting.
What are the penalties for texting and driving in Indiana?
If you get ticketed for texting and driving in Indiana, you could be charged with a Class C infraction. You may be given fines of up to $500 and points
on your Indiana driver's license
. Depending on the circumstances of your violation, you could also be charged with reckless driving
. And if your distracted driving leads to a fatal accident, you might be facing a reckless homicide charge for vehicular manslaughter. Are there exceptions to Indiana’s texting and driving law?
Yes, there is one exception to the hands-free law. If you have an emergency, you can use your phone to call 911. For any other calls, you should either use your phone’s hands-free features or pull over somewhere safe, like a gas station.
You are permitted to do the following, as long as you aren’t physically holding your phone:
Send texts with voice commands
Use turn-by-turn GPS navigation
Stream music or other audio through your phone
Are there special rules about texting and driving for young drivers?
Yes, Indiana has expanded rules for young drivers. If you’re under 21, you cannot use your phone at all while you’re driving—even if you’re using it hands-free.
Key Takeaway: Using your phone while you’re driving is illegal in Indiana, but you can still use the hands-free features on your phone if you are over the age of 21.
Can texting and driving raise my insurance premium?
Texting and driving can cost you a lot in traffic fines, but that’s not all. You might also see your insurance premium go up if you’re given a distracted driving ticket
. Let’s take a look at the numbers. In Indiana, the average annual rate for a driver with a clean driving record
is $1,094. After a ticket for texting and driving, that average jumps to $1,468. That’s a $374 increase—or 34%!
To avoid a spike in your rates, put your phone away while you’re driving, or at least opt for a hands-free option for things like GPS navigation or texting. Not only is this going to help you keep a clean record (and maybe even help you get a safe driver discount
), but it will also help keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safer. How to save money on car insurance in Indiana
Getting a ticket for distracted driving in Indiana can be expensive, especially if you’re already dealing with high car insurance premiums. Luckily, it’s easy to save big. With the help of the Jerry
app, you can lower your annual car insurance
rate in less than two minutes! Once you’re safely off the road, download the trustworthy licensed broker app
, then enter in some basic information. Jerry will compare rates from more than 55 top insurance companies, sending you the lowest car insurance quotes
for the coverage you need. All you have to do is choose the rate and coverage that fits your needs. After you choose a policy, Jerry will take care of all of the paperwork. They’ll even help you cancel your old policy, so it really couldn’t be any easier. Even better, Jerry users save over $800 a year on their car insurance, so it really pays to check it out!
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