If you live or drive in South Carolina, a major change to the state’s traffic laws is coming. Beginning September 1, 2025, the new Hands Free Driving Act will make it illegal for most drivers to use handheld electronic devices while their vehicle is in motion. The goal is simple: reduce distracted driving and make our roads safer.
This law will affect almost every driver in the state, from commuters to delivery workers to rideshare drivers. The good news is you have time to prepare. The first six months will serve as an adjustment period with warnings instead of tickets. Keep reading to learn what is prohibited, what is still allowed, how the penalties work, and how you can stay in compliance. If you have questions about how this law could affect your driving record, contact Truslow & Truslow PA for guidance.
Key Dates for the Hands Free Driving Act in South Carolina
The law officially begins on September 1, 2025. From that date forward, drivers cannot hold or support a phone or other electronic device while operating a vehicle.
For the first 180 days, which takes us to March 30, 2026, law enforcement officers will issue warnings only. This grace period is designed to give drivers and businesses time to understand and adapt to the new rules.
Starting March 31, 2026, full enforcement begins. At that point, citations and penalties will apply for violations.
What Is Prohibited Under the New Law
The law takes a strict approach to handheld device use. You cannot hold or support a mobile phone or tablet in any way while driving, even if you are resting it on your lap.
You may not type, read, or send text messages or emails. You may not interact with apps or websites. Watching videos, video calling, playing games, or viewing any moving images on a device while driving is also banned.
Even quick glances to scroll through music or notifications can put you in violation. The rule is clear: if your hand is holding or supporting the device while the vehicle is moving, you are breaking the law.
What You Can Still Do Under the Hands Free Rules
The law is not intended to prevent safe communication or navigation. Drivers are still allowed to use voice activated features, Bluetooth systems, smartwatches, or earpieces for calls.
Listening to music, podcasts, or using GPS navigation is permitted as long as you do not physically handle the device while the vehicle is moving.
Emergency exceptions apply. You can use your device to report an accident, call for medical assistance, or report hazards to law enforcement. You may also use your phone if your vehicle is parked in a legal and safe location. Law enforcement officers and certain official workers have additional allowances while performing their duties.
Penalties and Enforcement of the Hands Free Act
Once the grace period ends, the penalties will be straightforward. A first offense comes with a one hundred dollar fine but no points on your license. A second or subsequent offense within three years carries a two hundred dollar fine and adds two points to your driving record. Only prior violations within the past three years count toward repeat offenses.
Fines cannot be reduced or suspended. Officers cannot stop you based on suspicion alone. They must actually see you holding a device in violation of the law. They also cannot search your phone or vehicle for this specific offense and cannot make a custodial arrest solely because of it.
Why South Carolina Passed This Law
Distracted driving remains a serious problem in the state. More than twenty thousand crashes each year in South Carolina involve some form of distraction. On a national scale, distraction played a role in about eight percent of fatal crashes and eleven percent of all crashes in 2022.
The move also follows federal pressure. States that fail to address distracted driving risk losing significant federal highway funding, in this case between fifty and eighty million dollars. South Carolina’s new law is meant to improve safety while also protecting that funding.
How to Stay Compliant With the New Hands Free Rules
There are simple steps you can take now to make sure you are ready before tickets start in March 2026.
- Install a phone mount or dashboard cradle so you never have to hold your device
- Set up Bluetooth or a hands free earpiece for calls
- Use voice commands for texts and navigation
- Program routes, playlists, and settings before you put your car in gear
- Pull over in a safe location if you must physically use your phone
- If you manage a business with drivers, start training them now so they form safe habits before penalties begin
Final Takeaway and Next Steps
South Carolina’s Hands Free Driving Act is a big step toward reducing distracted driving. The six month grace period is your chance to make adjustments without financial consequences. Starting March 31, 2026, violations can mean fines and points on your record that may affect your insurance and driving privileges.
Do not wait until the last minute to change your habits. Make the switch to hands free now and protect both your wallet and your safety. If you have questions about how this law might impact you or if you need help dealing with a citation, contact Truslow & Truslow PA for experienced legal guidance.