S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2230 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 23 / Section 56-3-2230
SECTION 56-3-2230. Department of Motor Vehicles may classify certain motorcycles as antique.
Status: in_force

(a) Every motorcycle over twenty-five years old, which is owned solely as a collector's item and is used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades and similar uses, but is not used for general transportation, may be classified by the Department of Motor Vehicles as an antique motorcycle. (b) Upon receipt of an application on a form prescribed by the Department, it may issue appropriately designated license plates to owners of antique motorcycles. An antique motorcycle license plate shall be valid as long as title to the motorcycle is vested in the applicant. The fee for the certificate of registration and license plate of any such motorcycle shall be ten dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-14-160 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 14 / Section 56-14-160
SECTION 56-14-160. Civil actions; venue; demand for mediation; injunctions.
Status: in_force

(A) A dealer, manufacturer, or warrantor injured by another party's violation of this chapter may bring a civil action in circuit court to recover actual damages. The court shall award attorney's fees and costs to the prevailing party in such an action. Venue for any civil action authorized by this section shall be in any county in this State in which the dealer's business is located. In an action involving more than one dealer, venue may be in any county in this State in which any dealer that is party to the action is located. (B) Prior to bringing suit under this section, the party bringing suit for an alleged violation shall serve a written demand for mediation upon the offending party. The demand for mediation shall be served upon the other party via certified mail at the address stated within the manufacturer/dealer agreement between the parties. The demand for mediation shall contain a brief statement of the dispute and the relief sought by the party filing the demand. (C) Within twenty days after the date a demand for mediation is served, the parties shall mutually select an independent certified mediator and meet with that mediator for the purpose of attempting to resolve the dispute. The meeting place shall be in this State in a location selected by the mediator. The mediator may extend the date of the meeting for good cause shown either party or upon stipulation of both parties. (D) The service of a demand for mediation under this section shall toll the time for the filing of any complaint, petition, protest, or other action under this chapter until representatives of both parties have met with a mutually selected mediator for the purpose of attempting to resolve the dispute. If a complaint, petition, protest, or other action is filed before that meeting, the court shall enter an order suspending the proceeding or action until the mediation meeting has occurred and may, upon written stipulation of all parties to the proceeding or action that they wish to continue to mediate under this section, enter an order suspending the proceeding or action for as long a period as the court considers appropriate. (E) The parties to the mediation shall bear their own costs for attorney's fees and divide equally the cost of the mediator. (F) In addition to the remedies provided in this section and notwithstanding the existence of any additional remedy at law, a manufacturer, or warrantor, or a dealer is authorized to make application to a circuit court for the grant, upon a hearing and for cause shown, of a temporary or permanent injunction, or both, restraining any person from acting as a dealer without being properly licensed, from violating or continuing to violate any of the provisions of this chapter, or from failing or refusing to comply with the requirements of this chapter. Such injunction shall be issued without bond. A single act in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be sufficient to authorize the issuance of an injunction. Editor's Note 2017 Act No. 51,SECTIONS 6, 7, provide: "SECTION 6. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 14, Title 56. "SECTION 7. This act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor and applies to manufacturer/dealer agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2018."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2210 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 23 / Section 56-3-2210
SECTION 56-3-2210. Department of Motor Vehicles may classify certain motor vehicles as antique.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle as herein defined which is over twenty-five years old, is owned solely as a collector's item and is used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar uses, but in no event used for general transportation, may be classified by the Department of Motor Vehicles as an antique motor vehicle.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4410 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4410
SECTION 56-5-4410. Unlawful to operate unsafe or improperly equipped vehicle or to violate provisions of article.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or move or for the owner to cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such an unsafe condition as to endanger any person or property or which does not contain those parts or is not at all times equipped with lights, brakes, steering and other equipment in proper condition and adjustment as required in this article or which is equipped in any manner in violation of this article or for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required under this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-420 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-420
SECTION 56-1-420. Effect of dissolution of injunction restraining suspension or revocation of license.
Status: in_force

If any court restrains or enjoins the Department of Motor Vehicles from enforcing the suspension or revocation of any license and the suspension or revocation is finally determined to have been properly put into effect by the department, the time during which the revocation or suspension was made ineffective by the judicial order shall not be considered part of the time during which the suspension or revocation was in effect. It is the purpose of this section to ensure that the license shall be suspended or revoked for the full term of such suspension or revocation, if proper in the first place.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5920 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 41 / Section 56-5-5920
SECTION 56-5-5920. Article not applicable to certain vehicles.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall not apply to vehicles housed or protected from the elements, those classified as antiques and registered pursuant to Sections 56-3-2210 and 56-3-2220, those exempted from registration pursuant to Section 56-3-120, those vehicles reported as stolen in accordance with Section 56-5-5900, unless any such vehicle presents an immediate safety or health hazard or constitutes a nuisance.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-100 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 56-15-100
SECTION 56-15-100. Discounts, refunds, and other inducements to dealers.
Status: in_force

In connection with a sale of a motor vehicle or vehicles to the State or to any political subdivision thereof, no manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall offer any discounts, refunds or any other similar type of inducement to any dealer without making the same offer or offers to all other of its dealers within the relevant market area, and if such inducements are made, the manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler shall give simultaneous notice thereof to all of its dealers within the relevant market area who have requested such notice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-11-415 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 11 / Article 5 / Section 56-11-415
SECTION 56-11-415. Exemption for certain motor carriers.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of this chapter, a motor carrier, as defined in Section 56-11-10, which operates one hundred percent of its miles within the boundaries of this State is exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-480 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-480
SECTION 56-5-480. Sidewalk defined.
Status: in_force

A "sidewalk" is that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines, of a roadway and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2380 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 26 / Section 56-3-2380
SECTION 56-3-2380. Denial of application; suspension or revocation of registration; refusal to renew registration.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may deny the application of any person for registration under this article and may suspend or revoke a registration or refuse to issue a renewal thereof if it is determined that the applicant or registrant has: (a) Made a material misrepresentation in his application; (b) Used or permitted the use of plates contrary to law; (c) Been found guilty of fraud or fraudulent practices; (d) Failed to comply with any of the regulations of the department for the enforcement of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1910 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 13 / Section 56-5-1910
SECTION 56-5-1910. One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
Status: in_force

