South Carolina Department of Public Safety

Rule Changes

Enforcing hands-free law; citations begin February 28, 2026

Iowa and Louisiana began enforcing handheld phone bans on January 1, 2026. 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 June 5—bringing the total to 33 states banning handheld device use while driving.

Updated May 20