Cell phone use for non-CMV fleet vehicles - Minnesota

In Minnesota, a person operating a vehicle may not hold a wireless communications device with one or both hands or use a wireless communications device to:

• Engage in a phone call, including initiating a call, talking or listening, and participating in video calling; and
• Access the following types of content stored on the device:
  • Video content,
  • Audio content,
  • Images,
  • Games, or
  • Software applications.

These prohibitions do not apply to:

• Communication with law enforcement or other emergency services;
• Use by law enforcement and emergency personnel;
• A device solely in a voice-activated or hands-free mode to:
  • Initiate or participate in a call; or
  • Initiate, compose, send, or listen to an electronic message;
• Viewing or operating a global positioning system or navigation system that does not require the driver to type while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic (may not hold the device with one or both hands);
• Listening to audio-based content in a manner that does not require the driver to scroll or type while the vehicle is in motion or a part of traffic (may not hold the device with one or both hands).

Citations

• Minn. Stat. 169.475