Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to subnav
Searching 2023-2024 Session

The Vermont Statutes Online

The Vermont Statutes Online does not include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly. We expect them to be updated by November 1st.

NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.

Title 23 : Motor Vehicles

Chapter 039 : Commercial Driver's License Act

(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 4125)
  • § 4125. Texting violations; handheld mobile telephone violations

    (a) Definitions. As used in this section, “driving” means operating a commercial motor vehicle on a public highway, 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 operator has moved the vehicle to the side of or off a highway and has halted in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary.

    (b) General prohibition on texting.

    (1) No operator shall engage in texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

    (2) Texting while driving is permissible by operators of a commercial motor vehicle when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.

    (3) No person may be issued traffic complaints alleging a violation of this section and a violation of section 1099 of this title from the same incident.

    (c) General prohibition on use of handheld mobile telephones.

    (1) No operator shall use a handheld mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

    (2) Use of a handheld mobile telephone is permissible by operators of a commercial motor vehicle when necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services.

    (d) Motor carriers.

    (1) A motor carrier shall not allow or require its drivers to engage in texting while driving a commercial motor vehicle.

    (2) A motor carrier shall not allow or require its drivers to use a handheld mobile telephone while driving a commercial motor vehicle. (Added 2013, No. 20, § 1; amended 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 254.)