South Carolina’s new Hands-Free Law shifts from warnings to tickets on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, ending the 180-day grace period.
Under the law, drivers cannot hold or support a mobile electronic device with any part of their body, including phones, tablets, and portable computers. Drivers also cannot read, write, or send texts, emails, app messages, or website information while driving. If you are fully stopped at a light or stop sign, you can briefly pick up a phone to receive a call, but you must put it down before moving again.
The Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act took effect Sept. 1, 2025. During the warning period, law enforcement focused on education. Now, a first violation can bring a $100 fine. A second ticket within three years increases the penalty to a $200 fine and two points on the driver’s license.
State officials say the law aims to reduce distracted-driving crashes. Enforcement data suggests the issue is widespread. DPS agencies issued 6,983 warnings statewide, including more than 2,000 warnings in Troop 3 counties alone—Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg.
For the Charlotte region, the change is especially relevant for commuters into South Carolina. Drivers in York County and along I-77 should expect stricter enforcement beginning Saturday.
