Skip to content

Driving offence

Mobile phone driving offence sentence

Choose the factors in the court guideline and enter weekly net income where it applies.

What does the court guideline say?

The result shows the guideline category, starting point and range. It is not a prediction of the court's decision.

Ordinary seriousness

Sentencing Council guideline

Category
Ordinary seriousness
Starting point
Band B fine
Sentence range
Discharge to Band C fine
Disqualification
No numerical range published
Penalty points
6 points unless the court disqualifies
Fine percentage
100% starting point; 75% to 125% band range
Fine band calculation before any statutory maximum
£500.00 starting point; £375.00 to £625.00
Calculation details

Assumptions

  • Fine amounts shown are calculated from the weekly net income entered and the published fine band percentages.

What is not included

  • The court considers aggravating and mitigating factors, previous convictions, a guilty plea and the offender's means.
  • Any statutory maximum shown on the page caps the cash fine. The maximum can depend on the vehicle class.
  • This is the guideline, not a prediction of the sentence a court will impose.

Summary: The fixed penalty is £200 and 6 points. In court the ordinary starting point is a Band B fine, raised to Band C for the factors stated in the guideline. This is an adult magistrates' court guideline for England and Wales.

Checked on .

Guideline categories and sentence ranges

Use of mobile telephone while driving, effective 4 August 2008
CategoryStarting pointSentence rangeDisqualificationPoints
Ordinary seriousnessBand B fineDischarge to Band C fineNo numerical range published6 points unless the court disqualifies
Higher seriousnessBand C fineDischarge to Band C fineNo numerical range published6 points unless the court disqualifies

Which factors does the guideline use?

  • Use Band C where there is a high level of traffic or pedestrians, or for a repeat offence.

Why is this not a sentence prediction?

  • The court decides the sentence. This calculator reports the guideline and is not a prediction.
  • The court may disqualify instead of imposing 6 points.

Common questions

What is the fixed penalty for using a phone?
It is £200 and 6 points.
Can a court ban the driver?
Yes. GOV.UK says a court can disqualify the driver.

Related pages

Sources

Guideline and penalty figures were checked against the linked official pages on 10 September 2026.