Over 20,000 Mobile Phone Offences Logged in London – What It Means for Drivers

New figures from the Metropolitan Police show that 20,050 drivers in London were caught using handheld mobile phones while driving over a two-year period, from April 2023 to March 2025. This follows a 2022 update to the law that made any handheld use while driving—such as checking messages, scrolling, or taking photos—an offence. The penalty is currently a £200 fine and six penalty points.
The offences were spread across two years, with 11,396 recorded in 2023–24, and a further 8,654 the following year.
Police recorded offences in two main ways:
• 10,563 came from Traffic Offence Reports (TORs), issued by officers at the roadside
• 9,487 were from public reports, such as dashcam or mobile footage submitted by other road users
Out of the Traffic Offence Reports:
• 4,733 drivers paid the fine
• 5,059 didn’t respond, leading to potential prosecution and a possible £1,000 court fine
From public reports:
• 4,143 drivers received advisory letters
• 2,782 were referred for prosecution
There were also 51 cases where fines were issued to supervisors of learner drivers who were using their phones. Since supervisors are considered legally responsible for the vehicle, they’re also subject to mobile phone restrictions and penalties being a £200 and six points in each case.
Altogether, these offences led to more than £4 million in fixed penalty notices issued across the capital. As transport and motoring lawyers, this reflects a sustained enforcement effort, an increasing reliance on public evidence, and a likely rise in cases involving both individual and commercial drivers. It’s also a timely reminder that supervisors of learners need to be as careful as drivers themselves when it comes to mobile phone use.
Many of these prosecutions rely on body worn camera footage, often from cyclists who submit video evidence to the Police. A conviction or fixed penalty for these offences can have serious consequences for drivers, particularly those who drive professionally. Most local councils, and TfL, include a provision for the revocation of a Private Hire Licence for this type of offence. Driving Instructors face being struck off by the Registrar and HGV / PSV Drivers are likely to be called to the Traffic Commissioner.
For advice and representation relating to a mobile phone offence, call our team today.