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North Carolina Phone Use While Driving Laws (2026)

Conditional: North Carolina bans texting and email while driving for all drivers: no typing or reading messages (N.C.G.S. 20-137.4A(a)).

ConditionalVerified Sep 9, 2026

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North Carolina bans texting and email while driving for all drivers: no typing or reading messages (N.C.G.S. 20-137.4A(a)). Most adults may hold a phone to talk, but drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all while moving, even hands-free, except to reach emergency services or their own parent, guardian or spouse (20-137.3(b),(d)); school bus drivers may not use one while the bus is moving except to communicate in an emergency (20-137.4(b),(d)); commercial drivers face the federal handheld ban (20-137.4A(a1)).

Official source: ncleg.gov →

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

Phone Use While Driving in states bordering North Carolina

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

GeorgiaRestricted
Georgia bans handheld use for all drivers under the Hands-Free Georgia Act — hands-free is required instead (O.C.G.A. 40-6-241).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: gahighwaysafety.org · Full Georgia rule →
South CarolinaRestricted
South Carolina requires hands-free driving statewide under the SC Hands-Free Act: you can't hold or support a mobile device while driving. The law took effect September 1, 2025, and citations began February 28, 2026 — $100 for a first offense, then $200 plus 2 points (SC Code 56-5-3890).
Verified Jul 13, 2026 · Source: scstatehouse.gov · Full South Carolina rule →
TennesseeRestricted
Tennessee requires all drivers to go hands-free: it is unlawful to physically hold or support a wireless device while driving (TCA 55-8-199).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: publications.tnsosfiles.com · Full Tennessee rule →
VirginiaRestricted
Virginia requires hands-free driving: it is unlawful to hold a handheld personal communications device while driving. The rule has been in place since 2021 (Va. Code 46.2-818.2).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: law.lis.virginia.gov · Full Virginia rule →

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