Iowa's Hands-Free Law and Distractions

Key points

1. All types of distractions are dangerous, and many common tasks fit more than one type.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “All types of distractions can be dangerous while driving, and many tasks that people commonly do behind the wheel can fit into more than one category.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

2. You may not hold your phone in any way while driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “You can’t hold your phone in any way.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

3. Before writing, sending or reading a message, stop completely off the traveled roadway.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Before writing, sending, or reading a text message, email, or social media post, the vehicle must be brought to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

4. You cannot stream video or make video calls, even with voice commands.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “You can’t stream videos or make video calls, even with voice commands.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

5. You cannot enter an address into GPS while driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “You can’t enter in an address to GPS while driving.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

6. Drivers under 18 with a permit or intermediate license may not talk on the phone unless stopped off the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Drivers under the age of 18 with an instruction permit, intermediate license, or special minor restricted license are prohibited from making and receiving calls and talking on the phone while driving unless their vehicle is at a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway.”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

7. Distracted driving is a primary offense, so an officer can pull you over for it.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Distracted driving is considered a “primary” traffic offense”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

8. Causing a death while distracted can mean more than $1,000 in fines and a suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “If you drive distracted and cause the death of another person, you could face more than $1,000 in fines, have your license suspended”
   Iowa Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 36

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Iowa practice test

1. 1. Under Iowa's hands-free law, which phone activity is prohibited while driving?

   1. Manually scrolling or typing on the phone
   2. Using voice activation to place a call
   3. Listening through a hands-free system
   4. Receiving a safety-related traffic alert
   Show answer

   Manually scrolling or typing on the phone. The hands-free rules prohibit manually scrolling, typing, or interacting with a phone while driving. Voice activation and a hands-free call are treated differently, and receiving safety-related traffic information is listed as an exception. The wording does not make every electronic function illegal, but it does remove hand-held interaction from ordinary driving. Put the device away before moving, or use an approved hands-free method. The concrete cue is that a finger touching the phone to scroll or type is the prohibited behavior tested here.

2. 2. Which activity does Iowa prohibit even when voice commands are used?

   1. Receiving an emergency alert
   2. Making a phone call through a hands-free system
   3. Entering a destination in GPS by voice
   4. Streaming videos or making video calls
   Show answer

   Streaming videos or making video calls. Iowa specifically prohibits streaming videos and making video calls even when voice commands control the device. Voice operation does not remove the visual distraction or make video content safe during a moving trip. A hands-free phone call, GPS use by voice, and emergency alerts are treated separately in the manual and are not the activity named here. If a video stream or call needs attention, bring the vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway before handling it. The safest cue is to keep every screen-based video task out of the driving period.

3. 3. Under Iowa's hands-free law, what must a driver do before reading or writing a text message?

   1. Slow to under 25 mph
   2. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway
   3. Stop at a red light
   4. Put the phone on speaker
   Show answer

   Bring the vehicle to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Iowa prohibits using mobile phones and other hand held electronic devices to write, send or view an electronic message while driving. Before writing, sending or reading a text, email or social media post, the vehicle must be brought to a complete stop off the traveled portion of the roadway. Stopping at a red light is still on the roadway, slowing does not qualify, and speaker mode does not allow reading a message.

Source: the Iowa Driver's Manual, Chapter 3: Eliminating Distractions. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.