The whole South Carolina file

SOUTH CAROLINA FIELD FILE

Every section, top to bottom.

About this guide — education built from the South Carolina Code of Laws as the Legislative Council publishes it, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.

After a crash, the sections this page reads say, in short:

A driver in a crash that injures or kills someone stops immediately at the scene or as close as possible, and stays until the duty to give information and render aid is met.
The driver may leave temporarily to report the crash to the authorities.
A driver in a crash damaging an attended vehicle stops and stays on the same terms.
The driver gives a name, an address and the registration number of the vehicle, and shows a driver's license on request.
The driver gives reasonable assistance to anyone injured, including arranging their carriage to a doctor or hospital where treatment is apparently necessary or the person asks.
A driver who hits an unattended vehicle stops and finds the owner, or leaves a written note in a conspicuous place with names, addresses and what happened.

Leaving where someone is hurt. Failing to stop or comply where someone is injured is a misdemeanor carrying thirty days to one year or a fine of $100 to $5,000, or both. Where great bodily injury results it is a felony carrying thirty days to ten years and a fine of $5,000 to $10,000; where death results, a felony carrying one to twenty five years and a fine of $10,000 to $25,000.

S.C. Code 56-5-1210

A driver in a crash that injures or kills anyone gives notice immediately, by the quickest means, to the local police within a municipality, and otherwise to the sheriff or the nearest Highway Patrol office. Where a crash with an injury, a death, or apparent damage of $1,000 or more was not investigated by an officer, the operator or owner sends a written report with verification of liability insurance to the Department of Motor Vehicles within fifteen days.

Failing to send that report verified as to insurance is prima facie evidence the vehicle was uninsured. A driver whose damaged vehicle is blocking traffic makes every reasonable effort to move it off the roadway if it can be driven safely, and moving it is not by itself a sign of fault. Who was at fault and the insurance claim are not on this page. A particular crash is a question for a licensed South Carolina attorney.

Sources for this section (6)

S.C. Code 56-5-1210 — Duties of drivers involved in accident resulting in death or personal injury
S.C. Code 56-5-1220 — Duties of driver involved in accident resulting in damage to attended vehicles
S.C. Code 56-5-1230 — Duty to give information and render aid
S.C. Code 56-5-1270 — Operators, owners, and law enforcement officers shall make written reports of certain accidents
S.C. Code 56-5-1240 — Duties of driver involved in accident involving unattended vehicle
S.C. Code 56-5-1260 — Immediate report of accidents resulting in personal injury or death

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.

SOUTH CAROLINA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Being stopped

Marijuana and drugs

Impaired driving

Court and money

Your home

Recording

Carrying a firearm

Charges and penalties

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

SOUTH CAROLINA FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

After A CrashS.C. Code 56-5-1210 and S.C. Code 56-5-1230 — stop, stay, exchange, help, and a report within fifteen days▾

Crossing The RoadS.C. Code 56-5-3130 — the crosswalk without a signal, and walking on the left where there is no sidewalk▾

Staying In Your LaneS.C. Code 56-5-1900 — as nearly as practicable within one lane, and no move until it is safe▾

The Last Hundred FeetS.C. Code 56-5-2150 — a turn signal for the last one hundred feet, and a $25 fine with no points▾

On A BicycleS.C. Code 56-5-3430 — as near the right as practicable, no more than two abreast, a light at night▾

Traffic StopsS.C. Code 56-5-750 and S.C. Code 56-1-190 — stop for the blue light, and the license and insurance on demand▾

The Insurance SuspensionS.C. Code 56-10-240 and S.C. Code 56-10-520 — insure or surrender the plate, a $5 a day fine, and the uninsured fee▾

Driving While SuspendedS.C. Code 56-1-460 — $300 or thirty days for a first offense▾

Where You May Not ParkS.C. Code 56-5-2530 — fifteen feet from a hydrant, twenty from a crosswalk, thirty from a stop sign▾

Passing A School BusS.C. Code 56-5-2770 and S.C. Code 56-5-2780 — stop for the red lights from either direction, except across a four lane road▾

Reckless DrivingS.C. Code 56-5-2920 — wilful or wanton disregard, $25 to $200 or thirty days▾

Your Phone Behind The WheelS.C. Code 56-5-3890 — no holding the phone, a $100 fine, and no search because of it▾

