Cell Phone Policy for CDL Drivers in Illinois

No, CDL drivers cannot use a hand-held cell phone while driving in Illinois. Federal law bans both hand-held phone use and texting for commercial drivers, and Illinois and Chicago have their own bans that apply to every driver, commercial or not.

Chicago’s busy highways, like the Dan Ryan Expressway, require drivers to be fully alert, especially if they are driving a large commercial motor vehicle. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) cell phone policy for CDL drivers prohibits truck drivers from using any hand-held mobile telephone while driving.

If you were in an accident with a truck driver using his or her mobile telephone, our law office is here to help. We will investigate the accident, determine whether distracted driving played a role, and help you explore your legal options. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney from our firm for a free consultation.

Are Truck Drivers Allowed to Use a Mobile Phone While Driving?

Trucking laws and regulations prohibit drivers from using a hand-held mobile phone while driving (49 CFR 392.82). FMCSA research found that commercial drivers who texted while driving were 23.2 times more likely to experience a safety-critical event, such as a crash, near-crash, or lane deviation. On average, a texting driver’s eyes are off the forward roadway for 4.6 seconds, which is about the length of a football field when driving at 55 miles per hour.

The mobile phone restriction rule is still in place when the truck is temporarily stationary, such as during traffic, at stop signs, or during other momentary delays. However, drivers required to call law enforcement officials or other emergency services may use their mobile phone (49 CFR 392.82).

While these are federal regulations, state and municipal statutes also prohibit the use of any handheld device.

The Illinois Vehicle Code bars mobile phone use while driving for everyone, not just commercial motor vehicle operators (625 ILCS 5/12-610.2). In 2024, the law was updated to include video conferencing software like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, and it directly addresses social media like Facebook and Instagram. The Chicago Municipal Code also prohibits the use of any cellular device or mobile telephone while driving (9-76-230).

What Counts as a Mobile Telephone Under the FMCSA Rules?

The FMCSA’s handheld mobile phone restriction rule covers cell phones, smartphones, and any other device used for communication or data.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration explains that a hand-held mobile phone is anything that meets the following elements:

• Taking at least one hand off the wheel to hold a device
• Dialing a phone by pressing more than a single button
• Anything that would require drivers to move out of a seated driving position to reach for the phone

Hand-Held Mobile Phone and Texting Prohibitions for CDL Drivers

Texting while driving is completely prohibited under the cell phone policy for CDL drivers (49 CFR 392.80). This includes reading, writing, or sending any text-based communication from any device.

Violations of the cell phone policy for CDL drivers carry real consequences, both financial and to a driver’s license. A CDL cell phone violation penalty can reach up to $2,750 per violation for the driver, while employers who allow or require their drivers to use a hand-held phone or text while driving can face penalties of up to $11,000. Texting while driving is a separate violation from using a hand-held mobile phone, meaning that drivers may receive multiple violations for the same act. In situations where distracted driving leads to a crash, consulting a Chicago hit and run lawyer can help victims understand their legal options.

Repeat violations also put a driver’s CDL at risk. A second violation within a three-year period results in at least a 60-day CDL disqualification, and a third violation within that same three-year period results in at least a 120-day CDL disqualification.

Are CDL Drivers Allowed to Use a Hands-Free Mobile?

Commercial motor vehicle drivers can use a hands-free phone while driving only if it meets the following requirements:

• The device is properly mounted on the dashboard, within close proximity, and does not require drivers to reach for it.
• The device can be operated with a single button.
• Drivers remain in a seated driving position, properly restrained by a seat belt, while using the device.

Hands-free does not mean distraction-free, especially as pushing a button still requires taking one’s eyes off the roadway. Truckers who talk on the phone while driving can still cause accidents, even if their hands are on the wheel. Similar insurance considerations apply in rideshare cases, including understanding Lyft insurance coverage in Illinois when determining available compensation.

What Is Considered a Hands-Free Device?

A hands-free phone must allow voice communication without holding the device, which is completely prohibited under FMCSA regulations (49 CFR 392.80). It should also require minimal manual interaction, such as pressing a single button.

One example of a hands-free device would be voice-activated tools like Alexa or Siri, which have a trigger word. A driver can engage the device without touching anything or taking their eyes off the road. However, distractions involving any device can still contribute to serious crashes, including head-on car accident claims.

Are Trucking Companies Responsible for Cell Phone Compliance?

