South Carolina Driving Record
South Carolina Driver License
South Carolina issues both five-year and ten-year licenses. If you are a United States citizen and you visit a DMV branch office to obtain an original or renewal license, you will receive a ten-year license unless you are over 65 years of age. Persons who are 65 years of age or older may not obtain a ten year license, but will be issued a five year license. If you apply for a license renewal online, you will be issued a five-year license.
When you apply for a driver's license, SCDMV will run automatic checks agains the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) and the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) databases to check your prior driving history in other states. The checks are performed when a customer applies for an original credential, renews a credential, is reexamined or moves from a beginner permit to a license. They are designed to insure drivers have only one valid license at a time.
South Carolina Point System
South Carolina has established the following guidelines for issuing points to a driver record.
| Points | Type of Violation |
|---|
| 2 | Failure to dim lights |
| 2 | Improper backing |
| 2 | Speeding no more than 10 mph above the limit |
| 2 | Improperly changing lanes |
| 2 | Dangerous parking |
| 2 | Improper lights |
| 2 | Driving in the wrong lane |
| 2 | Having a defective tail light |
| 2 | Driving at least 10 mph too fast for conditions |
| 2 | Driving in unsafe conditions |
| 4 | Failing to yield right-of-way |
| 4 | Speeding more than 10 mph above the limit but less than 25 mph above |
| 4 | Failing to give a signal for stopping, turning or suddenly decreasing speed |
| 4 | Following too closely |
| 4 | Illegal turning |
| 4 | Illegal passing |
| 4 | Improper brakes |
| 4 | Improper or no signal |
| 4 | Operating on the wrong side of the road |
| 4 | Driving within or through a safety zone |
| 4 | Ignoring approaching train signal |
| 4 | Ignoring railroad signal/sign |
| 4 | Ignoring traffic director |
| 4 | Ignoring any traffic device |
| 6 | Reckless driving |
| 6 | Passing a stopped school bus |
| 6 | Speeding more than 25 mph above the limit |
Additional South Carolina Resources
South Carolina County Coverage
South Carolina City Coverage
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