Truck drivers spend hours on the phone with dispatch, shippers and family, so it matters exactly what the law allows. Here is what the main rules say in the USA, Ontario and British Columbia, with links to the official sources. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change, so always check the current law where you drive.
United States: FMCSA rules for commercial drivers
If you drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's mobile phone rule (49 CFR 392.82) applies:
- No hand-held phone use while driving. You can't hold a phone to talk, dial by pressing more than one button, or reach for a phone in a way that takes you out of a normal seated, belted position.
- Hands-free is allowed. You can use a hands-free device with voice activation or one-touch to start, answer or end a call, with the phone mounted close to you.
- No texting. Texting while driving a CMV is banned under a separate rule (49 CFR 392.80).
- Penalties. FMCSA lists civil penalties of up to $2,750 for drivers and disqualification for repeat offences. Carriers that allow or require hand-held use can also be fined.
- Emergencies. Using a hand-held phone is allowed when needed to contact police or emergency services.
Source: FMCSA: Distracted Driving.
State headphone rules
On top of the federal rule, many states have their own laws on wearing headphones or earbuds while driving, and some ban covering both ears. The details differ from state to state, so check the DMV or state police website for each state on your route. A single-ear headset used hands-free is the safest choice across most jurisdictions.
Canada: Ontario
- Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (section 78.1), you can't hold or use a hand-held phone or entertainment device while driving, even when stopped at a red light.
- Ontario allows hands-free wireless communication with an earpiece, lapel button or Bluetooth. You may touch the device only to turn hands-free mode on or off.
- For fully licensed drivers, a first conviction can bring a fine of up to $1,000 ($615 if settled out of court), 3 demerit points and a 3-day licence suspension.
- You can still be charged with careless driving if any distraction, including a hands-free device, puts others at risk.
Source: Ontario.ca: Distracted driving.
Canada: British Columbia
- BC's Motor Vehicle Act bans hand-held electronic devices while driving.
- Hands-free calls are allowed if the device is voice-activated or needs only one touch to start, answer or end a call, and is secured to the vehicle or your body.
- If you use an earpiece, it can be worn in one ear only and must be in place before you start driving.
- The fine is $368 plus 4 penalty points.
- Drivers in the graduated licensing program (L and N) can't use any electronic device, even hands-free.
Source: Government of BC: Use of electronic devices while driving.
Other provinces have their own distracted-driving rules. Check your provincial transportation ministry before you drive there.
Best practices for truckers
- Go hands-free. Use voice commands or one-touch answer, and keep your phone mounted.
- Use a single-ear headset. It keeps one ear open for traffic, sirens and air brakes, and meets the one-ear rules in places like BC.
- Set up before you roll. Pair your headset and put it on before you start driving.
- Keep calls short in heavy traffic, construction zones and bad weather.
- Check the rules on your route when you cross state or provincial lines.
A single-ear headset built for truckers
The LDAS TH11 trucker Bluetooth headset is a single-ear headset with a noise-cancelling boom mic and up to 40 hours of talk time, so you can take calls hands-free and keep one ear on the road. Compare it with other options in our Best Trucker Headsets for 2026 guide.
