Safety

Understanding mobile phone road rules in Australia

Person in car mounting mobile device

RACV

Posted March 04, 2024

As technology continues to evolve, it's important to understand the mobile device road rules in Victoria and Australia to ensure your safety on the road. 

It's important to maintain focus and concentration when driving a vehicle, which is why it's crucial to adhere to mobile device road rules. When you use a mobile device, whether it's for texting, calling, or browsing, your attention is diverted from the road, increasing the risk of near misses and accidents. By following the mobile device road rules, you can significantly reduce distractions and ensure that your full attention is on the task of driving.

Breaching the mobile device road rules can have severe implications. In Australia, every state and territory has strict laws relating to the use of mobile devices while driving. In Victoria, new road rules introduced in 2023 clarified a number of rules regulating the use of portable, mountable, wearable and inbuilt devices while driving a vehicle. Penalities can include fines, demerit points, and even licence suspension. These consequences are in place to deter drivers from engaging in dangerous behaviours and to promote safer driving practices.

Guide to road rules for mobile devices

Person driving with mounted mobile phone

You must set up your mobile device and have it properly mounted to use it for navigation. Image: Getty.

Biggest road safety concern

A RACV poll has revealed that many Victorians consider drivers using phones to be one of their biggest road safety concerns.

This follows the latest figures from the Victorian Government that reveal more than $17m in fines were handed out to drivers for breaching the distracted driving rules during the first six months of enforcement from detection cameras introduced in July last year.

From 1 July to 30 December 2023, 30,231 drivers were captured by the cameras, with drivers facing penalties of four demerit points and a fine of $577 for using a mobile device, including phones, when driving.

Road rules for mounted mobile devices

Fully licenced drivers 

Fully licenced drivers are allowed to use their mobile phones for making or receiving calls, navigation and playing audio using hands-free or voice control functions, while driving. However, it is important to note that these activities must be done without touching the phone. You are only allowed to briefly (a couple of seconds) touch your phone for changing a song or volume, adjusting navigation or answering a call, only if it is mounted. You are not permitted to use your device for reading or entering text, scrolling or viewing images, social media, websites or videos. 

Learner, P1 and P2 drivers

Learner, P1 and P2 drivers are allowed to use their mobile phones for setting up your navigation and music or audio, provided that this is done before commencing your journey. You are not permitted to touch your device at any point whilst you are driving, even at a traffic light. Using hands-free or voice control functions is not permitted. To change a song, the volume or address in your navigation, you must pull over and be parked. You are not permitted to use your device for answering or making calls, reading or entering text, scrolling or viewing images, social media, websites or videos. 

Person sitting in car with door open on mobile phone

If you need to touch and use your mobile device, you must pull over and be parked. Image: Getty.

Road rules for unmounted mobile devices

Fully licenced drivers

If your mobile device is unmounted, you must setup your navigation and music or audio and put your mobile device out of reach and sight before you begin driving. The device is not permitted to be in your lap or resting on any part of your body and you may not look at a mobile device being operated by another person. You may not use your mobile device for anything else, even answering calls, if it is unmounted. 

Learner, P1 and P2 drivers

You may not use your mobile device for any purpose at all while driving. You must pull over and be parked to use it. Put your mobile device out of reach and sight before you begin driving, even if it is switched off. The device is not permitted to be in your lap or resting on any part of your body and you may not look at a mobile device being operated by another person. Your mobile device must not have any ongoing activity such as navigation or audio while you are driving.  

 

Person using mobile phone inside car while parked

If your mobile device is unmounted, you must set up the navigation and audio before driving, then put it out of sight and reach. Image: Getty.

Road rules for wearable devices

Fully licenced drivers

For wearable devices such as a smart watch, you may use voice controls, not touch, to operate your audio player or receive phone calls. You may not use your wearable device for navigation or any other purpose, such as reading or entering text, scrolling or viewing images, social media, websites or videos. You are not permitted to look at a wearable device that is being operated by another person.

Learners, P1 and P2 drivers

As for learners, P1 and P2 drivers, the rules do differ. You are not permitted to use voice controls or touch, to operate your smart watch. You will need to set your audio player up before you commence your drive or pull over and be parked before changing the song or volume. You may not use your wearable device for phone calls, navigation or any other purpose, such as reading or entering text, scrolling or viewing images, social media, websites or videos. You are not permitted to look at your wearable device or look at one being operated by another person.

Person setting up smart watch inside car while parked

Set up your smart watch for audio play before you begin driving. You may not touch your smart watch while driving. Image: Getty.

Staying safe on the road

When it comes to using your mobile device while driving, safety should always be the top priority. Distracted driving is a serious issue that can lead to accidents. To ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road, here are some important tips to follow:

  1. Avoid using your mobile phone altogether while driving. It's best to keep your attention solely on the road.
  2. If you are a fully licenced driver and must use your phone, use a hands-free device or bluetooth technology. This allows you to make and receive calls without taking your hands off the wheel.
  3. Before you start your journey, set up your GPS or navigation system. This helps you stay focused on the road without the need for constant phone interaction.
  4. If you need to send a message or reply to a text, pull over to a safe location before doing so. It's never worth risking your safety or the safety of others for a text message.

 

RACV Car Insurance helps protect your vehicle from loss or damage.
Discover more →

 

The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s)issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.