COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Starting July 1, Iowa drivers will no longer be allowed to hold a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle, as the state’s new hands-free driving law goes into effect.
Passed by the Iowa Legislature and signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds, the measure brings Iowa in line with 30 other states that have enacted similar laws aimed at reducing distracted driving.
Iowa State Patrol Trooper Ryan Devault, Public Resource Officer for District 3, says the new law requires that all electronic device use while driving must be hands-free. This includes using Bluetooth, voice commands like Siri or Google Assistant, or one-touch activation for phone calls.
The law prohibits watching videos, movies, or making video calls such as FaceTime while driving. Violators will face a $100 fine and the offense will be considered a moving violation—though warnings will be issued instead of citations until January 1, 2026.
Trooper Devault acknowledged that not all vehicles have Bluetooth, but emphasized there are affordable options for hands-free device holders and adapters to keep drivers in compliance.
He pointed to neighboring states like Illinois and Minnesota, where similar laws led to a 20% to 30% drop in traffic fatalities, and stressed that public participation is key.
Key Exceptions:
- Emergency personnel and healthcare professionals in the line of duty
- Reporting emergencies
- Farm equipment operators
- Navigation use, provided directions are entered before driving begins
Drivers causing serious injury while violating the law may face an additional $500 fine and license suspension. If the violation results in death, the fine increases to $1,000, with license suspension also possible.
The Iowa State Patrol urges all motorists to begin adjusting now to hands-free driving to promote safer roads across the state.