California statute
Cal. Vehicle Code § 23123
Current through 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12)
Part of Article 1: Driving Offenses, California Vehicle Code.
Full text of Cal. Vehicle Code § 23123
Statutory text current through the 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of California.
(a) A person shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving. (b) A violation of this section is an infraction punishable by a base fine of twenty dollars ($20) for a first offense and fifty dollars ($50) for each subsequent offense. (c) This section does not apply to a person using a wireless telephone for emergency purposes, including, but not limited to, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity. (d) This section does not apply to an emergency services professional using a wireless telephone while operating an authorized emergency vehicle, as defined in Section 165, in the course and scope of his or her duties. (e) This section does not apply to a person driving a schoolbus or transit vehicle that is subject to Section 23125. (f) This section does not apply to a person while driving a motor vehicle on private property. (g) This section shall become operative on July 1, 2011.
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