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Missouri Phone Use While Driving Laws (2026)

Restricted: Under Missouri's Siddens Bening Hands Free Law, handheld use is banned for all drivers — hands-free only.

RestrictedVerified Jun 18, 2026

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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.

Official source: revisor.mo.gov →

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

Phone Use While Driving in states bordering Missouri

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

ArkansasConditional
In Arkansas, texting and social-media use while driving is banned for all drivers (A.C.A. 27-51-1504). Drivers under 18 may not use a wireless device at all; drivers 18–20 are hands-free only. All drivers — including adults — are additionally barred from using a wireless device when passing a school building or school zone during school hours when children are present (27-51-1605) and in a highway work zone (27-51-1606).
Verified Jul 30, 2026 · Source: ardot.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
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 →
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 →
KansasConditional
Kansas bans texting while driving but not handheld calls. You can't write, send, or read a written communication while driving (KSA 8-15,111). Adults may still hold the phone to talk.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ksrevisor.gov · Full Kansas rule →
KentuckyConditional
Kentucky bans texting while driving but not handheld calls. You can't write, send, or read a text-based communication while driving (KRS 189.292). Adults may still hold the phone to talk.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov · Full Kentucky 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 →
OklahomaConditional
Oklahoma bans texting while driving for all drivers: no composing, sending or reading a text, email, photo or video (47 O.S. 11-901d). …
Verified Sep 9, 2026 · Source: oscn.net · Full Oklahoma 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 →

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