New driving rule could cost you big — what every American motorist must know before September 1

South Carolina hands-free driving law: Starting September 1, drivers in South Carolina need to be extra careful with their phones behind the wheel, as per a report. A new hands-free driving law is coming into effect, and it could hit your wallet if you’re caught holding your phone while driving, according to The Sun. That means texting, scrolling, or watching videos while on the road could land you a ticket, as per the report.

South Carolina Hands-Free Driving Law Starts September 1, 2025

At first, the state is giving drivers a grace period, as for the first six months, anyone pulled over will get a warning, not a fine, according to The Sun report. But from February 28 next year, the rules get strict: first-time offenders could face $100 fines, while repeat violators might see $200, and repeated infraction will also see a two-point assessment against the driver’s license, as reported by The Sun.

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Why South Carolina Introduced the Hands-Free Rule

Robert Woods, director of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), who signed the bill on July 31, explained the reasoning behind the law, according to the report. The DPS pointed out that distracted driving is a contributing factor in over 20,000 traffic collisions in South Carolina each year.

Woods said, “We are confident this law will prevent collisions and save lives,” adding, “It is important to know that our troopers and officers of the Department of Public Safety, working in cooperation with our local law enforcement partners, will strictly enforce this law,” as quoted by The Sun.

The state official said that “We recognize that this law will cause a very significant change in driving habits for many drivers. So, we will educate first,” as quoted in The Sun report.

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Exceptions to the New Hands-Free Law

While there are some exceptions, like hands-free phone calls and voice-to-text messaging, which are still allowed legally, according to the report. You can also use your phone while parked, reporting an accident, or handling a medical emergency, as per The Sun.

Governor Henry McMaster emphasised that, “It’s just common sense, but sometimes it takes a law to remind everybody of that common sense,” as quoted in the report. The Governor added, “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," as quoted by The Sun.

Even though drivers can also handle their phones when legally stopped, such as when at a red light, but the DPS “encourages drivers to always avoid using a mobile device when behind the wheel, even at a red light, as driving a vehicle requires careful attention," as quoted in the report.

How the State Is Informing Drivers About the Law

To help drivers adjust to the new law, the state's Department of Transportation will install signs along state roads and display messages on the agency’s digital displays along interstates to promote the new law, as reported by The Sun.

Even the state Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism will also alert visitors of the law with signs at its interstate welcome centers, as per the report.

FAQs

What is considered illegal use of a phone?
Holding your phone while texting, scrolling, or watching videos is prohibited, as per The Sun report.

Are hands-free calls allowed?
Yes, hands-free calls and voice-to-text are still legal, as per The Sun report.