The Motorcycle HelmetS.C. Code 56-5-3660 — required under the age of twenty-one▾

Seat Belts, And The Stop They Cannot MakeS.C. Code 56-5-6520 and S.C. Code 56-5-6540 — a $25 fine, no search, and a stop only on a clear view▾

The Car Seat RulesS.C. Code 56-5-6410 — rear facing under two, a booster from four, the adult belt at eight or fifty-seven inches▾

One Plate And Nothing Over ItS.C. Code 56-3-1240 — the plate on the rear, fastened level, with no tinted cover, and a frame only if every character shows▾

The Tint On Your WindowsS.C. Code 56-5-5015 — twenty-seven percent of the light through the side and rear glass, nothing below the AS1 line, and a certificate on each window▾

Speed LimitsS.C. Code 56-5-1520 — seventy on the interstate, fifty-five elsewhere, thirty in town, and fines by how far over▾

The Equipment StopS.C. Code 56-5-4450 — headlights from a half hour after sunset, and whenever the wipers are on for rain▾

The Golf Cart On The StreetS.C. Code 56-2-90 — a permit decal, a licensed driver of sixteen, daylight only, and within four miles of home▾

Points And SuspensionS.C. Code 56-1-720 and S.C. Code 56-1-740 — twelve points suspends a license, and older points count for less▾

The Bicycle With A Motor, And The MopedS.C. Code 56-5-3520 and S.C. Code 56-2-3070 — a bicycle with a helper motor rides as a bicycle, and a moped tops out at thirty-five▾

Being stopped

Resisting And FleeingS.C. Code 16-9-320 and S.C. Code 56-5-750 — resisting an arrest, and failing to stop for blue lights▾

Being ArrestedS.C. Code 17-13-50 — the right to know the true ground of the arrest▾

Taken In For An EvaluationS.C. Code 44-17-410 — an affidavit and a doctor's certificate, probate court review within forty-eight hours, and a hearing within fifteen days▾

Marijuana and drugs

Marijuana And DrugsS.C. Code 44-53-370 — one ounce or less is a misdemeanor; more than one ounce is prima facie intent to distribute▾

ParaphernaliaS.C. Code 44-53-391 — a civil fine of up to $500 that carries no criminal disability▾

Calling For An OverdoseS.C. Code 44-53-1920 — immunity for the caller who gives a name and stays▾

Impaired driving

The DUI StopS.C. Code 56-5-2930 and S.C. Code 56-5-2950 — impairment, the breath test, and the video▾

Under 21 And DrivingS.C. Code 56-1-286 — two one-hundredths of one percent, and a test on reasonable suspicion▾

Open Container In A VehicleS.C. Code 61-4-110 and S.C. Code 61-6-4020 — beer and wine outside the trunk, and liquor with the seal broken▾

On The WaterS.C. Code 50-21-112 and S.C. Code 50-21-870 — boating under the influence, life jackets, and idle speed near docks▾

Court and money

Getting The Deposit BackS.C. Code 27-40-410 — an itemized notice within thirty days, or three times the amount withheld▾

When The Landlord Will Not Fix ItS.C. Code 27-40-440 and S.C. Code 27-40-610 — fit and habitable, and a fourteen day notice▾

Being EvictedS.C. Code 27-40-710 and S.C. Code 27-37-20 — five days on rent, a rule to vacate, ten days to show cause▾

Locked Out By The LandlordS.C. Code 27-40-660 — three months' rent or twice the damages, whichever is greater▾

Retaliatory EvictionS.C. Code 27-40-910 — no rent hike, cut service or eviction for a complaint▾

When The Landlord Can Come InS.C. Code 27-40-530 — twenty-four hours' notice, at reasonable times, with the exceptions it lists▾

What A Lease Cannot SayS.C. Code 27-40-330 — no waiver of rights, no confession of judgment, no excusing the landlord▾

Notice To End A TenancyS.C. Code 27-40-770 — seven days for week to week, thirty for month to month▾

Dying Without A WillS.C. Code 62-2-102 — the spouse takes all, or one-half where there are children▾

A Small EstateS.C. Code 62-3-1201 — an affidavit after thirty days, for an estate of $45,000 or less▾

Signing Over AuthorityS.C. Code 62-8-105 — signed, witnessed like a will, and acknowledged▾

When A Court Appoints A GuardianS.C. Code 62-5-304 — clear and convincing evidence, and orders only as far as the incapacity requires▾

Hurt At WorkS.C. Code 42-15-20 and S.C. Code 42-15-40 — notice within ninety days, a claim within two years▾

