Is it legal to read text messages in a car as long as the phone is fixed?

This marks the second time in just over a year that the fine rate has increased for using a handheld mobile phone while driving. On January 1, 2021, the fine rates increased from NOK 1,700 to NOK 5,000, along with the addition of three penalty points on the license. he recent increase amounts to 49 percent, bringing the fine to NOK 7,450, accompanied by three penalty points on the driver's license. ill result in a six-month suspension of your driver's license.

- Yes, it's becoming formidable amount. NOK 7,450 is a significant increase. I think it will attract attention and hopefully also encourage more people to comply with the rules, says Knut Smedsrud, head of the Norwegian National Road Policing Service, to NRK.

He believes that the high fine rate can have a preventive effect and reduce traffic accidents.

The head of the National Road Policing Service says that illegal use of mobile phones in cars is a major problem.

– Knowing that if you drive at 22 meters per second when driving at 80 km per hour, it goes without saying that being distracted by your mobile phone is dangerous. So this is the right prioritization.

According to the Norwegian Automobile Association (NAF), the main rule in the regulation on the use of mobile phones in the car is that you, as the driver, must not use a handheld mobile phone while driving. The prohibition applies to all operations of the phone's functions as long as the phone is considered handheld. In other words, you can use your phone legally:

• When the phone is securely placed in its own phone holder or connected to a hands-free system in the car, you are allowed to use it to receive, initiate, and end calls.
• When your phone is connected to a hands-free system, you can also manage and play audio files via your phone.

When the phone is placed in its own phone holder, you can enter phone numbers and start and end calls via the mobile phone screen. You can also start and end calls via a hands-free system when your phone is connected to it.

If you use a headset or earpiece equipped with a button for call management, you can receive calls through this system even if the phone is not in its holder. However, manually dialing on the phone itself is not permitted.

When playing audio files, such as listening to the radio and podcasts or playing music from Spotify and similar services, merely placing the phone in its holder is not sufficient. The phone must be connected to the hands-free system in the car via Bluetooth or similar technology. This means that you can only change songs and channels using buttons on the steering wheel or dashboard, or by voice control.

When the mobile phone is properly placed or connected to a hands-free system, you cannot:

• Write text messages or use social media on your mobile phone.
• Surf the internet.
• Actively operate functions on the phone for navigation.

This means that you are not allowed to text, check Facebook or surf on your mobile phone while driving, even if the mobile phone is properly placed or connected to a hands-free system.

It is not only the rates for mobile phone use that are being increased; From March 1st, the fine rates for other traffic violations have also been raised.
Here are the new fine rates:

• Illegal overtaking: NOK 7,250 + 3 penalty points
• Driving too close to the vehicle in front: NOK 7,250 + 3 penalty points
• Driving with a motor vehicle in a restricted area: NOK 4,450 + 3 penalty points
• Driving a modified moped or motorcycle: NOK 5,500 + 3 penalty points
• You have passengers under the age of 15 without a seat belt: NOK 2,450 + 2 penalty points.