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How to Get Your South Carolina Driver's License Back After Suspension

By Viola Travers · Practical Services & Civic Guide

What you need to do to reinstate a suspended license in South Carolina

A suspended license in South Carolina means you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted. The steps to get your license back depend on why it was suspended — the reason matters more than anything else. Some suspensions lift automatically after a set time; others require you to pay a fee, complete a course, or resolve the underlying problem. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) handles reinstatement, and you will need to contact them directly to find out which category your suspension falls into.

Do not assume your suspension has ended just because time has passed. Many suspensions require active steps from you. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense in South Carolina, even if your suspension was originally for a traffic violation.

Key Takeaways

  • The reason for your suspension determines what you must do to get reinstated — some require only a fee, others require proof you resolved the underlying problem.
  • Contact SCDMV directly at 803-896-5000 or visit a local DMV office to learn the specific requirements for your suspension.
  • Many suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee to SCDMV before your license is restored.
  • Some suspensions, such as those for unpaid child support or certain drug convictions, require proof from another agency that the problem is resolved before SCDMV will reinstate you.
  • Driving on a suspended license carries criminal penalties separate from the original reason for suspension.

Common reasons for license suspension in South Carolina

The SCDMV suspends licenses for many reasons, and the path to reinstatement differs for each. The most common are unpaid traffic fines, accumulation of points from violations, DUI or refusal to take a breath test, unpaid child support, failure to maintain car insurance, and drug-related convictions. Some suspensions are automatic — for instance, a DUI conviction triggers an immediate suspension. Others build up over time, like point accumulation.

You may have multiple suspensions on your record at once. If you do, you must resolve all of them before SCDMV will reinstate your license. This is important: clearing one suspension does not restore your driving privileges if another remains active.

How to find out why your license is suspended

Call SCDMV at 803-896-5000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and have your driver's license number ready. The staff can tell you the reason for suspension, the date it began, and what you must do to reinstate. You can also visit any SCDMV office in person — there are locations throughout South Carolina — and ask for a printout of your driving record.

Alternatively, you can order your driving record online through the SCDMV website, though this takes several business days. The phone call is faster if you need the information right away. Write down everything the SCDMV representative tells you, including any fees owed, deadlines, and the name of the person you spoke with.

Reinstatement for unpaid fines and traffic violations

If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines, you must pay the outstanding balance to the court that issued the ticket. SCDMV does not collect these payments — the court does. Contact the traffic court in the county where you received the ticket and ask how to pay. Once the court confirms payment, they notify SCDMV, and your suspension is lifted.

If your suspension is due to point accumulation (too many violations within a set time), you may need to pay a reinstatement fee to SCDMV in addition to any court fines. The fee varies depending on how many points triggered the suspension. Ask SCDMV for the exact amount when you call.

Reinstatement for DUI and breath test refusal

A DUI conviction or refusal to take a breath test triggers an automatic license suspension. The length of the suspension depends on whether it is your first offense and the specific circumstances. A first-offense DUI suspension typically lasts six months; a refusal can last longer. You cannot drive at all during this period, even with a restricted license, unless the court grants you a provisional license for work or medical reasons.

After the suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to SCDMV — currently $100 for a DUI suspension and $200 for a refusal. Some DUI suspensions also require you to complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Program (ADSP) before reinstatement. SCDMV will tell you whether this applies to your case. You must provide proof of completion before your license is restored.

Reinstatement for child support and other non-traffic suspensions

South Carolina suspends licenses for reasons beyond traffic violations, including unpaid child support, failure to pay court-ordered fines, and drug-related convictions. These suspensions do not lift automatically and do not have a set end date. Instead, they remain in place until the underlying problem is resolved.

For child support suspensions, you must contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services or the child support enforcement office in your county. They will tell you the amount owed and how to pay. Once you bring your account current or arrange a payment plan they accept, they notify SCDMV, and your suspension is lifted. For other non-traffic suspensions, contact the agency or court responsible for the original order.

The reinstatement fee and how to pay it

Most suspensions require a reinstatement fee paid directly to SCDMV. The amount varies by reason — typically $100 to $200 — and SCDMV will not restore your license until the fee is received. You can pay by mail, in person at any SCDMV office, or online through the SCDMV website if your suspension type allows online payment.

When you pay by mail, send a check or money order to the SCDMV address provided when you call. Include your driver's license number and the reason for suspension so the payment is applied to the correct account. Processing takes one to two weeks after SCDMV receives your payment. If you pay in person, your license may be reinstated the same day, though this depends on whether all other requirements are met.

What happens after you meet all requirements

Once you have paid all fees, resolved the underlying problem (such as unpaid fines or child support), and completed any required programs, SCDMV will reinstate your license. If you paid in person at an office, you may receive a temporary driving permit on the spot. If you paid by mail, your license will be restored in the system, and you can drive once SCDMV processes the reinstatement — typically within one to two weeks.

Your physical license card does not change when a suspension is lifted. You do not need to renew it or obtain a new one unless it is expired or damaged. If you want to confirm your license is active before driving, call SCDMV or check your status online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a restricted license while my license is suspended?

It depends on the reason for suspension. DUI suspensions may may have access to for a provisional license for work or medical purposes, but you must petition the court that handled your case. Other suspensions, such as those for unpaid child support, typically do not allow restricted driving. Ask SCDMV whether a restricted license is an option for your specific suspension.

What if I cannot pay the reinstatement fee all at once?

Contact SCDMV to ask whether a payment plan is available. Some suspensions allow installment payments, but this is not may provide. You may also need to resolve the underlying issue (such as unpaid fines) before a payment plan is offered. Call 803-896-5000 to discuss your situation.

How long does reinstatement take?

If you pay in person at an SCDMV office and all other requirements are met, reinstatement can happen the same day. If you pay by mail, allow one to two weeks for processing. If you must resolve other issues first — such as unpaid court fines or child support — the timeline depends on how quickly those are settled.

What if I have multiple suspensions?

You must resolve all suspensions before your license is reinstated. Contact SCDMV to get a complete list of every suspension on your record, then address each one separately. This may mean paying fines to multiple courts, resolving child support arrears, and paying separate reinstatement fees.

Can I drive if my suspension is still active?

No. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in South Carolina, separate from the original reason for suspension. You can face fines, jail time, and additional license suspension if caught. Do not drive until SCDMV confirms your license is reinstated.