How South Carolina's Driving Record Points System Works

What driving record points are and how they add up

South Carolina assigns points to your driving record when you are convicted of certain traffic violations. Points accumulate over time and stay on your record for a set period. The more points you collect, the closer you move toward license suspension — and the higher your insurance rates climb.

Different violations carry different point values. A speeding ticket might add three points, while reckless driving adds four. Some violations, like parking tickets or equipment failures, do not add points at all. You can find the exact point value for any violation in the South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-750, or by asking the court when you receive your ticket.

Points remain on your record for three years from the date of conviction. This means a violation from three years and one day ago drops off automatically — you do not have to do anything. But during those three years, the points count toward your total.

Key Takeaways

• South Carolina suspends your license when you accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period.
• Points stay on your record for exactly three years from the conviction date, then disappear automatically.
• You can check your current point total by requesting your driving record from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points on your record, but only for certain violations and only once every three years.
• Insurance companies use your driving record points to set your rates, so points affect your premiums even before suspension occurs.

When your license gets suspended for too many points

Your license is suspended automatically when you reach 12 points within a three-year period. You do not receive a warning or a chance to pay a fine to avoid it — the suspension is mandatory. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles sends you a notice by mail, but the suspension takes effect on the date stated in that notice regardless of whether you receive it.

The length of your first suspension depends on how many points triggered it. If you have 12 to 17 points, your license is suspended for three months. If you have 18 or more points, the suspension lasts six months. A second suspension within five years lasts longer — six months for 12 to 17 points, and one year for 18 or more.

During a suspension, you cannot legally drive. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines, jail time, and a longer suspension. If you need to drive for work or medical reasons, you may request a provisional license from the DMV, though approval is not may provide.

How to check your current point total

You can request your driving record from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles in three ways: online through their website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The online method is fastest — you can order your record and receive it within minutes if you pay the fee by credit card.

To order online, visit the DMV website and select "Driving Record." You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows every conviction on your license, the date of each conviction, the violation type, and the points assigned. It also shows your current total and how many points will drop off on specific future dates.

If you order by mail, send a request to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and a check or money order for the fee. Processing takes about two weeks.

Reducing points through a defensive driving course

South Carolina allows you to reduce your points by completing an approved defensive driving course. The course removes up to four points from your record — but only if the violation that caused those points was a moving violation, not a parking or equipment violation. You can use this reduction only once every three years.

The course must be approved by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Many are offered online and take three to four hours to complete. You pay a fee to the course provider, typically between $20 and $50. After you finish, the provider sends proof of completion to the DMV, which then removes the points from your record.

Taking a defensive driving course does not erase the violation from your record — it only removes the points. The conviction still appears on your driving history, which insurance companies can see. However, some insurance companies offer a discount if you complete a defensive driving course, so the course may lower your premiums even though it does not remove the conviction itself.

How points affect your insurance rates

Insurance companies review your driving record when they set your rates, and points directly increase what you pay. Each company uses its own formula, so the exact increase varies. A single three-point violation might raise your premium by 10 to 15 percent, while a four-point violation could raise it by 20 percent or more. Multiple violations compound the effect.

Insurance companies can see your points for the full three years they remain on your record, even if you have not yet reached 12 points and your license has not been suspended. This means your rates go up immediately after a conviction, not just if suspension occurs. Once the three-year period ends and the points drop off your driving record, your insurance company can no longer see them and may lower your rates — though you may need to contact your agent to request a new quote.

If your rates increase significantly after a violation, you can shop around. Different insurance companies weight driving record points differently, so another company may charge less for the same violation. Getting quotes from three to five companies takes an hour and can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Violations that do not add points

Not every traffic violation adds points to your record. Parking violations, expired registration, broken headlights, and other equipment failures do not carry points. Neither do violations of local ordinances that are not state traffic laws. These violations can still result in fines, but they do not move you closer to license suspension.

However, some serious violations add points but do not result in a criminal conviction — meaning you can have points on your record without a criminal record. Other violations result in both points and a criminal conviction. The distinction matters for employment, housing, and other background checks, so if you are unsure whether a violation will create a criminal record, ask the prosecutor or your attorney before you plead guilty.

What happens if you are suspended and need to drive

If your license is suspended for points, you can request a provisional license from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. A provisional license allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs — but not for other purposes. You must carry proof of the provisional license and proof of your destination at all times while driving.

To request a provisional license, contact your local DMV office or call the DMV customer service line. You will need to explain why you need to drive and provide documentation — such as a work letter, school enrollment, or medical appointment confirmation. The DMV reviews your request and either approves or denies it. There is no fee for a provisional license, but approval is not may provide.

If you are denied a provisional license or if your suspension period ends, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the DMV before your license is restored. The fee is typically $100 to $150, depending on the reason for suspension. Once you pay the fee, your license is reinstated and you can drive normally again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before three years pass?

Only through a defensive driving course, which removes up to four points and can be used once every three years. Otherwise, points remain on your record for the full three-year period from the conviction date. After three years, they drop off automatically with no action needed on your part.

Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my South Carolina suspension?

Yes. South Carolina counts violations from other states through the Interstate Compact on Driver's License Compact, which shares conviction information between states. A speeding ticket from North Carolina or Georgia will add points to your South Carolina record just as if it occurred in South Carolina.

What is the difference between points and a criminal record?

Points are a driving record consequence that affects your license and insurance. A criminal record is a separate consequence that affects employment, housing, and background checks. Some violations create both points and a criminal record, while others create only points. Ask the court or prosecutor which applies to your specific violation.

If I pay a traffic fine, do the points go away?

No. Paying the fine and having points are separate matters. You must pay the fine regardless, and the points remain on your record for three years. Paying the fine does not reduce or remove the points — only a defensive driving course or the passage of three years will do that.

How do I know if my license is about to be suspended?

Request your driving record from the DMV, which shows your current point total and the dates when points will drop off. If you are close to 12 points, consider taking a defensive driving course to reduce your total before suspension occurs. The DMV does not send a warning before suspension — it only sends notice after the suspension takes effect.