Discrimination At WorkS.C. Code 1-13-80 and S.C. Code 1-13-90 — the protected grounds, and a sworn complaint within one hundred eighty days▾

Getting PaidS.C. Code 41-10-50 and S.C. Code 41-10-80 — final pay within forty-eight hours or the next payday, and three times what was not paid▾

When A Meeting Is PublicS.C. Code 30-4-60 and S.C. Code 30-4-80 — open unless closed for a listed reason, and an agenda twenty-four hours ahead▾

Getting Public RecordsS.C. Code 30-4-30 — a right to inspect and copy, at fees no more than the actual cost▾

Grandparents And VisitationS.C. Code 63-3-530 — more than ninety days denied, and clear and convincing evidence▾

What Parents Answer ForS.C. Code 63-5-60 — up to $5,000 for a child's malicious or wilful harm▾

Turning EighteenS.C. Code 15-1-320 — a minor is a person under eighteen, except in the alcohol laws▾

Helping At The SceneS.C. Code 15-1-310 — no civil liability for good faith emergency care, short of gross negligence▾

A Death Somebody CausedS.C. Code 15-51-10 and S.C. Code 15-3-530 — an action by the executor, within three years of the death▾

When They Take The Car BackS.C. Code 37-5-111 and S.C. Code 37-5-112 — a notice of the right to cure, twenty days, and no entry into a home▾

A Lien On Your HouseS.C. Code 29-5-90 and S.C. Code 29-5-120 — a statement within ninety days, a suit within six months▾

Signing Over A CarS.C. Code 56-19-360 — the seller assigns the title at delivery, and the sale is not complete between the two until the buyer applies▾

Assistance Dogs In PublicS.C. Code 43-33-20 and S.C. Code 47-3-980 — no extra charge for the dog, and a civil fine for passing off a pet▾

Dog BitesS.C. Code 47-3-110 — the owner or keeper is liable for a bite in a public place or where the person was lawfully present▾

A Dog Called DangerousS.C. Code 47-3-710 and S.C. Code 47-3-760 — never for its breed alone, a locked pen, and fifty thousand dollars of insurance or bond▾

The Dog The Pound Picked UpS.C. Code 47-3-40 and S.C. Code 47-3-50 — proof of a rabies shot and the fee, which bars a charge for running at large▾

Voting Step By StepS.C. Code 7-5-150 and S.C. Code 7-13-710 — the books close thirty days out, and a photo identification at the polls▾

Voting After A ConvictionS.C. Code 7-5-120 — no vote while serving a sentence, and the right returns once the sentence, probation and parole are served▾

When You Are The VictimS.C. Code 16-3-1520 and S.C. Code 16-3-1550 — the incident report free, notice before release, and a voice at sentencing▾

An Interpreter In CourtS.C. Code 17-1-50 and S.C. Code 15-27-15 — appointed in a criminal case, and for a deaf party or witness, with the state paying▾

Working Under EighteenS.C. Code 41-13-20 and S.C. Code 41-13-25 — rules no stricter than the federal ones, a warning first or up to a thousand dollars▾

Who Has To Report ItS.C. Code 63-7-310 and S.C. Code 63-7-410 — the professionals who must report child abuse or neglect, and up to six months for knowingly not▾

The Value On Your Tax BillS.C. Code 12-60-2510 and S.C. Code 12-60-2530 — ninety days to object to a notice, a conference, then the county board▾

The Break On Your Tax BillS.C. Code 12-37-250 — the first fifty thousand dollars of the home's value, at sixty-five, totally disabled or legally blind▾

When The Taxes Go UnpaidS.C. Code 12-51-40 and S.C. Code 12-51-90 — a notice, a sale, and twelve months to redeem with interest up to twelve percent▾

The Strip You Have Been MowingS.C. Code 15-67-210 and S.C. Code 15-3-340 — ten years of adverse possession, and without a deed only what is fenced and worked▾

When The House Is ForeclosedS.C. Code 15-39-720 and S.C. Code 29-3-660 — a court foreclosure, bidding open thirty days, and a deficiency judgment▾

The Form That Comes With The HouseS.C. Code 27-50-40 and S.C. Code 27-50-65 — the seller's disclosure statement, and actual damages for one known to be false▾

When The Storage Unit Is SoldS.C. Code 39-20-45 — fifty days in default, written notice at fourteen, and an advertised sale▾