(a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may designate any highway, roadway, part of a roadway or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic-control devices. (b) Upon a roadway so designated for one-way traffic, a vehicle shall be driven only in the direction designated at all or such times as shall be indicated by official traffic-control devices. (c) A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of such island.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-464 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-464
SECTION 56-1-464. Cancellation, suspension, or revocation of license based on out-of-state violation.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-1-460, a person who drives a motor vehicle on any public highway of the State when his license is canceled, suspended, or revoked solely based on an out-of-state motor vehicle violation for which the penalty is a fine and the fine has not been paid to the out-of-state agency and when the violation is not based upon a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a reckless driving charge may petition the magistrate's court to dismiss the state's charge of driving under suspension based upon the out-of-state violation if: (1) the person presents to the court a satisfactory resolution of the out-of- state violation as exhibited by an official receipt from the out-of-state agency that the fine has been paid; and (2) the person pays an assessment to the magistrate's court for a first offense of five hundred dollars; for a second offense of one thousand dollars; for a third offense of one thousand five hundred dollars; and for a fourth and subsequent offense of two thousand dollars. This assessment is not subject to an additional assessment under the provisions of Sections 14-1-207 or 14-1-208. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, an offense punishable under this item must be tried exclusively in magistrate's court. Editor's Note 2002 Act No. 348, SECTION 7(B), provides as follows: "The provisions of Section 56-1-464 as contained in this section apply to any applicable out-of-state offense committed within the last ten years before the effective date of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5040 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-5040
SECTION 56-5-5040. Tires.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer operated upon the highways shall be equipped with tires of sufficient size and in sufficient number to distribute the wheel loads on the road surface so as to avoid damage to the highway, and all such tires shall be in a safe operating condition. Every solid rubber tire on a vehicle shall have rubber on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway. No tire on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, stud, flange, cleat or spike or any other protuberance of any material other than rubber (or other resilient material) which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire, except that it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway and except also that it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety, because of snow, ice or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid. It shall also be permissible to use upon any vehicle for increased safety, regular and snow tires with studs which project beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire not more than one sixteenth of an inch when compressed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3435 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 27 / Section 56-5-3435
SECTION 56-5-3435. Driver to maintain safe operating distance between motor vehicle and bicycle.
Status: in_force

A driver of a motor vehicle must at all times maintain a safe operating distance between the motor vehicle and a bicycle.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2180 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 56-5-2180
SECTION 56-5-2180. Signals given by hand and arm or signal lamps.
Status: in_force

(a) Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps except as otherwise provided in subsection (b). (b) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty-four inches or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle or to any combination of vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-36-50 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 36 / Section 56-36-50
SECTION 56-36-50. Applicability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of Section 38-43-500 and Chapter 31, Title 56 are not applicable to this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1730 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 9 / Section 56-1-1730
SECTION 56-1-1730. Eligibility, suspension, revocation, or cancellation of moped operator's license.
Status: in_force

(A) A person is eligible for a moped operator's license without regard to his eligibility for or the status of any other driver's license or permit. (B) The Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend, revoke, or cancel a moped operator's license only for violations committed while operating a moped. A moped operator's license may be suspended, revoked, or canceled in the same manner and upon the same grounds for which any other motor vehicle operator's license or permit may be suspended, revoked, or canceled. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 89, SECTION 8, inserted the paragraph identifiers, and designated the first sentence as (A) and the remainder of the section as (B).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6525 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 48 / Section 56-5-6525
SECTION 56-5-6525. Limits on use of checkpoints or roadblocks to enforce this article.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Public Safety or any other law enforcement agency must not use a "Click It or Ticket" campaign or a similar endeavor of systematic checkpoints or roadblocks as a law enforcement tool where the principal purpose is to detect and issue a ticket to a violator of the provisions of this article on either a primary or secondary basis. (B) A person must not be issued a citation at any checkpoint established to stop all drivers on a certain road for a period of time for removing their seatbelts in order to retrieve documentation that must be produced at the checkpoint.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-620 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 2 / Section 56-1-620
SECTION 56-1-620. Legislative findings and policy.
Status: in_force

(A) The General Assembly and the states that are party to the compact find that: (1) the safety of their streets and highways is materially affected by the degree of compliance with state laws and local ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles; (2) the violation of a law or ordinance is evidence that the violator engages in conduct which is likely to endanger the safety of persons and property; (3) the continuance in force of a license to drive is predicated upon compliance with laws and ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles in whichever jurisdiction the vehicle is operated. (B) It is the policy of the General Assembly and of each of the party states to: (1) promote compliance with the laws, ordinances, and administrative regulations relating to the operation of motor vehicles by their operators in each of the jurisdictions where the operators drive motor vehicles; (2) make the reciprocal recognition of licenses to drive and eligibility therefor more just and equitable by considering the overall compliance as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of any license by reason of which the licensee is authorized to operate a motor vehicle in any of the party states.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2510 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 27 / Section 56-3-2510
SECTION 56-3-2510. Department of Motor Vehicles may assign new identifying numbers; special plate or number affixed to vehicle.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may assign a distinguishing number to a motor vehicle whenever the motor or serial number thereon is destroyed, replaced or obliterated and may issue or assign to the owner a special plate or number which shall be affixed to the vehicle or stamped on the vehicle in a place to be determined by the Department. Such motor vehicle shall be registered and licensed under such distinguishing number in lieu of the former motor number or serial number.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-380 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-380
SECTION 56-1-380. Period of suspension or revocation; renewal or restoration of license.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not suspend a driver's license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways for a period of more than one year, except as otherwise permitted or authorized by law. Any person whose license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways has been revoked shall not be entitled to have such license or privilege renewed or restored unless the revocation was for a cause which has been removed, except that after the expiration of at least one year from the date on which the revoked license was surrendered to and received by the department, or as may otherwise be provided for by law, such person may make application for a new license as provided by law, but the department shall not then issue a new license unless and until it is satisfied, after investigation of the character, habits, and driving ability of such person, that it will be safe to grant the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1380 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 7 / Section 56-1-1380
SECTION 56-1-1380. Effect of convictions outside of State.
Status: in_force

Upon conviction of the offense stated in Section 56-1-1320, outside the jurisdiction of the State, the person convicted may apply for the provisional driver's license in the event his South Carolina driver's license is revoked as a result of such conviction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-820 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 56-5-820
SECTION 56-5-820. Violations of low speed vehicle laws; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) A person operating a low speed vehicle on a highway must comply with all statutes regarding low speed vehicles in this title. (B) Each violation of low speed vehicle laws constitutes a separate offense. (C) The penalty for a violation of this section is contained in Section 56-5-6190.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-260 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 3 / Section 56-10-260
SECTION 56-10-260. False certificate or false evidence of insurance; penalties; special restricted driver's licenses.
Status: in_force

(A) Any person who knowingly makes a false certificate as to whether a motor vehicle is an insured motor vehicle or presents to the Department of Motor Vehicles false evidence that any motor vehicle sought to be registered is insured is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days and, upon conviction of a second offense, be fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days, or both, and for a third or subsequent offense must be imprisoned for not less than forty-five days nor more than six months. Only convictions which occurred within five years including and immediately preceding the date of the last conviction constitute prior convictions within the meaning of this section. The department shall deny, for a period of six months, registration of any motor vehicle for which a false certificate or false evidence is presented that the vehicle is insured and shall revoke, and may not thereafter reissue for a period of six months, the driver's license of any person making a false certificate or offering false evidence, and then only when all other provisions of law have been complied with by that person. (B)(1) If a person is employed or enrolled in a college or university at any time while his driver's license is suspended pursuant to this section, he may apply for a special restricted driver's license permitting him to drive only to and from work or his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license only upon a showing by the person that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, and that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment or place of education. The department may not issue the special restricted driver's license until proof of financial responsibility has been filed. (2) If the department issues a special restricted driver's license, it shall designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the person may operate a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee. (3) The fee for each special restricted driver's license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee is due because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Of this fee, twenty dollars must be distributed to the general fund and eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167. (4) The operation of a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special restricted license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-630 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 7 / Section 56-10-630
SECTION 56-10-630. Purpose of article.
Status: in_force

