Missouri’s New Texting and Driving Law Explained: What Drivers Need to Know About § 304.822

As of January 2025, It is illegal to hold your phone in your hand while driving:

What Drivers Need to Know About § 304.822

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Texting while driving is now enforceable under Missouri law § 304.822.

What Changed in Missouri?

Missouri’s Siddens Bening Hands-Free Law officially went into full effect on January 1, 2025. Codified under RSMo § 304.822, this law bans physically holding or supporting a phone with any part of your body while operating a vehicle, regardless of whether you’re texting, talking, using GPS, or just holding it at a stoplight.

This is not just a “no texting” law, it’s a “don’t touch your phone while driving” law.

What’s Now Illegal?

While driving, Missouri drivers may not:

• Hold or support a device with any part of their body

• Manually type, swipe, or scroll on a phone

• Watch or record videos

• Use video calls, apps, or social media

• Dial a number manually

• Record or take photos

• Play games or stream content

Even mounted phones must be operated with only a single tap or swipe, no holding, typing, or interacting beyond that.

What’s Still Legal?

You may use:

• Bluetooth or hands-free calling

• Mounted GPS apps if initiated before driving

• Voice commands or virtual assistants

• One-touch activation for calls or navigation

• Devices while lawfully parked or during an emergency

What Are the Penalties?

Starting January 1, 2025, violations include:

• 1st offense: up to $150 fine

• 2nd offense (within 2 years): up to $250

• 3rd or more: up to $500

• In school or construction zones: up to $500

• Crashes with serious injury: up to 6 months jail, $1,000 fine

• Crashes with death: up to 7 years prison

Law enforcement must observe another traffic offense to pull you over for this, it’s a secondary violation. However, commercial vehicle operatiors and drivers under 21 years of age, holding a phone can be a primary violation.

Ticketed Under the Hands-Free Law?

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