Colorado’s Hands-Free Law: What Teen Drivers Need to Know in 2025

When you’re learning to drive, some lessons are so important they follow you long after you earn your license. Keeping both hands—and your full attention—on the wheel is one of them. As of January 1, 2025, Colorado’s Hands-Free Law makes it official: no holding, tapping, or scrolling on your phone while driving.

At Anshor Driving School, we want to help you stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re just starting out or settling into the driver’s seat for the first time, knowing the rules now can save you from bigger headaches down the road.

What the Hands-Free Law Says

Here’s the bottom line: in Colorado, you can’t hold or manually use a cellphone while driving. That includes texting, browsing playlists, adjusting GPS, or even answering a quick call. And no, sitting at a red light doesn’t give you a free pass—if you’re behind the wheel, the hands-free rule still applies.

If you want to use your phone for directions or music, you’ll need a hands-free setup. That could mean using Bluetooth, dashboard mounts, or built-in vehicle controls that let you operate your phone without touching it.

For drivers under 18, the rules are even tighter: no phone use at all, hands-free or not, except in an emergency. It’s strict for a reason. Distraction can sneak up faster than you realize, and when it does, it’s about as difficult to recover from as a car that’s started to hydroplane.

The goal is simple—keep your focus where it belongs: on the road, not your screen.

Why It Matters for Teen Drivers in Colorado

When you’re just starting out, every mile behind the wheel is a new lesson. It’s not just about learning how to merge or where to stop—it’s about building habits that will stick for life. And distraction? That’s one habit that can turn dangerous fast.

The truth is, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes for young drivers. It doesn’t take much—a buzz from your pocket, a glance at the wrong moment—and suddenly you’re missing a stop sign or drifting into another lane. It’s a lot like hydroplaning: once you lose that grip on the road, getting it back isn’t guaranteed.

The Hands-Free Law isn’t just another rule to memorize. It’s there to help you protect your license, your passengers, and yourself. If you make staying focused your default setting now, you’ll be a safer, stronger driver for the long haul.

Quick Tips to Stay Hands-Free

Staying hands-free isn’t just about following the letter of the law—it’s about setting yourself up to win before you even shift into drive.

Here are a few ways to make it easy on yourself:

• Set it before you drive: Plug in your destination, pick your playlist, and turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode before you even leave the driveway.
  
• Mount it: Use a dashboard or windshield mount so you can glance at directions safely without juggling your phone.
  
• Pull over if you must: If something’s urgent, find a safe spot to stop. No message is worth risking it.
  

Building these habits now is one lesson you’ll thank yourself for every time you hit the road.

Final Thoughts on the New Hands-Free Law

Driving safely isn’t just about checking off rules—it’s about practicing the kind of habits that will keep you and everyone around you safe. Colorado’s Hands-Free Law is a reminder that even one quick glance away can change everything.

By staying focused now, you’re building the kind of good habits that will outlast your first license and every car you’ll ever drive. When you’re ready for more lessons that stick with you, we’ll be here to help.