NC’s New ‘Hands Free’ Law: Phone Use While Driving Now Banned

Social media posts falsely claim North Carolina enacts cell phone driving ban, triggering wave of misinformation

A viral social media post claiming North Carolina implemented a new law banning drivers from using cell phones has spread rapidly online, despite being completely false. The misinformation sparked a chain reaction of inaccurate reporting and even prompted an incorrect AI-generated summary on Google.

The Facebook page “North Carolina Legislature” – which has no official connection to the state government – published a post claiming: “Effective today, December 1, 2025, North Carolina has a new ‘Hands-Free NC Act’ that prohibits the use of wireless communication devices while driving.” The post was shared more than 3,000 times before being deleted.

According to the false claim, “Drivers cannot hold or use a device for tasks like texting or watching videos, though voice-activated technology and factory-installed navigation systems are allowed for most drivers.”

The misinformation quickly spread beyond social media. A conservative commentator, a Charlotte-based television station, and a western North Carolina radio station all repeated the claim. By December 2, Google’s AI Overview feature was telling users searching for “Hands Free NC” that the law had taken effect on December 1, prohibiting drivers from physically using wireless devices, “even at a red light.”

State officials have confirmed no such law exists. While North Carolina does currently prohibit texting and emailing while driving, there is no ban on merely holding a phone while operating a vehicle.

The “Hands Free NC Act” referenced in the post is actually a bipartisan bill introduced in March that would prohibit holding phones while driving. However, the legislation has not been approved by either chamber of the North Carolina General Assembly and has not become law.

Legislative leaders and state officials have been quick to correct the record. Demi Dowdy, spokesperson for House Speaker Destin Hall, stated unequivocally: “The ‘Hands-Free NC Act’ was never enacted by the General Assembly and is not in effect.”

State Senator Jim Burgin, who introduced the original bill, expressed disappointment that the legislation hadn’t passed while noting he’s received numerous calls about the false Facebook post.

“Every day that I go back and forth to Raleigh, I see distracted driving,” Burgin said. “At a red light, [when the light turns green] the traffic starts moving and they don’t move and their heads are down — you know what they’re doing. They’re looking at their phone.”

The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation, a nonprofit advocating for travel safety policies, also issued a statement addressing the misinformation. “The lesson with this social media post is mistakes happen, which is also the reason motorists should avoid distractions and focus on driving when behind the wheel,” said Joe Stewart, the alliance’s board chairman.

When contacted about the source of their claim, administrators of the “North Carolina Legislature” Facebook page, which describes itself as “managed by unpaid volunteers,” did not provide an explanation.

This incident highlights how quickly misinformation can spread from social media to traditional news outlets and even to AI-powered search results. It also demonstrates the challenges of verifying information in an era where unofficial sources can easily masquerade as authoritative voices on government affairs.

For North Carolina drivers, the rules remain unchanged: while texting and emailing behind the wheel are prohibited, simply holding a phone while driving is not currently illegal under state law. Any future changes to distracted driving regulations would need to pass through the proper legislative process and be signed into law before taking effect.