BuckledAppBuckledApp: Drive without Distractions

Is Michigan a hands-free state?

Yes. Since June 30, 2023, Michigan bans holding or manually using a phone or other mobile electronic device while driving, as a primary offense. A ticket is $100 for a first offense.

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Michigan phone and texting rules while driving

Holding a phone, or using one by hand to call, text, browse, record or watch video, is illegal while driving, including at red lights.

Hands-free calls and a single touch or swipe to start or end a feature are allowed.

Calling 911 to report an emergency is always allowed.

How much is a phone ticket in Michigan?

A first offense is a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service; a second or later is $250 and/or 24 hours.

Rules for teen drivers in Michigan

Under Kelsey’s Law, drivers with a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated license may not use a phone at all while driving, not even hands-free.

Following the law without relying on willpower

BuckledApp locks TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and games as soon as the car reaches 20 MPH, and keeps them locked for the driver until the car stops. Maps, music and calls stay available, so the phone stays useful and legal.

A 2.5-second seatbelt selfie tells the driver from passengers, so passengers get their apps back right away. Parents and fleets see that every check passed.

About this page

Summary of Michigan law, last reviewed October 2026. Local ordinances can be stricter, and fines and court costs change over time. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the sources below or your state DMV for the current rules.

Sources

Make the phone enforce it

BuckledApp verifies the seatbelt at 20 MPH and locks distracting apps until the car stops. Free trial.

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Questions we get asked

Is Michigan a hands-free state?

Yes. Since June 30, 2023, Michigan bans holding or manually using a phone or other mobile electronic device while driving, as a primary offense.

What is the fine for using a phone while driving in Michigan?

A first offense is a $100 fine and/or 16 hours of community service; a second or later is $250 and/or 24 hours.

Can teens use a phone while driving in Michigan?

Under Kelsey’s Law, drivers with a Level 1 or Level 2 graduated license may not use a phone at all while driving, not even hands-free.

Questions people search for

Can my teen bypass the phone lock during an emergency?

Yes. Emergency calling is never blocked, and the Phone app remains available for calls. Navigation apps such as Apple Maps, Google Maps and Waze, plus music and podcast apps, stay accessible during Driver Focus. Only distracting apps — social media, video and games — are locked while the vehicle is moving, and they unlock automatically once the car has stopped.

What exactly is Driver Focus?

Driver Focus is the mode BuckledApp enters after the seatbelt check identifies the phone’s owner as the driver. Distracting apps stay locked for the whole drive. When the vehicle has stopped and you have left the car, or after a short countdown at a full stop, the lock lifts automatically. There is no button to skip it — that is the point.