Electronic devices — Missouri Permit Test

It is against the law for any driver of a noncommercial or commercial motor vehicle to use an electronic communication device on any highway or property open to the public.

The rule covers every driver and every road the public can use, not just highways.

It is against the law for any driver of a noncommercial or commercial motor vehicle, on any highway or property open to the public for vehicular traffic, to use an electronic communication device.

While the vehicle is in motion, a driver may not physically hold or support a cellphone with any part of their body.

Wedging it against your shoulder counts. The rule is about holding it at all, not about which hand.

drivers are prohibited from: • Physically holding or supporting a cellphone with any part of their body.

Drivers are prohibited from manually typing, writing, sending, or reading text-based messages while the vehicle is in motion.

Reading is on the list as well as writing, which is the half drivers tend to think is safe.

drivers are prohibited from: • Physically holding or supporting a cellphone with any part of their body. • Manually typing, writing, sending, or reading text-based messages.

Recording, posting, sending, or broadcasting video, including video calls and social media posts, is prohibited while driving.

A video call is a text message that also takes your eyes off the road continuously.

drivers are prohibited from: • Physically holding or supporting a cellphone with any part of their body. • Manually typing, writing, sending, or reading text-based messages. • Recording, posting, sending or broadcasting video, including video calls and social media posts.

The law does allow drivers to place or receive voice calls using voice-operated or hands-free functions engaged with a single touch or swipe.

One touch is the whole allowance. Two is where it stops being hands-free.

The new law does allow drivers to: • Place or receive voice calls utilizing voice-operated or hands-free functions that can be engaged/disengaged with a single touch or swipe

The law allows sending or receiving text-based communication through voice-to-text features.

Speaking a message keeps your eyes on the road, which is the distinction the law draws.

The new law does allow drivers to: • Place or receive voice calls utilizing voice-operated or hands-free functions that can be engaged/disengaged with a single touch or swipe • Talk on the phone, hands-free, utilizing features like built-in phone speaker, in-car Bluetooth, or ear bud/headset • Send or receive text-based communication through voice-to-text features

The law allows a driver to use cellphone GPS navigation and music or podcast functions.

Navigation and music are permitted because neither of them asks you to compose anything.

The new law does allow drivers to: • Place or receive voice calls utilizing voice-operated or hands-free functions that can be engaged/disengaged with a single touch or swipe • Talk on the phone, hands-free, utilizing features like built-in phone speaker, in-car Bluetooth, or ear bud/headset • Send or receive text-based communication through voice-to-text features • Utilize cellphone GPS navigation and music or podcast functions

A driver may use a device to access or view a map for navigational purposes, or to access or listen to a broadcast or digital audio recording.

The permission is specific: looking at a map is allowed, and everything not listed is not.

The new law does allow drivers to: • Place or receive voice calls utilizing voice-operated or hands-free functions that can be engaged/disengaged with a single touch or swipe • Talk on the phone, hands-free, utilizing features like built-in phone speaker, in-car Bluetooth, or ear bud/headset • Send or receive text-based communication through voice-to-text features • Utilize cellphone GPS navigation and music or podcast functions • Using a device to access or view a map for navigational purposes

After January 1, 2025, a violation of the electronic communication device provisions may be subject to an infraction rather than a warning.

There was a warning period, and it has ended.

After that date, a violation of these provisions may be subject to an infraction.

Commercial drivers violating the electronic communication device section may be subject to disqualification.

Disqualification takes the commercial license, which for a commercial driver is the job.

Commercial drivers violating this section may be subject to disqualification.

It is against the law for any person to read, write, or send a text message or electronic message while operating a vehicle.

Three verbs, and the law names all three so none of them can be argued as something else.

It is against the law for any person to read, write, or send a text message or electronic message while operating a vehicle.

Whom does Missouri's electronic communication device law cover?

Every driver, commercial or not. The rule covers every driver and every road the public can use, not just highways. Missouri Driver Guide, p.93: “It is against the law for any driver of a noncommercial or commercial motor vehicle, on any highway or property open to the public for vehicular traffic, to use an electronic communication device.”