(A) The General Assembly finds that the purpose of this article is to help reduce the uninsured motorist population in this State and to measure the effectiveness of the motorist insurance database established pursuant to this article. (B) The General Assembly further recognizes that the information and data required to be disclosed by insurers in creating and maintaining the motorist insurance database is proprietary in nature. Accordingly, the parties handling this information and data must at all times maintain its confidential and proprietary nature. (C) The motorist insurance database program is created for the purpose of establishing a database to use when verifying compliance with the motor vehicle financial security requirements in this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4150 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4150
SECTION 56-5-4150. Investigation of vehicles; registration according to load capacity; marking empty weight on farm trucks; marking name of registered owner or lessor on certain vehicles.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles upon registering a vehicle, under the laws of this State, which is designed and used primarily for the transportation of property or for the transportation of ten or more persons, may require information and may make investigation or tests necessary to enable it to determine whether the vehicle may be operated safely upon the highways in accordance with all the provisions of this chapter. The department may register the vehicle for a load capacity which, added to the empty or unloaded weight of the vehicle, will result in a permissible gross weight not exceeding the limitations set forth in this chapter. It is unlawful for a person to operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a load capacity in excess of that for which it is registered by the department or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter. A person making application for a "farm truck" license shall declare in the form prescribed by the department the true unloaded or empty weight of the vehicle and shall stencil or mark in a conspicuous place on the left side of the vehicle the true unloaded or empty weight if the unloaded or empty weight is over five thousand pounds. A "farm truck" operating solely in intrastate commerce and otherwise specified in Section 56-5-225 is not required to have the name of the registered owner, lessor, or lessee stenciled or otherwise marked on the vehicle. (B) A private motor truck or truck tractor equal to or exceeding 26,001 pounds gross weight and a for-hire motor truck or truck tractor must have the name of the registered owner or lessor on the side clearly distinguishable at a distance of fifty feet. These provisions do not apply to two-axle straight trucks hauling raw farm and forestry products. Except as provided in subsection (A) concerning certain "farm trucks", a truck operating pursuant to the federal motor carrier safety regulations must operate with the owner's, lessor's, or lessee's name as required.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-900 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-900
SECTION 56-3-900. Procedures for refund when vehicle is not used or is destroyed.
Status: in_force

(A) When a vehicle is registered and licensed under this chapter and the required fee is paid but it has not been operated in this State or elsewhere as a vehicle registered and licensed under the laws of this State since the beginning of the registration and license period for which the registration and license fee was paid and a claim is filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles for a refund within ninety days after the date of the registration and license and the claim is supported by evidence of nonoperation satisfactory to the department and is accompanied by the return of the registration card and license plates, or satisfactory proof that the card or plates have been lost, the department may make refund to the original payer of the full amount of the biennial registration and license fee. (B) When a vehicle is registered and licensed under this chapter and the required fee is paid and the vehicle is junked or totally destroyed during the registration and license period for which the fee was paid and a claim is filed with the department for refund within ninety days after the date the vehicle was junked or destroyed and the claim is supported by evidence satisfactory to the department and is accompanied by the return of the registration card and license plates or sufficient proof that the card or plates have been lost, the department may refund the proportionate part of the license and registration fee paid, based on one twelfth of the fee paid for every full calendar month remaining if the vehicle received an annual registration, one twenty-fourth of the fee paid for every full calendar month remaining if the vehicle received a biennial registration, and one-sixth of the fee paid for every full calendar month remaining if the vehicle received a six-month registration in the registration and license period. However, no refund of less than ten dollars may be made under this section. (C) When a vehicle is sold and is licensed and registered with a South Carolina apportioned license plate and the required fee has been paid, the registrant may apply for a refund of the South Carolina apportioned fee based on the full months remaining in the license period within ninety days of the date of sale. Notification of the sale must be provided to the department along with the license plate and registration card. No refund may be made for less than ten dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2332 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 25 / Section 56-3-2332
SECTION 56-3-2332. Issuance of standard license plate to manufacturer for vehicles used in employee benefit program or for testing and promotional purposes; registration fee.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon application and payment of the required fee, the Department of Motor Vehicles may issue a standard license plate to a manufacturer for vehicles it has manufactured and which are used in a benefit program for the manufacturer's employees or used by the manufacturer for testing, distribution, evaluation, and promotion. (B) The annual registration fee provided for by this section is derived by computing the average price of the vehicle manufacturer's fleet times the property tax rates times the average millage for all purposes statewide for the preceding calendar year. (C) The plates issued in connection with an employee benefit program may be used only on vehicles provided for the applicant's employees. In the application, the manufacturer shall notify the department in which county the employee assigned the vehicle resides. Twenty dollars of the fee must be credited to the general fund of the State and the remainder must be remitted to the county noted on the application. Amounts received by a county pursuant to this subsection must be credited to the accounts of taxing entities in the county as if it were a county property tax and are instead of state sales or use taxes. If the employee resides outside this State, the fee must be credited to the general fund of the State. (D) The plates issued in connection with testing, distribution, evaluation, and promotion, not to exceed fifty plates, may be used only for those purposes. Twenty dollars of the fee must be credited to the general fund of the State and the remainder must be remitted to the county in which the principal facility of the manufacturer is located. Amounts received by a county pursuant to this subsection must be credited to the accounts of taxing entities in the county as if it were a county property tax and are instead of state sales or use taxes. The department may require the documentation it determines necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this subsection. (E) Before December thirty-first of each odd-numbered year, the manufacturer shall review the average price of its fleet and submit the cost to the Department of Revenue. The Department of Revenue shall determine the annual registration fee pursuant to subsection (B) and then notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of the adjusted fee amount, which is effective for the next two years. Editor's Note 2016 Act No. 214, SECTION 2, provides as follows: "SECTION 2. Notwithstanding Section 56-3-2332(B), for 2017 and 2018, the annual registration fee for license plates issued pursuant to Section 56-3-2332 is seven hundred eighty-nine dollars."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-465 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-465
SECTION 56-1-465. Notice of suspension required.
Status: in_force

The licensee shall be notified of suspension under Section 56-1-460 the same as is required when the license is suspended due to loss of points as provided in Section 56-1-810.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-4410 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 44 / Section 56-3-4410
SECTION 56-3-4410. "Share the Road" license plates; fees; special fund for bicycling safety and education programs.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Share the Road" special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630 and motorcycles registered in their names which may have imprinted on the plate an emblem, a seal, or other symbol of the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc. The Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc. shall submit to the department for its approval the emblem, seal, or other symbol it desires to be used for this special license plate. The Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc. may request a change in the emblem, seal, or other symbol not more than once every five years. The special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued. The fee for this special license plate is the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and a special motor vehicle license fee of thirty dollars. (B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, from the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167, an amount equal to the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles in producing and administering the special license plates. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be distributed to the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc., or another nonprofit fund designated by the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc., for the promotion of bicycling safety and education programs. Any remaining funds must be administered by the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc., used only for efforts to promote bicycle safety and education programs, and deposited in an appropriate nonprofit account designated by the Palmetto Cycling Coalition, Inc. (C) Before the department produces and distributes a plate authorized under this section, it must receive: (1) four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate or a deposit of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. If a deposit of four thousand dollars is made by an individual or organization pursuant to this section, the department must refund the four thousand dollars once an equivalent amount of license plate fees is collected for that organization's license plate. If the equivalent amount is not collected within four years of the first issuance of the license plate, then the department must retain the deposit; and (2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate that must be approved by the department. (D) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular special license plate authorized under this section, it shall not produce additional special license plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5000 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-5000
SECTION 56-5-5000. Windows unobstructed; windshield wipers.
Status: in_force

