Points And Suspension
S.C. Code 56-1-720 and S.C. Code 56-1-740 — twelve points suspends a license, and older points count for less
- Six points: reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus, a hit-and-run with property damage only, and speeding 25 m.p.h. or above the limit.
- Four points: speeding more than 10 m.p.h. but less than 25 m.p.h. over, disobeying a traffic control device or an officer, failing to yield, driving on the wrong side, unlawful passing or turning, and following too closely.
- Two points: speeding no more than 10 m.p.h. over, improper lights, an improper lane, improper backing, and a second distracted driving offense.
Those are among the point values the Department of Motor Vehicles assigns to convictions.
Twelve points. A total of twelve points shows disrespect for the traffic laws and supports a suspension: twelve to fifteen points, three months' suspension; sixteen or seventeen points, four months' suspension; eighteen or nineteen points, five months' suspension; twenty points and over, six months' suspension. A driver who works or attends college may apply for a restricted license to drive to and from it.
Points from the twelve months before the latest violation count in full, those from twelve to twenty-four months before count at half value, and older ones do not count.
Completing an approved defensive driving course after points are assessed reduces the number of points by four, no more than once in any three-year period. A particular record is a question for the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Sources for this section (4)
- S.C. Code 56-1-720 — Point system established; schedule of points for violations
- S.C. Code 56-1-740 — Suspension of driver's license on points; special restricted driver's licenses
- S.C. Code 56-1-750 — Computation of points
- S.C. Code 56-1-770 — Points reduced for completing defensive driving course
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.