Key South Carolina facts: Phones & Distraction
Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, a driver on a public road may not hold or support a mobile device with any part of the body; earpieces and wrist devices may still be used for voice calls. Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, pp. 3-4-3-5 (PDF pp. 35-36) The Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act bars a driver from viewing moving images such as videos, movies, games or video calls. Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36) The Act also bars reading, writing or sending any text while driving, including emails, app interactions and website content. Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36) The device rules do not apply to a driver who is lawfully parked or stopped. § 56-5-3890(C)(1) The device rules do not apply to a driver reporting a crash, emergency or safety hazard to a public safety official. § 56-5-3890(C)(3) Sample Phones & Distraction questions
How do mental distractions compare with taking your eyes off the road?
They only matter at night They are harmless They are less dangerous They are just as dangerous Show the answer
They are just as dangerous
Thinking about something other than driving is as risky as looking away or taking your hands off the wheel.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Driver Distractions, p. 3-4 (PDF p. 35)
Under South Carolina law, may you hold your phone in your hand while driving?
Yes, but only to make phone calls No, holding or supporting it is banned Yes, if you are age 21 or older Yes, while driving under 25 mph Show the answer
No, holding or supporting it is banned
You may not hold or support a phone with any part of your body while driving, whatever your age.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, pp. 3-4-3-5 (PDF pp. 35-36)
Under the Hands-Free Act, may you type a reply to an email on your phone while driving?
Yes, below 25 mph Yes, if the phone is mounted Yes, on rural roads No, reading or writing any text is banned Show the answer
No, reading or writing any text is banned
The Act bars reading, writing or sending text of any kind while driving, including emails and app messages.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36)
When do South Carolina's phone rules not apply to a driver?
On rural roads When no passengers are in the car When lawfully parked When driving under 20 mph Show the answer
When lawfully parked
The rules cover drivers on public highways; a driver who is lawfully parked or stopped is exempt.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-3890(C)(1)
What is the fine for a first distracted driving offense in South Carolina?
Show the answer
$100
A first offense costs $100; a second or later one costs $200 and adds two points.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36)
May you follow GPS directions on a mounted phone while driving in SC?
Yes, if you don't hold it or type No, all phone use is banned Only if you hold it below the window Only on interstates Show the answer
Yes, if you don't hold it or type
Navigation is allowed when the device is not held and you do not have to type.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-3890(C)(6)(a)
Which way of talking on the phone while driving does SC law still allow?
Balancing it on your shoulder Using an earpiece without holding the phone Holding it at a red light only Holding the phone on speaker Show the answer
Using an earpiece without holding the phone
Voice calls through an earpiece or wrist device are allowed, as long as you do not hold or support the phone.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, pp. 3-4-3-5 (PDF pp. 35-36)
What penalty does a second offense under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act bring?
A warning only A $200 fine and two points A $100 fine and no points Six months' suspension Show the answer
A $200 fine and two points
Second and later offenses cost $200 and put two points on your driving record.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36)
You see a crash and use your phone to report it to 911 while driving. Is that covered by the hand-held ban?
Only if you are a first responder Yes, you must always pull over No, reporting an emergency is an exception Yes, unless someone is hurt Show the answer
No, reporting an emergency is an exception
Reporting a crash, emergency or safety hazard to a public safety official is exempt from the device rules.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-3890(C)(3)
May you watch a video on your phone while driving if the phone is in a mount?
Yes, but only on the interstate Yes, with the sound turned off Yes, as long as it is in a mount No, watching video is not allowed Show the answer
No, watching video is not allowed
The Hands-Free Act bars viewing videos, movies, games or video calls while you drive.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36)
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the South Carolina Driver's Manual (Edition linked from SCDMV's Beginner's Permit page; no revision date is printed (the cover page of the 06/2024 edition is gone) and the file was last modified 2026-04-01 (server date), read 2026-11-09. Compared with the 06/2024 edition it adds the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act (pp. 3-4 to 3-5), a 30-day permit holding period for applicants 18 or older (p. 1-5) and shorter route-restricted license lists; the rest of the text is the same, with some pages shifted. Pages are cited as printed (section-page, e.g. 1-4) with the PDF page. Where the manual gives no value, the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5 (scstatehouse.gov, read 2026-11-09) and SCDMV web pages are the source. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
