Iowa General Assembly

Rule Changes

Passed hands-free law after seven years of attempts

Iowa and Louisiana flipped the switch simultaneously on January 1, 2026, ending warning periods and imposing fines on drivers caught holding phones behind the wheel. Iowa issues $100 base fines after distributing 10,000 warnings since July; Louisiana charges the same after a five-month grace period starting August 2025. South Carolina follows February 28, and Pennsylvania joins the enforcement wave June 5. The coordinated timing signals a nationwide reckoning—33 states now ban handheld device use while driving.

Updated Jan 30