No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings or side or rear windows of such vehicle which obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway. The windshield on every motor vehicle shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow or other moisture from the windshield, which shall be so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the driver of the vehicle. Every windshield wiper upon a motor vehicle shall be maintained in good working order.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-490 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-490
SECTION 56-19-490. "Lemon Law" returns; notification; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) In every sale or transfer of a motor vehicle returned to the manufacturer under the provisions of Chapter 28, Title 56, a similar statute of another state, or as the result of a legal action, the title must have the following sentence printed on its face in large, bold, uppercase type: "RETURNED TO MANUFACTURER UNDER LEMON LAW OR OTHER PROCEEDING." The notice required under the provisions of this subsection must continue to appear on each title issued as a result of any subsequent sale or transfer of that motor vehicle. (B) Any person who transfers or attempts to transfer a motor vehicle in violation of this section is subject to a fine of not less than five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars if the person had knowledge that the motor vehicle was returned to the manufacturer for failure to meet express warranties under a "lemon law" or other similar proceeding.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5840 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 41 / Section 56-5-5840
SECTION 56-5-5840. Abandoned and derelict vehicles subject to removal and disposal.
Status: in_force

All abandoned and derelict vehicles shall be subject to removal from public or private property and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-610 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-610
SECTION 56-5-610. Park defined.
Status: in_force

To "park," when prohibited, means the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, otherwise than temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-490 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 56-9-490
SECTION 56-9-490. Installment payment of judgment; effect of default.
Status: in_force

A judgment debtor upon due notice to the judgment creditor may apply to the court in which the judgment was rendered for the privilege of paying the judgment in installments, and the court, in its discretion and without prejudice to any other legal remedies which the judgment creditor may have, may order and fix the amounts and times of payment of the installments. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not suspend a license, registration or nonresident's operating privilege and shall restore any license, registration or nonresident's operating privilege suspended following nonpayment of a judgment when the judgment debtor gives proof of financial responsibility and obtains an order permitting the payment of the judgment in installments and while the payment of any installment is not in default. In the event the judgment debtor fails to pay any installment as specified by the order, then upon notice of the default the Department shall suspend the license, registration or nonresident's operating privilege of the judgment debtor until the judgment is satisfied, as provided in this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-220 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-220
SECTION 56-5-220. Farm tractor defined.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement for drawing plows, mowing machines and other implements of husbandry is a "farm tractor."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-20 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 1 / Section 56-10-20
SECTION 56-10-20. Type of security required.
Status: in_force

The security required under this chapter is a policy or policies written by insurers authorized to write such policies in South Carolina providing for at least (1) the minimum coverages specified in Sections 38-77-140 through 38-77-230 and (2) the benefits required under Sections 38-77-240, 38-77-250, and 38-77-260. However, the director or his designee may approve and accept another form of security in lieu of such a liability insurance policy if he finds that such other form of security is adequate to provide and does in fact provide the benefits required by this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-14-80 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 14 / Section 56-14-80
SECTION 56-14-80. Manufacturer/dealer agreement.
Status: in_force

(A) A manufacturer or distributor may not sell a recreational vehicle in this State to or through a dealer without having first entered into a manufacturer/dealer agreement with a dealer signed by both parties. (B) The manufacturer shall designate the area of sales responsibility exclusively assigned to a dealer in the manufacturer/dealer agreement and may not contract with another dealer for sale of the same line make in the designated area for the duration of the agreement. (C) The area of sales responsibility may be reviewed or changed with the consent of both parties not less than twelve months after the execution of the manufacturer/dealer agreement. (D) A recreational vehicle dealer may not sell a new recreational vehicle in this State without having first entered into a manufacturer/dealer agreement with a manufacturer or distributor signed by both parties. Editor's Note 2017 Act No. 51,SECTIONS 6, 7, provide: "SECTION 6. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 14, Title 56. "SECTION 7. This act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor and applies to manufacturer/dealer agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2018."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5900 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 41 / Section 56-5-5900
SECTION 56-5-5900. Lienholders and owners of stolen vehicles not subject to penalties and charges.
Status: in_force

No lienholder shall be subject to any penalty imposed by law in this State for abandonment unless the vehicle is abandoned by the lienholder or his agent or servant. No owner of a vehicle which has been stolen and thereafter abandoned shall be liable for any charges or penalties imposed herein. A vehicle shall be deemed to be stolen when the owner notifies a law enforcement officer of this or another state, and such report is accepted and carried on the records of the agency receiving the report as a stolen vehicle.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-540 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 4 / Section 56-19-540
SECTION 56-19-540. Retirement of title certificate when lien reflected on affidavit but not evidenced by mortgage; separate Manufactured Home Lien Affidavit to be filed; form.
Status: in_force

(A) If at the time of the filing of the Manufactured Home Affidavit for the Retirement of Title Certificate by the Register of Deeds or Clerk of Court, the manufactured home is subject to a lien reflected on the affidavit but not otherwise evidenced by a mortgage, then a separate Manufactured Home Lien Affidavit in the form prescribed by this article is also to be filed. Payment must also be made of the filing fee for affidavits provided in Section 8-21-310. Upon filing, the lien becomes a lien against the real property to which the manufactured home is affixed and is to be indexed in the name of the owner identified on the Manufactured Home Lien Affidavit as mortgagor and secured parties, as mortgagees. Any lien on the manufactured home at the time of retirement of the title certificate must be perfected and have priority in the manner provided for a lien on real property. (B) The Manufactured Home Lien Affidavit must be in the following form: (3) The above described manufactured home is subject to a security lien and all secured parties with mailing addresses are listed below: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ (4) Full legal description of new property to which manufactured home is to be affixed using metes and bounds or reference to recorded plat by book and page. (A separate sheet identified as "Exhibit A" may be attached.) _________________________________________________________ (5) Derivation: This being the identical or a portion of property conveyed or leased to the owner by deed or lease from __________________________________________ and recorded ______________ in Book _______ at page _____________________. Tax map number______________________ Tax billing address__________________________________________ (6) Name of owner of real property if different from owner of manufactured home. _________________________________________________________ (7) The owner of the manufactured home affidavit was recorded on ____________________, in book _____________, at page __________________, in the County of ___________________. The owner certifies that the above information provided by the owner is true and correct to the best information and belief of the owner. Before me, the undersigned Notary Public, personally appeared ______________________________, who, being duly sworn, deposed and said that he saw ___________________________________, sign, seal, and deliver the foregoing Affidavit and that he, together with ____________________________ witnessed the execution thereof. ______________________________ SWORN to before me this _________ day of _______________ Notary Public for________________(L.S.) My Commission Expires:________
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14510 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 145 / Section 56-3-14510
SECTION 56-3-14510. Virginia Tech special license plates.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Virginia Tech" special license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, and motorcycles, as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. The fee for each special license plate is seventy dollars every two years, in addition to the regular motor vehicle license fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. Each license plate must be of the same size and general design as regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period that expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued. (B) The fees collected in excess of the cost of producing the license plates must be distributed to the South Carolina Palmetto Chapter of Virginia Tech. (C) The guidelines for the production, collection, and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, Section 56-3-14210, as added by 2017 Act No. 65, Section 5, was redesignated as Section 56-3-14510 to accommodate the addition of Section 56-3-14210 added by 2017 Act No. 21, Section 1.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4620 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4620
SECTION 56-5-4620. Lighting lamps on vehicles operated in combination.
Status: in_force

Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamp, except tail lamps, need not be lighted which, by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination, would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination, but this shall not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps, nor that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4055 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4055
SECTION 56-5-4055. Oversized vehicle on interstate highway.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of this article, relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversized loads or vehicles on the highways of this State or exemptions from permit requirements provided for oversized loads or vehicles, no vehicle or load shall be moved within the interstate highway system if such oversized load or vehicle could not be lawfully moved on the highways of this State pursuant to permit or otherwise on July 1, 1956.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1300 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 56-5-1300
SECTION 56-5-1300. Accident report forms.
Status: in_force

The Department of Public Safety shall prepare and upon request supply to police departments, coroners, sheriffs, garages and other suitable agencies or individuals forms for accident reports required hereunder, appropriate with respect to the persons required to make such reports and the purposes to be served. The written reports to be made by persons involved in accidents and by investigating officers shall call for sufficiently detailed information to disclose with reference to a traffic accident the cause, conditions then existing and the persons and vehicles involved. Every accident report required to be made in writing shall be made on the appropriate form approved by the Department and shall contain all of the information required therein unless not available.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-545 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 4 / Section 56-3-545
SECTION 56-3-545. Sale of Social Security number or driver's license photograph or signature prohibited.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may not sell, provide, or otherwise furnish to a private party Social Security numbers, copies of photographs, or signatures, whether digitized or not, taken for the purpose of a driver's license or personal identification card. A Social Security number, photograph, signature, or digitized image from a driver's license or personal identification card is not a public record.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-330 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-330
SECTION 56-1-330. Courts shall report certain convictions.
Status: in_force

Every court having jurisdiction over offenses committed under this article or other state laws or municipal ordinances regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways shall forward to the Department of Motor Vehicles a record of the conviction of any person in such court for a violation of such laws other than regulations governing standing or parking where a matter of safety is not involved.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-23-85 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 23 / Section 56-23-85
SECTION 56-23-85. Driver instructor permits required.
Status: in_force

A person connected with driver training schools or private, parochial, or public high schools shall not engage in either classroom only instruction, or behind the wheel only instruction, or both, unless the person has obtained and holds a valid driver instructor permit or temporary driver instructor permit issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Appropriate examination for an instructor permit must be at the discretion of the department. The annual fee for an instructor permit is twenty dollars, and all instructor permits expire on June thirtieth. Public and private high school instructors are not required to pay a fee for a permit. The proceeds from the sale of instructor permits must be deposited in the state general fund.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5030 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-5030
SECTION 56-5-5030. Devices to emit smoke screen, noisome gases, or odors prohibited.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to attach to any motor vehicle any device to emit from the exhaust pipe or any other part of such vehicle any smoke screen, noisome gases or odors. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive upon any highway or to have in his possession any motor vehicle to which is attached or unattached or in which is transported any device or substantial part of a device, attached or unattached, used in whole or in part for any smoke screen or any noisome gases or odors. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate in this State any device attached to any motor vehicle so as to emit from such device any smoke screen, noisome gases or odors. Any person violating any of the foregoing provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for not less than six months nor more than two years or fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, in the discretion of the court, and his driver's license shall be forthwith revoked for a period of two years. Any motor vehicle possessed or operated by any person in violation of this section shall be forfeited to the county in which such conviction is had. But the rights of innocent owners of mortgages shall be protected. Any such motor vehicle so forfeited may be redeemed by the owner upon the payment to the county treasurer of a sum of money agreed upon by the governing body and the sheriff of such county.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-662 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-662
SECTION 56-3-662. Identifier fees; administration and enforcement funding.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall charge a fee of five dollars for each identifier. The five-dollar identifier fee must be remitted to the general fund. The Department of Motor Vehicles may promulgate regulations pursuant to this section. The five-dollar fee collected pursuant to this section must be placed in a special restricted account by the Comptroller General to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the administration and enforcement of the provisions contained in Articles 3 and 5 of Chapter 23, Title 58, and for the building or renovation of weigh stations. All unexpended funds from prior years collected under this section may be retained and carried forward by the Department of Public Safety and used for these purposes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4740 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4740
SECTION 56-5-4740. Warning lamps.
Status: in_force

Any vehicle may be equipped with lamps which may be used for the purpose of warning the operators of other vehicles of the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring the exercise of unusual care in approaching, overtaking or passing, and when so equipped may display such warning in addition to any other warning signals required by this chapter. The lamps used to display such warning to the front shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall display simultaneously flashing white or amber lights or any shade of color between white and amber. The lamps used to display such warning to the rear shall be mounted at the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable and shall show simultaneously flashing amber or red lights or any shade of color between amber and red. These warning lights shall be visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-35-30 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 35 / Section 56-35-30
SECTION 56-35-30. Auxiliary power units.
Status: in_force

(A) For the purposes of this chapter, operating an auxiliary power unit, generator set, or another mobile idling reduction technology as a means to heat, air condition, or provide electrical power, as an alternative to idling the main engine, does not constitute idling an engine. (B) For a vehicle equipped with an auxiliary power unit designed for idling reduction, the gross vehicle weight or axle weight used to determine the fine for a violation of commercial vehicle weight restrictions is the actual gross vehicle weight or axle weight reduced by five hundred fifty pounds.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-29-60 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 29 / Section 56-29-60
SECTION 56-29-60. Civil proceedings.
Status: in_force

(A) The Attorney General, any circuit solicitor, or any aggrieved person may institute civil proceedings against any person in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking relief from conduct constituting a violation of any provision of this chapter. If the plaintiff in the proceeding proves the alleged violation, or its threat, by a preponderance of the evidence, any court of competent jurisdiction after due provision for the rights of innocent persons, shall grant relief by entering any appropriate order or judgment, including, but not limited to: (1) ordering any defendant to be divested of any interest in any property; (2) imposing reasonable restrictions upon the future activities or investments of any defendant, including prohibiting any defendant from engaging in the same type of endeavor as the defendant was engaged in previously; (3) ordering the surrender of the charter of a corporation organized under the laws of the State or the revocation of a certificate authorizing a foreign corporation to conduct business within the State upon finding that the board of directors or a managerial agent acting on behalf of the corporation, in conducting the affairs of the corporation, has authorized or engaged in conduct made unlawful by this chapter and that, for the prevention of future criminal conduct, the public interest requires the charter of the corporation be surrendered and the corporation dissolved or the certificate revoked. (B) In a proceeding under this section, injunctive relief must be granted in conformity with the principles that govern the granting of relief from injury or threatened injury in other cases, but no showing of special or irreparable injury must be made. Pending final determination of a proceeding under this section, a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction may be issued upon a showing of immediate danger of significant injury, including the possibility that any judgment for money damages might be difficult to execute, and, in a proceeding initiated by an aggrieved person, upon the execution of proper bond against injury for an injunction improvidently granted. (C) Any person injured, directly or indirectly, by conduct constituting a violation by any person of Section 56-29-30, in addition to any other relief, shall have a cause of action for threefold the actual damages sustained by the person. (D) A final judgment or decree rendered against the defendant in any civil or criminal proceeding shall estop the defendant in any subsequent civil action or proceeding brought by any person as to all matters as to which the judgment or decree would be an estoppel as between the parties to the civil or criminal proceeding. (E) Personal service of any process in an action under this section may be made upon any person outside the State if the person has engaged in any conduct constituting a violation of Section 56-29-30 in this State. The person is considered to have thereby submitted to the jurisdiction of the courts of this State for the purposes of this provision. (F) Obtaining any civil remedy under this section does not preclude obtaining any other civil or criminal remedy under either this act or any other provision of law. Civil remedies under this section are supplemental and not mutually exclusive.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-770 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 56-1-770
SECTION 56-1-770. Points reduced for completing defensive driving course.
Status: in_force

