Many Ontario drivers assume that a car wash is a harmless place to check a text or answer a quick call.
But when your vehicle is moving through a car wash, your attention still needs to stay fully focused on the process. In Ontario, driving on private property does not automatically mean you’re exempt from distracted driving laws. If the area is open to the public, such as shopping plazas, parking lots, gas station forecourts, drive-through lanes and car wash queues and buildings, are all enforceable zones, meaning the police can treat it like a roadway and issues fines under Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
A car wash is not the place to multitask
Drivers need to stay alert of their surroundings, keep their vehicle properly positioned, and be ready to react if something unexpected happens. While incidents in car washes are rare relative to the number of vehicles washed, 90% of incidents that do occur are linked to distracted driving and, in most cases, were avoidable.
Ontario law prohibits using a hand-held phone or communication device while driving anywhere the public is allowed to drive, and even simply holding a phone is against the law. Limited hands-free use is permitted, but if you are not safely parked, the rules still apply.
In a car wash, you are still operating the vehicle and must remain alert. Ontario’s distracted driving laws are intended to prevent hand-held device use while driving, and provincial guidance warns against phone use unless you are legally parked. Penalties can include fines, demerit points, licence suspensions, and increased insurance premiums.
Why Ontario Drivers Should Avoid Phone Use in a Car Wash
In a car wash, drivers need to stay very attentive from start to finish. You may need to follow instructions, ensure your vehicle remains aligned on the conveyor, and be ready to react if anything unexpected happens.
Even a small movement of the steering wheel, pressing the brake, or failing to keep the car in neutral can cause the vehicle to move off the track, and increase the risk of damage or an accident. If there is an emergency during your car wash at Valet Car Wash, you must immediately honk in order to alert staff to stop the conveyor right away.
For that reason, Ontario drivers should avoid using their phones while in a car wash. The safest choice is to put the phone away, stay focused, and keep your attention on the wash until your vehicle has completely cleared the conveyor, and until you are safely parked.
The Safe Rule to Remember
The short answer to the question, “is it illegal to use a cell phone in a car wash?” The answer is yes, it is illegal in Ontario to use a cell phone in a car wash. So to avoid a ticket and a potential incident, when you’re in a car wash in Ontario, treat it like a no-phone zone. You need to remain attentive, keep your car in neutral, ensure your steering wheel stays centred, and be ready to respond if you need the staff to stop the wash.