Trucking companies and motor carriers are legally required to ensure their drivers comply with cell phone policies. They must enforce written mobile phone rules and discipline those who violate them (49 CFR 390.11). Additionally, employers should train their drivers about federal law and perform periodic reviews to ensure compliance.

Many trucks now have cameras in the cab to monitor their drivers, so if the dispatchers notice distracted behavior, they should quickly intervene. If they fail to identify this dangerous form of distracted driving and the driver causes an accident, then they can be liable. Victims may need this evidence when filing a car accident claim and pursuing compensation for their injuries.

How Cell Phone Violations Impact Truck Accident Liability

To prove liability, an experienced truck accident attorney in Chicago must establish negligence. This has four factors: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Duty of care means that the liable party had a responsibility to ensure others on the roadway were safe. This includes not texting or talking on the phone while driving. Breach of duty means that the party failed to uphold their duty, such as by reaching for a mobile phone while driving along the O’Hare-Elgin Tollway or checking the news while stopped on Michigan Avenue. These responsibilities are also connected to commercial driver’s license requirements that regulate safe operation of large vehicles.

Causation is a key component of showing truck accident negligence. We must show that this breach of duty directly or indirectly resulted in the accident. In other words, we must not only prove that the individual broke the cell phone policy for CDL drivers, but that the accident would not have happened without this breach. Finally, we must demonstrate that you suffered from economic or non-economic damages as a result of the crash.

During our truck accident investigation, we will gather evidence that the driver and their company violated the mobile phone policy. This can include cell phone records, data logs, dashcams, and witness statements. Cell phone logs are often the most valuable form of evidence, as they can prove the phone was in use right before or during the crash.

Companies can be both vicariously and directly liable when their employees cause an accident, as per the Illinois Supreme Court case McQueen v. Lavonta M. Green. Vicarious liability is established by proving that the driver had a relationship with the employer, but direct liability requires proving that the company created an environment that made an accident more likely to occur.

Common forms of direct liability in truck accident cases include negligent hiring, training, or supervision. We can use company policies and driver qualification files to prove that the trucker had a history of moving violations or had been previously disciplined for the same issue. This evidence can also be important when victims experience injuries that appear days later and need to connect their medical condition to the crash.

By demonstrating that the negligent driver violated federal law, we can pursue a fair settlement that covers all your needs. We will carefully evaluate your damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and emotional distress. Insurance companies may be more willing to settle out of court if it is clear that their client violates FMCSA regulations, thereby ensuring prompt compensation.

Under Illinois law, truck accident victims have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Wrongful death claims also have a two-year statute of limitations (740 ILCS 180/). Contact us immediately to ensure we have time to review your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the penalty for a CDL driver caught using a cell phone while driving?

Up to $2,750 per violation for the driver. Employers who allow or require it can be fined up to $11,000. Repeat violations can also lead to a CDL disqualification.

Can a CDL be suspended for cell phone violations?

Yes. A second violation within three years leads to at least a 60-day disqualification, and a third leads to at least 120 days.

Are truck drivers allowed to use hands-free devices?

Yes, but only if the device is mounted, operable with a single button, and doesn’t require the driver to leave a seated, belted position. Voice-activated tools like Siri or Alexa are allowed under these conditions.

Can a trucking company be held responsible if a driver was on the phone during a crash?

Yes. Companies can be held both vicariously and directly liable, especially if they failed to enforce their own cell phone policy or ignored warning signs like repeated violations or dashcam footage showing distracted driving.

Book a Free Case Review

A Chicago traffic crash lawyer from our firm will thoroughly review your case and uncover strong evidence that the driver was violating the cell phone policy for CDL drivers, which improves your chance of receiving the funds you need to heal.

We are a Super Lawyers® firm with a perfect 10/10 AVVO rating, known for our compassionate and client-centered approach. You will receive personalized care from our award-winning attorneys, who will manage all third-party communications so that you can focus on recovery. We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorneys.

Legally Reviewed By
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld

Content legally reviewed by Jonathan Rosenfeld This page has been reviewed for legal accuracy by Jonathan Rosenfeld, a Chicago personal injury attorney with nearly 25 years of experience representing people injured in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and rideshare accidents. Jonathan has recovered more than $450 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients and families in Chicago. He holds a 10/10 rating on Avvo, is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers. Jonathan leads the firm’s approach to holding insurance carriers and corporate defendants accountable for serious traffic injuries.

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