On September 1, 2025, South Carolina’s Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act went into effect. For the first 180 days after the law went into effect, South Carolina law enforcement only issued warnings for violations of the hands-free law.
Starting on February 26, 2026, which marks day 180, violations of this law may result in a fine and points against your driver’s license.
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.
To learn more about the hands-free law and the fees for violating the law, click here.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: South Carolina Department of Public Safety)