California Hands

Hands Free
In California, cell phones may not be held and used while the driver drives. A cell phone may be used only if it is used with the hands-free option. The fine for holding and using a cell phone while driving is $20 for the first infraction and $50 for subsequent incidences. Subsequent penalties may substantially increase those amounts.
Exceptions
There are exceptions in California for holding and using a cell phone while driving. Fines do not apply when a person uses a cell phone or wireless device to reach emergency services such as a health care provider, law enforcement or the fire department. Fines also do not apply to those using a cell or wireless telephone while authorized as the driver of an emergency vehicle.In addition, the law does not apply to those on private property nor, generally, to those driving a transit vehicle or school bus. Some farm vehicles and tow trucks are also exempt from the ban on cell phone use while driving.
Age Restrictions
California more tightly restricts drivers under 18 when it comes to cell phone use. Those under 18 are completely banned from using a cell phone or any other electronic hand-held device while driving, even those with hands-free options.
Primary and Secondary
For an adult California driver, holding and using a cell phone while driving is a primary offense. This means a patrolman can flag and cite you just for using the cell phone without the hands-free option. For those under 18, holding and using a cell phone while driving is a secondary offense. This means the teen driver cannot be pulled over simply for holding a cell phone and using it while driving. The police must have another, primary reason for pulling the teenage driver over, such as speeding or driving recklessly.
Dialing
California law does not ban a driver from holding and dialing a phone while driving. A cell phone driver is also allowed to use a speaker phone.