How South Carolina's License Points System Works
What the points system does
South Carolina tracks moving violations on your driving record using a points system. When you get a ticket for a moving violation — speeding, running a red light, reckless driving — the state assigns points to your license. Accumulate too many points in a set time period, and the state suspends your license. The more serious the violation, the more points it carries.
Points stay on your record for a set number of years depending on the violation. During that time, they count toward suspension. After the time period ends, the points drop off your record, though the violation itself may remain visible to insurance companies and employers for longer.
The system exists to discourage dangerous driving and to remove drivers who show a pattern of unsafe behavior. It is separate from criminal charges — you can receive points even if you pay a ticket without going to court, and you can face both points and criminal penalties for the same violation.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina suspends your license when you reach 12 points within a 12-month period, or 18 points within a 24-month period.
- Points range from 2 points for minor violations like speeding 10 mph over the limit, to 6 points for serious violations like reckless driving or driving under the influence.
- Most points drop off your record after three years, though some violations like DUI remain longer.
- You can request a hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles if your license is suspended, and you may be able to reduce points through a defensive driving course.
- Insurance companies see your violations and points, and will usually raise your rates or drop your coverage based on what they find.
Point values for common violations
The state assigns points based on how serious the violation is. Minor infractions carry fewer points; dangerous driving carries more. Here are the violations you are most likely to encounter:
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 10 mph or less over the limit | 2 points |
| Speeding 11–15 mph over the limit | 3 points |
| Speeding 16–25 mph over the limit | 4 points |
| Speeding 26 mph or more over the limit | 6 points |
| Running a red light or stop sign | 4 points |
| Reckless driving | 6 points |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) | 6 points |
| Improper lane change | 2 points |
| Failure to yield | 4 points |
| Driving with a suspended or revoked license | 6 points |
If you receive a ticket for a violation not listed here, you can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles or ask the officer or court clerk how many points it carries. The ticket itself may also show the point value.
When your license gets suspended
The state suspends your license automatically when you reach certain point thresholds within specific time windows. You do not have to wait for a letter or notice — the suspension takes effect once the points are recorded on your record. However, the DMV will mail you a notice of suspension, usually within two weeks of the suspension taking effect.
The suspension triggers are: 12 points within a 12-month period, or 18 points within a 24-month period. If you reach either threshold, your license is suspended for a minimum of three months. The suspension length can be longer depending on your driving history and whether you have had previous suspensions.
A suspension is different from a revocation. A suspension is temporary — you can eventually get your license back. A revocation is permanent unless the state decides to reinstate it, and it usually results from serious violations like multiple DUIs or habitual traffic offender status.
How long points stay on your record
Most violations stay on your driving record for three years from the date of the violation. After three years, the points drop off and no longer count toward suspension. However, the violation itself remains on your record and is visible to insurance companies and employers — it just stops counting as active points.
Some violations stay longer. A DUI conviction stays on your record for ten years. A reckless driving conviction stays for five years. Even after points drop off, these violations can still affect your insurance rates and your ability to get hired for jobs that require a clean driving record.
You can check your driving record through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website or by visiting a DMV office in person. Your record shows all violations, when they occurred, and when the points will drop off.
Reducing points through a defensive driving course
South Carolina allows you to reduce points on your record by completing an approved defensive driving course. If you finish the course, you can have up to 4 points removed from your record. You can use this reduction once every 12 months, meaning you can remove up to 4 points per year if you take a course each year.
The course must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Most courses are offered online and take three to four hours to complete. You will pay a fee to take the course — this varies by provider but is usually between $20 and $50. After you finish, the provider sends proof of completion to the DMV, and the points are removed from your record within a few weeks.
Taking a defensive driving course does not erase violations from your record or affect your insurance rates directly. Insurance companies see that you took the course, and some offer discounts for doing so, but that is separate from the point reduction. The course is most useful if you are close to suspension and want to avoid it, or if you want to keep your record cleaner for employment purposes.
What happens if your license is suspended
Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in South Carolina and carries fines, jail time, and additional points on your record. If you are stopped by police, your vehicle can be impounded.
To get your license back, you must wait out the suspension period and then request reinstatement from the DMV. The minimum suspension is three months, but it can be longer. You can request a hearing before the suspension takes effect if you believe there is an error on your record or if you have circumstances the DMV should consider, though this does not automatically stop the suspension.
To reinstate your license after suspension, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100 in South Carolina) and may need to pass a written test or vision test depending on why your license was suspended. You can reinstate your license by mail, online, or in person at a DMV office.
How to check your driving record and points
You can view your own driving record through the South Carolina DMV website. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record shows all violations, the date of each violation, the points assigned, and when the points will drop off your record.
You can also request a copy of your driving record by mail or in person at any DMV office. There is a small fee for an official copy, usually a few dollars. If you need your record for a court case or insurance claim, an official copy from the DMV carries more weight than a printout from the website.
If you see an error on your record — a violation you did not commit, or points that were assigned incorrectly — you can dispute it with the DMV. You will need to provide documentation, such as a court record showing the charge was dismissed or proof that you paid a ticket for a different violation. Contact your local DMV office to start a dispute.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get points removed from my record before three years?
Yes, by completing an approved defensive driving course. You can remove up to 4 points per course, and you can take one course every 12 months. This is the only way to remove points before the three-year period ends. If you have a DUI or other serious violation, the points stay longer than three years regardless of courses.
Does paying a ticket without going to court still put points on my record?
Yes. Paying a ticket is an admission of guilt, and the violation is recorded on your driving record with the assigned points. Going to court and contesting the ticket is your only chance to avoid points — if you win, the violation is dismissed and no points are added.
Will my insurance rates go up if I get points?
Almost certainly. Insurance companies check your driving record and use violations and points to set your rates. A single violation can raise your rates by 10 to 50 percent depending on the violation and your insurer. Multiple violations or a suspension will raise rates even more, and some insurers will drop you entirely.
What is the difference between a suspension and a revocation?
A suspension is temporary — your license is taken away for a set period, usually three months to a year, and you can get it back by paying a reinstatement fee and meeting any other requirements. A revocation is permanent unless the state decides to reinstate it, which is rare. Revocations usually result from habitual traffic offender status or multiple serious violations like DUI.
Can I drive if my license is suspended?
No. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense. You can be arrested, fined, and jailed. Your vehicle can be impounded. The only exception is if you obtain a hardship license, which some people can get for work or medical reasons, but this requires a separate request to the DMV and is not granted in all cases.