A new hands-free driving law will take effect on September 1, 2025, in South Carolina. This law will impact over 4 million licensed drivers, and those found breaking it will face $100-$200 fines and license points.
Why South Carolina Passed the Hands-Free Driving Law
South Carolina passed the hands-free driving law because distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of accidents in the state. According to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), over 200,000 crashes caused by distracted driving are reported annually.
Governor Henry McMaster called the law “common sense.”
“To see some of our people unnecessarily hurt, damaged, to see families suffer from acts of inattention, it’s something that’s just a crying shame,” he added.
The enactment of this law now makes South Carolina the 33rd state in the nation to adopt a hands-free driving law.
What the New Law Bans
After the enforcement of the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, it will be illegal for drivers to:
- Hold or support a phone with their hands while driving.
- Text, email, scroll social media, play games, watch videos, or use any other apps while driving.
- Additionally, even holding a phone at a stop sign or red light could get you pulled over and arrested.
What Drivers Can Still Do
It is important to understand that the law does not ban drivers from using their phones. Instead, it enhances hands-free driving and therefore, a driver may still:
- Receive hands-free calls via Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, or AndroidAuto.
- Activate voice-to-text messaging.
- Follow GPS navigation if the phone is mounted and not touched.
- Use devices while legally parked.
- Call 911 in case of an emergency.
Warning Period Before Strict Enforcement
Robert Woods, the director of DPS, acknowledged that the drivers would need time to adapt to changing driving habits. “We recognize that this law will cause a very significant change in driving habits for many drivers. So, we will educate first. We are confident this law will prevent collisions and save lives,” he said.
To allow time for educating drivers and allowing them to conform to the new driving habits, the full enforcement of the law would begin on February 28, 2026. This means that there will be a 180-day grace period.
During the full enforcement of the law, first offenders would get a $100 fine, while second and subsequent offenders would get a $200 fine plus two license points.
The Real-Life Cost of Distracted Driving
Besides the number of accidents caused by drunk driving, a tragedy in 2017 fueled the enactment of the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act. In 2017, Dale Willenburg, an avid cyclist, was hit and killed by a distracted driver. The driver admitted that he was looking at his phone.
During the signing ceremony, her widow, Kelly Willenberg, said that the bill is not just legislation but a vow to protect lives on the roads.
How the State Plans to Inform Drivers
Before the full enforcement of the law begins, South Carolina is already rolling out a statewide education campaign. All road users will see reminders through highway signs, digital message boards, social media posts, billboards, welcome center notices, and radio ads.
What South Carolina Drivers Should Do Now
If you are a driver in South Carolina, here are the necessary steps to take immediately to ensure that you are adhering to the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act:
- Mount your phone on your dashboard or windscreen to be able to use GPS without touching it.
- Set navigation or playlists before driving.
- Use voice commands for calls and messages.
- Avoid the temptations of holding your phone while driving.
- Inform and educate other road users and visitors about the law.