Driving Tests

SC Hands-Free Law: What Is Allowed, $100 and $200 Fines

informational·how to guide·Published June 30, 2026

Can you hold your phone while driving in South Carolina, and what is the fine?

No. Since September 1, 2025, South Carolina law bans holding or supporting a phone with any part of your body while you drive. You also may not read, write or send text, or watch video. An earpiece, or maps and calls on a mounted phone with no typing, are allowed. A first offense is a $100 fine. A second offense within three years is $200 and two points.

Where the South Carolina hands-free facts come from

The ban, the exceptions, the fines and the police limits come from the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5 (Section 56-5-3890, as changed by 2025 Act No. 40). The summary for drivers comes from the SCDMV Driver's Manual. The point rules come from the SCDMV points system page and Title 56, Chapter 1. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the SCDMV (scdmvonline.com) before you drive.

What the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act bans

Holding a phone, or supporting it with any part of your body, such as your shoulder or lap.
Reading, writing or sending any text: a text message, an email, an app interaction or website information.
Watching a video, a movie, a game or a video call.
The ban covers every mobile electronic device: a cell phone, a portable computer, a GPS receiver, an electronic game and similar stand-alone devices.

When the hands-free law started and where it applies

The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act took effect on September 1, 2025. For the first 180 days, officers could only issue warnings, and a warning ticket gets no points. The ban applies on any public highway in the state. State law overrides local phone ordinances, so one rule applies across South Carolina.

What you can and cannot do with a phone while you drive in South Carolina

What you can and cannot do with a phone while you drive in South Carolina
What you do	Allowed?	Condition
Talk on a call with an earpiece or a wrist-worn device	Yes	Voice-based communication only
Start or end a call, or use navigation, audio or traffic information	Yes	No typing, and the phone is not held or supported
Send a voice message that the phone turns into text	Yes	The phone is not held or supported
Use the system that the vehicle maker installed	Yes	Built-in equipment or services only
Hold the phone in your hand or on your lap	No	Any time you drive
Read or type a text, email or app message	No	Any time you drive
Watch a video, a game or a video call	No	Any time you drive

Does the hands-free law apply in your situation?

You are lawfully parked or stopped

The ban does not apply. Park first, then use the phone.

Your phone sits in a dashboard mount and a text message appears

Do not read it while you drive, even if you do not touch the phone. Reading text is banned. Read it after you park. Try our free question on a mounted phone and a text message.

You see a crash, an emergency or a safety hazard

You may use the phone to report it to a public safety official. The law allows this while you drive.

How much is the South Carolina hands-free law fine?

How much is the South Carolina hands-free law fine?
Offense	Fine	Points
First offense	$100, no part suspended	Not on the point schedule
Second or later offense within three years	$200, no part suspended	2 points

What the hands-free law means for a permit, conditional or special restricted license

A second hands-free offense adds 2 points, and points hurt new drivers most. A driver on a beginner's permit, conditional or special restricted license who is convicted of offenses that total six or more points gets a six-month suspension. A conditional or special restricted license holder who is convicted of a traffic offense has full privileges postponed for twelve months, or until age 17. Points drop by half one year after the violation date. Try our free question on a 16-year-old with six points, and read our guide to points and suspension for teen drivers.

What police can and cannot do

An officer may stop you for this offense only with reasonable suspicion, based on a clear and unobstructed view of the violation. For this offense, an officer may not seize, search or view your phone. An officer may not search you, your passengers or your vehicle solely because of it, or make a custodial arrest solely because of it. The exception is a warrant for failure to appear in court or to pay a fine.

Key takeaways

Do not hold or support a phone while you drive in South Carolina, and do not read, write or send text or watch video.
An earpiece, a wrist-worn device, built-in car equipment, and calls or maps on a mounted phone with no typing are allowed.
A first offense is $100. A second offense within three years is $200 and 2 points.
For a driver on a permit, conditional or special restricted license, six or more points means a six-month suspension.
Next step: practice on the free South Carolina Class D practice test.

South Carolina hands-free law: common questions

Can I use Google Maps while driving in South Carolina?

Yes, if the phone sits in a mount or holder and you do not type. The law allows navigation, audio and traffic information when you do not hold or support the phone with any part of your body. You may also unlock the phone in the mount to start the route. Enter the address before you drive, because typing is not allowed.

Does a first hands-free ticket put points on my license?

A first offense is a $100 fine, and no part of it can be suspended. The South Carolina point schedule lists distracted driving only as a second or later offense, at 2 points. For a driver on a permit, conditional or special restricted license, those 2 points count toward the six-point limit for a suspension.

Do old phone tickets count toward a second offense?

Only offenses from the last three years count. The window runs back three years from the date of the newest offense and includes that date. If you have a prior distracted driving offense inside that window, the new one is a second offense: a $200 fine and 2 points.

Can I use my phone on my permit if my parent is in the car?

No. The ban applies to every person who drives on a public road, with a permit or a full license. The ban is on the driver, so ask your supervisor to read the directions or take the call. Our guide to beginner's permit rules tells you who can ride with you and when.

Does the South Carolina hands-free law apply to a CB radio?

No. The law does not count a citizens band radio, an amateur (ham) radio or a commercial two-way radio as a mobile electronic device. It also leaves out subscription-based emergency communication devices and prescribed medical devices. The hands-free ban does not cover them.