Driving telephone: driving license can be suspended in case of traffic offenses

Provisions laid down

The decree provides for the retention of the driving license for drivers holding a telephone in their hand and committing at the same time another violation of the highway code in terms of driving rules, speed, crossing, overtaking, intersection and passing priorities. This detention may be followed by a suspension of the driving license for a maximum period of six months.

This measure has been in effect since May 22, 2020.

List of infringements concerned

• failure to comply with driving rules (failure to comply with the obligation to drive on the right side of the road, failure to use the indicator light);

• non-compliance with safety distances;
• crossing/overlapping of continuous lines and lines delimiting emergency stop strips;
• non-compliance with traffic lights (red and yellow);
• failure to comply with the overtaking rules (dangerous overtaking, overtaking from the right, overtaking from the left impeding oncoming traffic, overtaking without sufficient visibility towards the front, overtaking driver not gripping his right);
• failure to comply with signs requiring stopping or giving way;
• non-compliance with pedestrian crossing priority;
• failure to comply with the speeds (exceeding the maximum speed permitted in or outside built-up areas, speed which is excessive or inappropriate in the circumstances).