Can you go on your phone at a red light in MA

Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) / state law says about going on your phone at a red light in Massachusetts.

✅ What the law allows & forbids

• Under the Massachusetts Hands‑Free Driving Law (effective February 23, 2020) — codified in Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 90, Section 13B — drivers may not hold or support a mobile device while operating a motor vehicle.
• Use of a phone is only legal if the device is in hands-free mode, which means it must be properly mounted (e.g. on the dashboard, windshield, or center console) and drivers can only touch it to activate hands-free mode once (e.g. one tap/swipe).
• The law prohibits “touching a device for texting, e-mailing, apps, video, or internet use.”
• Importantly: even if your car is stopped at a red light (or a stop sign), the law still applies. Handheld use — holding/using a phone in your hand — is not allowed at red lights or stop signs.

⚠️ Consequences

If you violate the law by using a handheld device while the vehicle is on a public roadway:

• 1st offense — typically a $100 fine.
• 2nd offense — around $250 plus a required distracted-driving education course.
• 3rd or subsequent offenses — up to $500 fine, plus insurance surcharge and mandatory driver retraining.

Also note: for junior drivers (drivers under 18, or certain restricted license holders), the law is stricter — they are generally prohibited from using mobile devices at all while driving (even in hands-free mode).

✅ So — can you “go on your phone” at a red light in MA?

No — at least not if you are holding the phone. Under Massachusetts law, a red light counts as you operating a vehicle on a public roadway. Hand-held phone use is forbidden. The only way you may legally use a phone while stopped at a red light is if it’s mounted and you’re using it in true hands-free mode (e.g. voice-activated call, navigation) in compliance with the law.

About the Author

Michael McStay

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Editor-in-Chief Michael McStay serves as Editor-in-Chief of Plimoth News. He oversees editorial direction, investigative reporting, and newsroom operations. His work focuses on local government accountability, public safety reporting, and community issues throughout Plymouth County.

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