Starting June 5, 2025, it is illegal to hold your phone while driving in Pennsylvania. Under the new Senate Bill 37, also known as Paul Miller’s Law, you must use hands-free technology if you want to use your phone while behind the wheel. [75 Pa. C.S. § 3316(1) (Supp. 2025)]

What Paul Miller’s Law Means for Drivers in PA

Pennsylvania already had a ban on texting while driving. But this new law goes much further. Now, you can’t hold your phone at all. This applies even at a red light or while stuck in traffic. If your phone is in your hand and you’re driving, it’s a violation. In fact, there’s only three things you can do, using your phone through hands-free technology, using GPS apps (on a mounted device), and calling 911.

This means no texting, scrolling on social media, browsing apps, or holding your phone while stopped at a red light or in traffic. With changes this big, law makers and law enforcement are allowing an adjustment period. For the first year, June 5, 2025 – June 5 2026, police will start giving warnings to educate drivers. On June 6, 2026 citations and fines will start to be issued as a violation of the law.

How Will Paul Miller’s Law Be Enforced, and What Are the Penalties?

Police will be able to pull you over if they see you holding a phone while driving. They can issue a warning until mid-2026. After that, you can be ticketed. The penalty will include a $50 fine and other fees like court costs.

To promote fairness, the law also includes a requirement for police to record data on each stop, such as the driver’s race, ethnicity, and gender. This information will be used to track and prevent any potential bias in enforcement.

Tips on Limiting Phone Use While Driving in Pennsylvania

1. Mount your phone on your dashboard if you need to use GPS. If you rely on navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze, use a dashboard or windshield mount to keep your phone visible but out of your hands.
2. Use voice commands to make calls or get directions. Modern smartphones offer hands-free voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa.
3. Turn on your phone’s “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode. Both iPhones and Android devices offer features that automatically silence notifications when you’re driving.
4. Put your phone in the back seat, glove box, or trunk to avoid temptation. Sometimes the best way to stay safe is to remove the temptation altogether.
5. If a message or call can’t wait, pull over safely before picking up your phone.
   Your safety is worth the extra few minutes. If something urgent comes up, find a safe place to pull over and park your car.
6. Ask a passenger to be your “designated texter.” If you’re not driving alone, ask someone else in the car to handle your phone duties.
   
   

What Pennsylvania Drivers Need to Know

Whether you’re commuting to work, driving your kids to school, or heading out on a road trip, the message is clear, using your phone is now illegal. A hands-free call is okay. This creates new situations in law, especially in regards to personal injury and criminal defense. If you recently think you could be affected by this new law, reach out to us today. We can help you with your case.