Speed Limits
S.C. Code 56-5-1520 — seventy on the interstate, fifty-five elsewhere, thirty in town, and fines by how far over
No one may drive faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions and hazards, and speed is reduced near intersections, railroad crossings, curves, hills, narrow bridges, pedestrians and bad weather.
- Seventy miles an hour on interstates and freeways where posted.
- Sixty miles an hour on multilane divided primary highways where posted.
- Fifty-five miles an hour elsewhere, and forty miles an hour on unpaved roads.
- Thirty miles an hour in an urban district.
Those are the maximum lawful speeds unless they are changed and posted.
- Up to ten miles an hour over: not less than $15 nor more than $25.
- More than ten and less than fifteen over: not less than $25 nor more than $50.
- More than fifteen and less than twenty-five over: not less than $50 nor more than $75.
- More than twenty-five over: not less than $75 nor more than $200, or up to thirty days.
Those are the fines for a first offense. The citation must note the speed charged. Points on the license are counted under their own section.
Sources for this section (1)
- S.C. Code 56-5-1520 — General rules as to maximum speed limits
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.