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Mississippi Phone Use While Driving Laws (2026)

Conditional: Mississippi bans texting while driving but not handheld calls.

ConditionalVerified Jun 18, 2026

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Mississippi bans texting while driving but not handheld calls. Miss. Code 63-33-1 bars texting and social media use on a handheld phone while driving. Adults may still hold the phone to talk.

Official source: billstatus.ls.state.ms.us →

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

Phone Use While Driving in states bordering Mississippi

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

AlabamaConditional
Alabama bans texting and distracted use while driving. Just holding the phone is not banned statewide on its own — distracted driving has to be observed (Ala. Code 32-5A-350.1).
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: alison.legislature.state.al.us · Full Alabama rule →
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 →
LouisianaRestricted
Louisiana bans handheld use for all drivers — hands-free only. The ban took effect August 1, 2025 (HB 519 / Act 288). R.S. 32:59 bars operating a wireless device while driving; 32:300.5 was repealed.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: legis.la.gov · Full Louisiana 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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