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Minnesota Phone Use While Driving Laws (2026)

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

RestrictedVerified Jun 18, 2026

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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.

Official source: revisor.mn.gov →

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

Phone Use While Driving in states bordering Minnesota

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

IowaRestricted
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.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: legis.iowa.gov · Full Iowa rule →
North DakotaConditional
North Dakota bans texting for all drivers — you can't compose, read, or send an electronic message while driving. Holding the phone to talk is still allowed, but drivers under 18 may not use any device (N.D.C.C. 39-08-23; minors: 39-08-24).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ndlegis.gov · Full North Dakota 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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