An Austin ordinance requiring drivers to use a hands-free system, such as Bluetooth, headphones, or an affixed GPS system, went into effect January 1st, 2014. We learned after the month-long grace period, from February 1, 2014 – December 23, 2015, 5,043 citations were filed in Austin Municipal Court.
The fines, classified as Class C misdemeanors, can be up to $500.