Suspended License in South Carolina

Driver License Suspension in South Carolina

If the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) suspends your driver's license, you'll need to satisfy your suspension requirements to reinstate it.

Your driver's license may be suspended for reasons including:

  • Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) of drugs and/or alcohol.
  • Driving with a suspended license.
  • Violating insurance laws.
  • Failing to pay a traffic citation.
  • Accumulating too many driving record points.

On this page, you'll find information about your suspension and how to reinstate your SC driver's license.

About Your Suspended License in SC

The duration of your suspension will vary depending on the circumstances of your offense.

NOTE: You may also receive additional fines and penalties from the court if you receive a criminal conviction.

Some common suspensions include:

  • 6 months to 3 years for alcohol-related offenses, depending on the number of violations.
  • Indefinitely for suspensions resulting from:
    • Insurance violations.
    • SR22 violations.
    • Failing to pay a ticket.
  • 3 – 6 months for accumulating too many traffic points on your driver record, depending on the number of traffic points.

For information about your specific suspension requirements, contact the South Carolina DMV:

NOTE: If you drive while your license is suspended, you will receive an additional suspension of:

  • The same duration as your current suspension, if the duration is stated.
  • 3 months, if your suspension is indefinite.
  • 30 days, if your suspension was caused by failing to pay a traffic ticket.

Check Your Driver License Status and Driving Record Points

Along with higher car insurance rates and fines, accumulating too many points on your driving record can lead to a license suspension.

  • If you accumulate 6 points or more, the SCDMV will mail you a warning letter.
  • If you earn 12 points or more, your driver's license will be suspended.

The length of your suspension will depend on the number of points you have on your driving record.

Suspension Hearings in South Carolina

If you want to contest your suspended license, you can request an administrative hearing through the South Carolina Administrative Law Court.

Visit the SC Administrative Law Court in person at:

  • 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 224
    Edgar A. Brown Building
    Columbia, SC 29201
    OR
  • Call (803) 734-0550 for more information.
Looking for an Attorney?

Find an experienced traffic attorney near you to help you with your SC driver's license suspension.

How to Reinstate a Suspended SC Driver's License

Your suspension requirements will vary depending on the circumstances of your driver's license suspension.

To reinstate your license, you'll generally need to:

  • Get an SR22 from your insurance company and maintain coverage for 3 years, if required.
  • Satisfy any court requirements and fines, if applicable.
  • Complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, for DUI suspensions.
  • Have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle, for multiple DUI offenses and alcohol/drug-related violations.
  • Pay the $100 reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License" below.)

If your driver license suspension resulted from failing to pay a traffic ticket, you'll need to:

  • Pay your court fine.
  • Mail your notice of payment to:

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver Records
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016

You can pay your reinstatement fees online on the South Carolina DMV website. You'll need to enter your:

  • Driver's license number.
  • Social Security number (SSN).
  • Date of birth.

You can also enroll in a reinstatement fee payment plan. To check your eligibility, visit the SCDMV website and enter your information.

NOTE: You may need to re-take the driving knowledge and skills tests if your driver's license has expired or if your suspension requires it.

Obtain a Restricted Driver's License

You may be eligible for a restricted license to use while your driver's license is suspended if you have a DUI/DWI suspension and:

  • Have a South Carolina driver's license.
  • Have no other pending suspensions.
  • Are enrolled in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program.
  • Have an SR22 filed with the SCDMV.
  • Pay the restricted/provisional driver license fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License" below.)

For more information, please call the South Carolina DMV at (803) 896-5000.

Fees to Reinstate Your Suspended License

The South Carolina DMV charges the following general fees for suspended driver's license reinstatements and restricted licenses.

  • Reinstatement fee: $100.
  • Restricted driver's license: $100.
  • Knowledge test: $2.

NOTE: You may need to pay additional fees depending on your specific circumstances of your suspension.

Accepted Forms of Payment

The South Carolina DMV accepts the following forms of payment:

  • In person at your local SC DMV office: Cash, check, credit/debit card.
  • Online: Credit/debit cards.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review