On September 1, 2025, South Carolina’s Hand-Free and Distracted Driving Act will go into effect. Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving law, drivers are not allowed to:
- Hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body. (This does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or device worn on the wrist used for voice-based communication.)
- Use a mobile device to read, compose, or transmit texts, emails, app interactions, or website information.
- Watch motion on a mobile device, including a video, movie, game, or video call.
South Carolina law enforcement shall only issue warnings for violations of the hands-free law for the first 180 days after the law goes into effect. Violations of this law may result in a fine and points against your driver’s license.
To learn more about the new hands-free law and the fees for violating the law, click here.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: South Carolina Department of Public Safety)