(A) Any driver who has accumulated points under the provisions of this article shall have the number of his points reduced by four upon proving to the satisfaction of the Department of Motor Vehicles that he has completed the National Safety Council's "Defensive Driving Course" or its equivalent, if the course is completed after the points have been assessed. The course must be taught by an instructor accredited by the National Safety Council whose procedures for accreditation are set forth in the "Manual of Rules and Procedures" published by the National Safety Council or equivalent accreditation procedures. The department shall establish procedures by which driver training schools may apply to the department for approval of a defensive driving course which will qualify those successfully completing the course for a reduction in points pursuant to this section. The department shall approve the National Safety Council's "Defensive Driving Course" or its equivalent when offered by driver training schools and taught by an instructor accredited by the National Safety Council or equivalent accreditation procedures. (B) Any driver with a Class M (motorcycle) endorsement who has accumulated points under the provisions of this article shall have the number of his points reduced by four upon proving to the satisfaction of the Department of Motor Vehicles that he has successfully completed a South Carolina technical college motorcycle safety course or its equivalent. All courses offered for point reduction must be at least eight hours in length and be taught by an instructor accredited through a training program in which the procedures for accreditation are equivalent to those set forth in "Manual of Rules and Procedures" published by the National Safety Council. (C) No person's points may be reduced more than one time in any three-year period, pursuant to the provisions contained in this section. Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 127, SECTION 2, in (A), added the paragraph identifier and deleted the fifth sentence, which had provided that no person's points may be reduced more than one time in any three-year period; and added (B) and (C).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4630 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4630
SECTION 56-5-4630. Lamp or flag on projecting load.
Status: in_force

(A) Whenever the load upon a vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle, the vehicle must be equipped with, at the times specified in Section 56-5-4450, the following safety equipment: (1) for any commercial motor vehicle as defined in this title transporting unmanufactured forest products as defined in Department of Public Safety Regulation 38-390, one amber strobe-type lamp equipped with a multi-directional-type lens securely affixed as close as practical to the end of the projecting load, so as to be visible from the rear and side of the projecting load. If one strobe lamp fails to make the projecting load visible from both sides and the rear of the projecting load, multiple strobe lamps must be utilized to meet the visibility requirements. The strobe lamp shall flash at a rate of at least sixty flashes per minute and must be plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the sides and rear of the projecting load. The lamp must be operating any time the vehicle is operated on a highway or parked on the shoulder or immediately adjacent to the traveled portion of a public roadway; or (2) a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the side or rear must be displayed at the extreme rear of the load if the strobe light required by this section becomes temporarily inoperable while transporting a load between points. (B) The projecting load must be marked at the extreme rear of the load with a red flag or cloth not less than twelve inches by twelve inches and hung so that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from the rear. (C) Utility companies when responding to an emergency situation such as caused by storms or accidents are exempt from the provisions of this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1240 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 56-5-1240
SECTION 56-5-1240. Duties of driver involved in accident involving unattended vehicle.
Status: in_force

The driver of any vehicle which collides with any vehicle which is unattended shall immediately stop and shall then and there either locate and notify the operator or owner of such vehicle of the name and address of the driver and owner of the vehicle striking the unattended vehicle or shall leave in a conspicuous place in the vehicle struck a written notice giving the name and address of the driver and of the owner of the vehicle doing the striking and a statement of the circumstances thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-680 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 5 / Section 56-19-680
SECTION 56-19-680. Satisfaction of security interest for which certificate is in possession of lienholder; filing release.
Status: in_force

