SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cdl-texting-prohibited

Under federal rules, may a CMV driver text while stopped at a red light?

No, stopped at a light still counts as driving.

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  1. Yes, the truck is not moving
  2. Yes, if the parking brake is set
  3. No, that still counts as driving ✔

Why: The federal texting ban counts being stopped for traffic or a signal as driving. You must pull off the road and stop safely first. Contacting police or emergency services is the only exception.

Huh, didn't know that: Federal rules count email, instant messages and opening a web page as texting.

The dad joke
Why did the phone get fired? It kept texting on the job.
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References

Answer: No, that still counts as driving. The federal texting ban counts being stopped for traffic or a signal as driving. You must pull off the road and stop safely first. Contacting police or emergency services is the only exception.

  1. 49 CFR 392.80 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-392.80
    driving means operating a commercial motor vehicle, with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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