Using your phone in the car: mounts, wireless charging and what French traffic law says

Yes, you can use your phone as a GPS in the car, as long as it sits in a mount and you never hold it in your hand. The French Highway Code bans handheld phones and earpieces, but allows GPS navigation and hands-free kits built into the vehicle.

In this guide, we cover what is allowed, what is not, and how to set up a mount with wireless charging so you can drive with peace of mind.

What exactly does French traffic law say about phones at the wheel?

The main rule is in Article R412-6-1 of the French Highway Code (Légifrance). The French road safety authority (Sécurité routière) sums it up clearly in its “Phone and driving” leaflet.

It is forbidden to:

• drive with a phone in your hand, handle it or look at it;
• wear any device that emits sound in your ear: earpiece, headset or earphones;
• place a working screen in the driver's field of view if it is not a driving or navigation aid.

However, Sécurité routière states that kits built into cars (or into motorcycle helmets) remain allowed, even though they are not recommended.

Sources checked on 8 October 2026: Légifrance, Art. R412-6-1; securite-routiere.gouv.fr.

What are the penalties?

Penalties depend on the offence. Here is the summary published by Sécurité routière.

Situation	Allowed?	Penalty
Phone held in hand (call, text, checking it)	No	€135 fixed fine and 3 points deducted. A licence suspension may be added.
Earpiece, headset or earphones	No	€135 fixed fine and 3 points deducted for drivers of motor vehicles.
Screen in the field of view that is not a driving or navigation aid (a video, for example)	No	Fine of up to €1,500 and 3 points deducted.
GPS shown on a phone held in a mount	Yes	None, as long as you don't handle it while driving.
Hands-free kit built into the car	Yes (not recommended)	None.

One more important point: if using a handheld phone comes with another offence at the same time, your licence can be withheld on the spot, according to Sécurité routière.

Source: Sécurité routière, “Phone and driving”, checked on 8 October 2026.

Why is using a phone while driving so dangerous?

Because it takes your attention away, even for a few seconds. According to Sécurité routière, phoning while driving triples the risk of an accident. That risk is multiplied by 23 when the driver reads a text message (source checked on 8 October 2026).

Reading a message means taking your eyes off the road. At normal speed, the car keeps moving the whole time.

Am I allowed to use my phone as a GPS?

Yes. The rule targets screens that are not a driving or navigation aid. A route displayed on your smartphone is precisely a navigation aid.

The condition is that the phone is not held in your hand. So it needs to sit in a mount. And you set your route before you leave, not while driving.

The problem: a phone left on the passenger seat slides off at the first bend, and the GPS talks to you from the floor. The solution: a car mount with wireless charger that keeps the phone in place and the route in front of you.

Where should you put the mount in the car?

A few simple guidelines:

• Fit it where a quick glance is enough, without turning your head.
• Make sure it doesn't block the road, the dials or an air vent you use a lot.
• Check that it doesn't get in the way of the controls (gear lever, dashboard screen, buttons).
• Make sure the phone is held securely before you set off.

The Packune mount comes with two fixing options, depending on the variant: air vent or dashboard. Choose the one that best suits your car's layout.

How do you charge your phone in the car without trailing cables?

GPS and Bluetooth drain the battery. On a long drive, your phone can quickly drop into the red.

There are two options:

• Wireless (induction) charging: you place the phone in the mount and it charges. No cable to plug in at every stop.
• A cable: simple and universal, but you have to plug it in and it can end up dangling between the seats.

The Packune car mount charges by induction (5 V output). It works with smartphones that support wireless charging. So check that your model supports it before using it.

What about passengers in the back?

Passengers are allowed to use their phones. They just need to charge them.

The problem: in the back, everyone has a different phone and nobody has the right connector. The solution: the 3-in-1 retractable cable, with Lightning, USB-C and Micro-USB tips and a length of up to 2 m to reach the back seat.

Checklist: your phone properly set up before you hit the road

• ☐ The phone is held in a mount, never left on a seat or on your lap.
• ☐ The route is set before you start driving.
• ☐ “Driving Focus” or “Do Not Disturb while driving” (or equivalent) is on, if your phone offers it.
• ☐ No earpiece or earphones.
• ☐ No video or non-navigation app on screen.
• ☐ Charging is set up for long journeys.
• ☐ Passengers' cables are tidied away and don't get in the driver's way.

The problem: cables and chargers pile up in the glove box and tangle into a knot just when you need them. The solution: keep them together in an organizer pouch, where every cable has its place.

To go further, check out our 7 simple ways to organize your cables and chargers.

What if I really need to answer a call?

The safest option is not to answer and to call back later. If the call is important, park somewhere safe and legal, with the engine off, before picking up the phone.

You can also let a passenger answer for you. And if your car has a built-in hands-free kit, it remains allowed, even though Sécurité routière advises against it.

FAQ: phones in the car

Is a phone mount allowed in the car?

Yes. What is banned is holding the phone, handling it or looking at it while driving. A mount lets you keep your hands on the wheel, with the GPS in view.

Can I touch my phone when it's in the mount?

The rule bans handling the phone while driving. Set your route before you leave, and stop somewhere safe if you need to change it.

Are Bluetooth earphones allowed while driving?

No. Wearing a sound-emitting device in your ear (earpiece, headset, earphones) is forbidden. The fixed fine is €135, with 3 points deducted for drivers of motor vehicles.

Can I watch a video on my phone while driving?

No. A screen in the driver's field of view is only allowed if it serves as a driving or navigation aid. The fine can reach €1,500, with 3 points deducted.

Does wireless charging work with every phone?

No, only with smartphones that support wireless charging. Check your phone's specifications before buying an induction mount.

In short

Phone in hand or earphones: banned. GPS on a mount: allowed. A mount with wireless charging keeps the route in front of you, your hands on the wheel and your battery going for the whole trip.

Discover all our accessories for the car, travel and the office, with free shipping: visit the Packune store.