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Safety
Understanding mobile phone and portable device road rules in Australia
Fines and demerit points apply for illegal use of your mobile phone while driving in Victoria. These are must-know mobile device laws for fully licenced and P1, P2 and Learner drivers.
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.
To help enforce these new road rules, mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras were rolled out in July 2023. In their first six months of operation, the cameras caught 30,231 drivers using their mobile phones while driving. The latest available data (July 1 to September 30 2024) reported 6,905 drivers using their mobile while driving.
Penalities can include fines of up to $577, four 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
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 an 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.
All drivers must safely park and turn off their vehicle before placing a phone call with an unmounted mobile device.
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 (in a pocket is permissable) 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.
You can use your mobile device to pay at a drive-through.
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.
Place any unmounted mobile devices out of reach and out of sight (such as in the glovebox) before you start driving.
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.
All drivers must not look at a mobile or wearable device that's being operated by a passenger.
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:
- Avoid using your mobile phone altogether while driving. It's best to keep your attention solely on the road.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
TThe 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.
