12 Nov 2025, 11:09 AM IST i Texting And Driving in the US Texting while driving is illegal in nearly every US state. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 49 states have banned the practice. Montana is the only state that has not imposed a complete ban on the practice. On the other hand, Missouri restricts texting while driving only for commercial drivers and those under 21 years of age. Violators in other states face significant fines and legal consequences. Tesla Drivers Must Still Watch The Road Currently, Tesla owners are required to stay attentive even when the car is in self-driving mode. USA Today reported several instances of Tesla drivers being penalised for sleeping behind the wheel while the car was on autopilot. In Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode, drivers can operate hands-free, but they must keep their eyes on the road and occasionally touch the steering wheel. If a driver tries to use a phone while FSD is active, the Autopilot system detects this and issues a warning, according to Mashable. ALSO READ