Phone holders and the law in the UK: what is allowed while driving

A phone holder is legal in the UK. What the law cares about is how you use the phone once it is in the car. This is a short summary of the official guidance on GOV.UK, written for drivers rather than lawyers. If you are ever in doubt, the GOV.UK page linked at the bottom is the one to trust.

The basic rule: never hold it

It is illegal to hold and use a phone, sat nav, tablet or any device that can send or receive data while you are driving. GOV.UK gives examples: you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web, and the rule applies whether the device is online or offline.

The rule still applies when you are stopped at traffic lights, queuing in traffic, supervising a learner, or sitting in a car whose engine switches off when it stops.

What hands-free means

You can use a phone hands-free, as long as you do not hold it at any point while using it. GOV.UK lists a dashboard holder, a windscreen mount, a Bluetooth headset, voice commands and a built-in sat nav as examples of hands-free use. A vent mount works the same way: the phone sits in the holder and you leave it there.

In practice that means setting your route and your music before you pull away, and using voice commands (Siri, or your car's own system) for anything else on the move.

Where to put the holder

The device must not block your view of the road and traffic ahead. You also have to stay in full control of the car at all times, and the police can stop you if they think you are distracted.

• — Keep the windscreen clear. One reason many drivers prefer a vent mount is that it keeps the phone below the line of sight.
• — Do not mount the phone in front of the instruments, the hazard switch or the heater controls you need while driving.
• — Keep it clear of airbag covers.
• — Set the route and the angle before you set off, so you never need to reach for the phone or look away from the road for long.

The penalties

• — Holding and using a phone while driving: 6 penalty points and a £200 fine.
• — If you passed your test in the last 2 years, 6 points means you lose your licence.
• — Not having a full view of the road or proper control of the vehicle: 3 penalty points.
• — In court: a ban from driving and a fine of up to £1,000 (£2,500 for lorry and bus drivers).

When you can hold your phone

GOV.UK lists a few exceptions: calling 999 or 112 in an emergency when it is unsafe or impractical to stop, when you are safely parked, making a contactless payment in a vehicle that is not moving (at a drive-through, for example), and using the phone to park the car remotely.

This guide summarises the official guidance as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. Rules can change, so check GOV.UK for the current position.