A major change is coming to Pennsylvania’s roads—and it will affect every driver behind the wheel, including commercial motor vehicle operators.
On June 5, 2025, Pennsylvania’s new Paul Miller’s Law goes into effect, banning the use of all handheld electronic devices while driving. This includes phones, tablets, digital assistants, and any similar communication or video device that must be held in your hand to operate.
This law isn’t just about texting and driving anymore—it extends to scrolling social media, browsing GPS apps, watching videos, typing addresses, or even holding your phone to check directions.
Whether you’re driving through a city, on a rural highway, or sitting at a red light in heavy traffic, if you’re holding your phone, you’re breaking the law. Officers can now pull you over for simply holding your device, even if the vehicle is not moving.
To put it simply: If your hand is on a phone instead of the wheel, you’re in violation.
Real Driving Scenarios to Keep in Mind
Let’s say a driver is navigating through Harrisburg during rush hour. They’re stuck at a long red light and decide to scroll through Instagram or reply to a dispatch message using their fingers—that’s a violation.
Or imagine a trucker running overnight who wants to change playlists while cruising down I-80. If they unlock their phone and swipe to change the song, they’ve just broken the law.
Even checking an app for the next rest stop while driving can lead to being pulled over. If it requires you to hold the phone—even for just a few seconds—it’s considered illegal under the new law.
Important Law Details
- Effective Date: June 5, 2025
- Prohibited Use: Holding any device for texting, scrolling, calling, GPS, social media, video recording, etc.
- Applies Even When Stopped: At lights, signs, or traffic jams
- Grace Period: Warnings issued until June 5, 2026
- Fines Begin: $50 plus court costs (approx. $198.50 total) after grace period
- Exceptions: Only when contacting 911 or using a completely hands-free setup
CNS Licensing Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
To stay compliant and safe, commercial drivers should begin transitioning now.
- Invest in quality phone mounts that keep the device within view but eliminate the need to touch it.
- Use voice-activated controls (like Siri, Google Assistant, or truck-specific fleet software) to manage calls, texts, and directions without lifting a finger.
Fleets should also review and update driver handbooks and policies to clearly state that handheld device use is not permitted under any circumstances—not even while stopped.
Hold driver training sessions to discuss examples of what constitutes a violation, and use dash cam or telematics data to identify at-risk behaviors before they lead to a citation or crash.
For any questions about driver licensing, registration renewals, or other PennDOT services, contact CNS Licensing at (717) 627-4334 or info@cnslicensing.com.