(1) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of the lienholder, he shall, within ten days after demand and, in any event, within thirty days, execute a release of his security interest, in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the Department of Motor Vehicles prescribes, and mail or deliver the certificate and release to the Department which shall file the release and note it upon the record of security interest maintained by the Department pursuant to Section 56-19-660. The Department shall then mail the certificate to the next lienholder or if no other lienholder, then to the owner. No charge shall be made by the lienholder for executing such release. (2) Upon the satisfaction of a security interest in a vehicle for which the certificate of title is in the possession of a prior lienholder, the lienholder whose security interest is satisfied shall within ten days after demand, and, in any event, within thirty days execute a release in duplicate in the form the Department prescribes and deliver or mail a copy to the owner and a copy to the Department for notation upon the record of security interests maintained by the Department pursuant to Section 56-19-660. (3) Upon failure of the lienholder to forward the certificate to the Department as required by this article he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-170 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-170
SECTION 56-1-170. Restricted licenses; penalties for violations; hearings; special restricted driver's licenses.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles upon issuing a driver's license has authority, whenever good cause appears, to impose restrictions suitable to the licensee's driving ability with respect to the type of or special mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate or other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the department determines to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee. The department may either issue a special restricted license or may set forth the restrictions on the usual license form. The department shall not discriminate against a handicapped person by treating him in a different manner than it treats a nonhandicapped person. A handicapped person shall have the option of taking the same test as a nonhandicapped person and, upon satisfactory completion of the test, shall be issued a license comparable to which a nonhandicapped person would be qualified to receive. A person who has been issued a driver's license without restrictions who was handicapped at the time of the issuance of the license may have his driver's license renewed without restrictions unless he has received an additional handicap. The department may, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of any violation of the restrictions of the license, suspend or revoke the license. A licensee aggrieved by the action of the department may request a contested case hearing before the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings in accordance with its rules of procedure. Any person who operates a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the restrictions imposed in a restricted license issued to him is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days. (B)(1) If a person is employed or enrolled in a college or university at any time while his driver's license is suspended pursuant to this section, he may apply for a special restricted driver's license permitting him to drive only to and from work or his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license only upon a showing by the person that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, and that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment or place of education. (2) If the department issues a special restricted driver's license, it shall designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the person may operate a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee. (3) The fee for each special restricted driver's license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee is due because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Of this fee, twenty dollars must be distributed to the general fund and eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167. (4) The operation of a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special restricted license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2320 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 25 / Section 56-3-2320
SECTION 56-3-2320. Dealer and wholesaler license plates; restrictions on use.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) Upon application being made and the required fee being paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the department may issue dealer license plates to a licensed motor vehicle dealer. The license plates, notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter to the contrary, may be used exclusively on motor vehicles owned by, assigned, or loaned for test driving purposes to the dealer when operated on the highways of this State by the dealer, its corporate officers, its employees, a prospective purchaser of the motor vehicle, or a person whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealer. The use by a prospective purchaser is limited to seven days, and the dealer shall provide the prospective purchaser with a dated demonstration certificate. A dealer license plate may be used by a person whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealership, provided that the vehicle displaying the license plate is part of a manufacturer program and given to the person by the dealer at no charge to the consumer. The use of a dealer license plate by the consumer for service and repair is limited to thirty days. The demonstration certificate for a prospective customer must be approved by the department. Dealer plates must not be used to operate wreckers or service vehicles in use by the dealer nor to operate vehicles owned by the dealer that are leased or rented by the public. No dealer plates may be issued by the department unless the dealer furnishes proof in a form acceptable to the department that he has a retail business license as required by Chapter 36, Title 12 and has made at least twenty sales of motor vehicles in the twelve months preceding his application for a dealer plate. The sales requirement may be waived by the department if the dealer has been licensed for less than one year. For purposes of this section, the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle between the same individual or corporation more than one time is considered as only one sale. Multiple transfer of motor vehicles between licensed dealers for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements for motor vehicle dealer plates is prohibited. (2) A dealer may be issued two plates for the first fifteen vehicles sold during the preceding year and one additional plate for each fifteen vehicles sold beyond the initial twenty during the preceding year. A dealer participating in a manufacturer program may be issued two additional plates for each fifteen vehicles sold beyond the initial twenty during the preceding year. For good cause shown, the department in its discretion may issue extra plates. If the dealer has been licensed less than one year, the department shall issue a number of license plates based on an estimated number of sales for the coming year. The department may increase or decrease the number of plates issued based on actual sales made. (3) The cost of each dealer plate issued is twenty dollars. (4) Upon application to the department, a public or private school, college, or university, the United Service Organization South Carolina, the American Red Cross, or an economic development entity created or sanctioned by the county where the entity is located, may be issued a license plate to be used on vehicles loaned or rented to the school, college, university, the United Service Organization South Carolina, the American Red Cross, or economic development entity by a licensed motor vehicle dealer. The plate must be a personalized plate designed by the department. The cost of each plate issued is two hundred dollars, of which one hundred sixty dollars must be remitted by the department to the county in which the school, college, university, chapter of the United Service Organization South Carolina, chapter of the American Red Cross, or economic development entity is located. Each plate is valid for two years, and there is no limit on the number of plates which may be issued, except in the case of an economic development entity where only one plate per entity is allowed. (5) A dealer license plate is allowed on a motor vehicle which the dealer lends to a public or private school for use in a driver education program. A plate used for this purpose may be obtained without fee and without regard to the limit on plates issued pursuant to this section. When the motor vehicle is no longer used for driver education, the dealer shall surrender the plate to the department. (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a dealer exclusively selling heavy duty trucks at retail is eligible to obtain license plates for exclusive use on the heavy duty trucks regardless of the number of trucks sold by him during the preceding required number of months. These license plates for trucks must be noted with a distinct and separate identification and used only on heavy duty trucks. For purposes of this section, heavy duty trucks include trucks having a gross vehicle weight of sixteen thousand pounds or greater. (B) For purposes of this section, the testing or demonstration of a heavy duty truck with a GVW of 16,000 pounds or over as defined in Section 56-3-20(10) includes permitting a prospective buyer to use the truck for carrying merchandise or cargo for not more than three days upon the dealer providing the buyer with a special demonstration certificate for this purpose. The form and content of the demonstration certificate must be as prescribed by the department which also shall provide certificates to dealers upon their request. The original certificate must be kept by the buyer in the cab of the truck during the three-day demonstration period, and the dealer shall retain a copy of the certificate and mail a copy of the certificate to the department within twenty-four hours after it is issued to the buyer. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 57, SECTION 1, redesignated (A) as (A)(1) and added paragraph identifiers to the subsequent unidentified paragraphs; amended (A)(1), providing that dealer license plates may be used by a person whose vehicle is being serviced or repaired by the dealership; and amended (A)(2), providing that a dealer may be issued two plates for the first fifteen vehicles sold during the preceding year and that a dealer participating in a manufacturer program may be issued two additional plates for each fifteen vehicles sold beyond the initial twenty during the preceding year.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-28-40 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 28 / Section 56-28-40
SECTION 56-28-40. Replacement of motor vehicle; refund of purchase price.
Status: in_force

If, within the term specified in Section 56-28-30, the manufacturer, through its agents or authorized dealer, is unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle, or at its option, accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price as delivered including applicable finance charges, sales taxes, license fees, registration fees, and any other similar governmental charges, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the vehicle. Refunds must be made to the consumer and lienholder, if any, as their interest may appear on the record of ownership kept by the Department of Motor Vehicles. A reasonable allowance for use must be that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer before his first report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent, or dealer, and must be calculated by multiplying the full purchase price of the vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator one hundred twenty thousand and having as its numerator the number of miles that the vehicle traveled before the first report of nonconformity. The consumer is not entitled to a refund or replacement if: (1) the nonconformity does not substantially impair the motor vehicle's use, market value, or safety; (2) the nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or modification or alteration of the motor vehicle by the consumer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14950 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 149 / Section 56-3-14950
SECTION 56-3-14950. Special license plates reflective of campaign medals.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may issue the following special license plates reflective of campaign medals for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles to active service members or prior service members who participated in the following military campaigns: (1) World War II Veteran (2) Pearl Harbor Survivor (3) Normandy Invasion Survivor (4) Korean War (5) Vietnam War (6) Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm (7) Operation Iraqi Freedom (8) Operation Enduring Freedom. (B) The qualifying service member or veteran must be one of the registrants of the vehicle. No more than three license plates may be issued to the award recipient. License plates for medals specified in subsection (A), except for Korean War license plates pursuant to subsection (A)(4), are subject to the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. License plates for medals specified in subsection (A) are not subject to an additional specialty plate fee. These special license plates must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month they are issued. (C) The application for a special license plate must include official military documentation (a DD-214, NGB Form 22, or official orders) demonstrating the applicant was a participant in a campaign specified in subsection (A). (D) License plates authorized under subsection (A) are exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1650 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 12 / Section 56-3-1650
SECTION 56-3-1650. Unlawful acts; penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article or who fraudulently gives false or fictitious information in any application for special license plates, as authorized in this article, conceals a material fact or otherwise commits a fraud in any such application or in the use of any special license plate issued shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or thirty days' imprisonment, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3822 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 31 / Section 56-5-3822
SECTION 56-5-3822. Opening vehicle doors.
Status: in_force

No person shall open any door of a motor vehicle unless it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-270 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-270
SECTION 56-1-270. Suspension, revocation, or restriction of license on re-examination.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles having good cause to believe that a person holding a South Carolina driver's license is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed because of physical or mental disability may, upon written notice of at least ten days to the licensee, require him to submit to an examination. Upon the conclusion of such examination the department shall take action as may be appropriate and may suspend or revoke the license of such person or permit him to retain such license or may issue a license subject to restrictions permitted under Section 56-1-170. The license of any person may be suspended or revoked if they refuse or neglect to submit to such an examination.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-35-50 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 35 / Section 56-35-50
SECTION 56-35-50. Enforcement.
Status: in_force

