49 CFR § 392.80 - Prohibition against texting.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t49/s392.80"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "49 CFR § 392.80 - Prohibition against texting."
title_number: 49
title_name: "Transportation"
section_number: "392.80"
section_name: "Prohibition against texting."
chapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY REGULATIONS"
part_number: "392"
part_name: "DRIVING OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 504, 13902, 31136, 31151, 31502; Section 112 of Pub. L. 103-311, 108 Stat. 1673, 1676 (1994), as amended by sec. 32509 of Pub. L. 112-141, 126 Stat. 405-805 (2012); and 49 CFR 1.87."
regulatory_source: "33 FR 19732, Dec. 25, 1968, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "392"
---


# 392.80 Prohibition against texting.

(a) *Prohibition.* No driver shall engage in texting while driving.

(b) *Motor carriers.* No motor carrier shall allow or require its drivers to engage in texting while driving.

(c) *Definition.* For the purpose of this section only, *driving* means operating a commercial motor vehicle, with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays. Driving does not include operating a commercial motor vehicle with or without the motor running when the driver moved the vehicle to the side of, or off, a highway, as defined in 49 CFR 390.5, and halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

(d) *Emergency exception.* Texting while driving is permissible by drivers of a commercial motor vehicle when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.

[75 FR 59136, Sept. 27, 2010, as amended at 76 FR 75487, Dec. 2, 2011]