Is it illegal to drive with headphones?
2 Answers
Driving with wired headphones is not considered illegal, unless it involves actions that hinder safe driving, such as making or receiving handheld phone calls, i.e., taking hands off the steering wheel. When driving with headphones, it is important to control the volume. Due to the confined space inside the car, high volume sound waves can harm auditory health and easily divert attention, endangering driving safety. The following behaviors are prohibited while driving a motor vehicle: 1. Driving with doors or compartments not properly closed; 2. Hanging or placing items within the front or rear windows of the vehicle that obstruct the driver's view; 3. Making or receiving handheld phone calls, watching TV, or other actions that hinder safe driving; 4. Turning off the engine or coasting in neutral on steep slopes; 5. Throwing items onto the road; 6. Driving continuously for more than 4 hours without stopping to rest or resting for less than 20 minutes; 7. Honking the horn in areas or sections where it is prohibited.
Is wearing headphones while driving considered a traffic violation? I’ve actually encountered a similar situation. From a legal perspective, China’s traffic safety regulations do not explicitly prohibit wearing headphones, but they do require drivers to maintain focus and avoid external distractions. Once, I tried using headphones for navigation while driving and nearly missed an ambulance siren, which could have led to a dangerous situation. Police may issue fines or deduct points based on relevant clauses, such as distracted driving. Enforcement varies by region—some cities handle it strictly. For safety, I recommend avoiding headphones: hearing environmental sounds is crucial, especially in heavy traffic. Using car speakers or phone hands-free is a safer alternative. Developing good habits to avoid fines is key.
