South Carolina Driving Laws

Information on South Carolina driving laws and South Carolina traffic laws...

Suspension of License

In accordance with South Carolina driving laws, your license will be suspended for violation of South Carolina traffic laws when:

  • You are found guilty, or forfeit bond, on a charge of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs. For the first conviction your license will be suspended for six months, for the second offense one year, for the third offense two years. This is in addition to the fines that may be imposed.


  • You refuse to take the test for intoxication when called upon to do so by a law enforcement officer. If the officer has complied with all the requirements of the law in this instance, then your refusal to take the test can mean that your driving privileges will be suspended for 90 days. This is in addition to any suspension if you are convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor.


  • You are convicted of reckless driving for a second time within five years and each subsequent conviction within that period. The law provides severe penalties for those found guilty of reckless driving. You are driving recklessly when you willfully drive any car or other motor vehicle in a manner that disregards the lives and property of others. Your driver’s license will be suspended for three months if you are convicted (or forfeit bond) on a second charge.


  • You are involved in an accident and subsequently sued for damages and an unsatisfied judgment is rendered against you.


  • You help another person to race on a public highway by lending him a motor vehicle, or if you "soup up" an engine for the purpose of racing either for yourself or someone else. The penalties for this violation of the racing law are severe:

    • If you are convicted of taking part in a race on any public road, street or highway, you may be fined or imprisoned or both. In addition, your driver’s license and vehicle registration will be suspended for one year.


    • If you assist in a race, or permit your vehicle to be used in a race, you may be fined and/or imprisoned. In addition, your driver’s license and your vehicle registration will be suspended for three months.

  • You are convicted of hauling illegal whiskey.


  • You accumulate 12 points under the point system law. This also goes for violations committed out of the state.


  • If you hold a beginner’s permit, conditional provisional or special restricted driver’s license and you accumulate six or more points, your driving privileges will be suspended for six months for Excessive Points. If you are suspended for Excessive Points, completing the National Safety Defensive Driver Course, or it’s equivalent, will not reinstate the suspension. The points that resulted in the Excessive Points suspension can also be used in a Point System suspension.

Revocation of License

In accordance with South Carolina driving laws, your license will be revoked when:

  • You are found guilty of killing any person while driving a car in a careless manner.
  • You are found guilty of any felony in which a motor vehicle is used.
  • You are involved in any accident in which someone is killed or injured and you fail to stop and give assistance.
  • You are convicted of driving a motor vehicle engaged in a race on a public street or highway.
  • You furnish false information pertaining to financial responsibility on your motor vehicle registration.
  • You become mentally or physically incompetent to drive.

Cancellation of License

In accordance with South Carolina driving laws, your license can be cancelled if:

  1. You are a minor (under 18 years old) and your parent or guardian or whoever signed for you withdraws his or her signature from your license application.


  2. You give false information on your application.

Point System For South Carolina

Under South Carolina driving laws, the following are violations that will result in six (6) points being assessed to your driving record:

  • Hit and Run, property damage only
  • Reckless driving
  • Passing stopped school bus
  • Speeding 25 mph or more above posted limit

The following are violations of South Carolina traffic laws that will result in four (4) points being assessed to your driving record:

  • Disobedience of any official traffic device
  • Disobedience to official directing traffic
  • Disregard railroad sign or signal
  • Disobedience to signal of approaching train
  • Driving on wrong side of road
  • Driving through or within safety zone
  • Failure to give or giving improper signal
  • Failure to yield right of way
  • Following too closely
  • Operating with improper brakes
  • Passing unlawfully
  • Speeding more than 10 mph, but less than 25 mph
  • Driving too fast for conditions, over 10 mph
  • Turning unlawfully

The following are violations of South Carolina driving laws that will result in two (2) points being assessed to your driving record:

  • Defective tail light
  • Driving a vehicle in unsafe condition
  • Driving in improper lane
  • Failure to dim lights
  • Improper backing
  • Improper dangerous parking
  • Operating with improper lights
  • Shifting lanes improperly
  • Speeding 10 mph or less
  • Driving too fast for conditions, 10 mph or less

For more information on South Carolina driving laws, please visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

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