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Iowa Phone Use While Driving Laws (2026)

Restricted: Iowa bans handheld use for all drivers — hands-free only.

RestrictedVerified Jun 18, 2026

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Iowa bans handheld use for all drivers — hands-free only. The law took effect July 1, 2025, and citations started January 1, 2026. Iowa Code 321.276 bars holding, viewing, or manipulating a device.

Official source: legis.iowa.gov →

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Phone Use While Driving in states bordering Iowa

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

IllinoisRestricted
Illinois bans handheld use of an electronic communication device for all drivers and requires hands-free use instead (625 ILCS 5/12-610.2).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ilga.gov · Full Illinois rule →
MinnesotaRestricted
Minnesota bans handheld use for all drivers — hands-free only. The ban took effect August 1, 2019. Minn. Stat. 169.475 bars holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: revisor.mn.gov · Full Minnesota rule →
MissouriRestricted
Under Missouri's Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, handheld use is banned for all drivers — hands-free only. Enforcement began January 1, 2025. RSMo 304.822 bars holding an electronic communication device.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: revisor.mo.gov · Full Missouri rule →
NebraskaConditional
Nebraska bans texting, reading, and typing while driving for all drivers, but holding the phone to talk is still allowed. Enforcement is secondary (Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,179.01).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: nebraskalegislature.gov · Full Nebraska rule →
South DakotaConditional
South Dakota bans texting, data use, and video on a mobile device while driving, but holding the phone for a voice call is allowed (SDCL 32-26-47.1).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: sdlegislature.gov · Full South Dakota rule →
WisconsinConditional
Wisconsin bans composing or sending texts or email while driving (Wis. Stat. 346.89(3)). …
Verified Sep 9, 2026 · Source: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov · Full Wisconsin rule →

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