(A) The State Transport Police Division of the Department of Public Safety is primarily responsible for enforcing the provisions of this chapter. An officer or agent of the State Transport Police that observes a vehicle operator violating the provisions of this chapter is authorized to issue a citation to the offender. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to a commercial diesel vehicle idling on the premises of a restricted access facility or in areas on the private property of a business that are generally designed and intended for commercial vehicle access, loading or unloading when the facility or business is located at least five hundred feet away from any church, school, playground, daycare facility, or hospital. (B) The officer must inform the individual receiving the citation that he has the option, at that time, to elect to pay his fine directly to the Department of Public Safety or to receive a hearing in magistrates court. If the individual at the time the citation is issued elects to pay his fine directly to the Department of Public Safety within twenty-eight days, as specified on the citation, no assessments may be added to the original fine pursuant to this section. The fine may be deposited with the arresting officer or a person the Department of Public Safety may designate. Within forty-five days of collection, fifty dollars of the monies collected by the Department of Public Safety must be forwarded to the Department of Health and Environmental Control for deposit in the Diesel Idling Reduction Fund, twenty-five dollars of the monies collected must be deposited into an account to be used by the Department of Public Safety's State Transport Police Division in support of the Idling Restrictions for Commercial Diesel Vehicles program which at the end of a fiscal year does not lapse to the general fund, but is instead carried forward to the succeeding fiscal year. (C)(1) Magistrates have jurisdiction of all contested violations of this chapter. Where a contested hearing is requested, any fine imposed is subject to all assessments and surcharges applicable by law. The fine, surcharges, and assessments shall be distributed as set forth in the applicable law. (2) If the fine is not paid in full to the Department of Public Safety within forty-five days after conviction, the driver's license of the vehicle operator found in violation of this chapter must be suspended. The suspension continues until the fine is paid in full. (D) The State Transport Police shall use the citation form referenced in Section 56-1-4160(G) for idling violations. The Department of Public Safety must electronically transmit to the Department of Motor Vehicles all tickets issued pursuant to this section. The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles must work together to develop an electronic exchange of information over the next two years.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4820 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4820
SECTION 56-5-4820. Number of driving lamps required or permitted.
Status: in_force

At all times specified in Section 56-5-4450 at least two lighted lamps shall be displayed, one on each side at the front of every motor vehicle other than a motor cycle or motor-driven cycle, except when such vehicle is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles. Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with head lamps as herein required is also equipped with any auxiliary lamps, a spot lamp or any other lamp on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred candle power, not more than a total of four of any such lamps on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when upon a highway.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-14-140 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 14 / Section 56-14-140
SECTION 56-14-140. Procedures for new recreational vehicles damaged prior to transit to dealer.
Status: in_force

(A) Whenever a new recreational vehicle is damaged prior to transit to the dealer or is damaged in transit to the dealer and the carrier or means of transportation has been selected by the manufacturer, the dealer shall notify the manufacturer of the damage within the timeframe specified in the manufacturer/dealer agreement and: (1) request from the manufacturer authorization to replace the components, parts, and accessories damaged or otherwise correct the damage; or (2) reject the vehicle within the timeframe set forth in subsection (D). (B) If the manufacturer refuses or fails to authorize repair of such damage within ten days after receipt of notification, or if the dealer rejects the recreational vehicle because of damage, ownership of the new recreational vehicle shall revert to the manufacturer. (C) The dealer shall exercise due care in custody of the damaged recreational vehicle, but the dealer shall have no other obligations, financial or otherwise, with respect to that recreational vehicle. (D) The time frame for inspection and rejection by the dealer must be part of the manufacturer/dealer agreement and may not be less than two business days after the physical delivery of the recreational vehicle. (E) Any recreational vehicle that has, at the time of delivery to the dealer, an unreasonable amount of miles on its odometer, as determined by the dealer, may be subject to rejection by the dealer and reversion of the vehicle to the manufacturer. In no instance shall a dealer deem an amount less than the distance between the dealer and the manufacturer's factory or point of distribution, plus one hundred miles, as unreasonable. Editor's Note 2017 Act No. 51,SECTIONS 6, 7, provide: "SECTION 6. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 14, Title 56. "SECTION 7. This act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor and applies to manufacturer/dealer agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2018."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2320 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 17 / Section 56-5-2320
SECTION 56-5-2320. Vehicle turning left.
Status: in_force

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-700 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-700
SECTION 56-3-700. Fee for trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers; exemptions.
Status: in_force

For every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer, not exempted by Section 56-3-120(5), the biennial registration fee is twenty dollars. The Department of Motor Vehicles must include in this classification every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer designed for carrying property, except house trailers, utility trailers, those trailers and semitrailers exempted by Section 56-3-120(5), and boat trailers as otherwise provided in this article. Semitrailers or pole trailers weighing less than five hundred pounds with load capacity of less than one thousand pounds and trailers and semitrailers with an actual unloaded weight of fifteen hundred pounds or less and carrying a load capacity not exceeding twenty-five hundred pounds and which are designed, adapted, and used exclusively for agriculture, horticulture, or livestock-raising operations or for lifting or carrying an implement of husbandry need not be registered or licensed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-28-90 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 28 / Section 56-28-90
SECTION 56-28-90. State arbitration board may be established.
Status: in_force

The Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs may establish by regulation a state arbitration board consisting of five members appointed by him to serve at his pleasure. The board shall review matters involving manufacturers that have not created an informal dispute settlement procedure that substantially complies with Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 703. The cost of the arbitration board must be borne by the manufacturer of the vehicle purchased or leased by the consumer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2940 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 32 / Section 56-3-2940
SECTION 56-3-2940. Information to appear on temporary license plate.
Status: in_force

A manufacturer who issues temporary plates shall insert clearly and indelibly on the face of each temporary license plate the date of issuance, the date of expiration, the make, and the identification number of the trailer or semi-trailer for which it is issued and any other information the Department of Motor Vehicles requires.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-5120
SECTION 56-5-5120. Alternative warning devices.
Status: in_force

In the alternative it shall be deemed a compliance with Sections 56-5-5090, 56-5-5100 or 56-5-5110 in the event three portable reflector units on standards of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety are displayed at the times and under the conditions specified in said sections, either during the daytime or at nighttime, and such portable reflector units shall be placed on the roadway in the locations as described with reference to the placing of electric lanterns and lighted flares.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3280 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 56-5-3280
SECTION 56-5-3280. Bridge and railroad signals.
Status: in_force

(a) No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given. (b) No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6320 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 45 / Section 56-5-6320
SECTION 56-5-6320. Termination of consent.
Status: in_force

The consent may be terminated by filing a notice of termination with the clerk of court or register of deeds and the sheriff in the same manner as is provided in Section 56-5-6310 for the consent of the owners. The same percentage of owners shall be required for termination as is required for consent; provided, however, that the heirs, successors or assigns of owners may exercise such right of termination. The termination shall be executed with the same formalities as a deed and shall make reference to the recordation of the original consent and plat. Termination of consent shall become effective thirty days from the date it is filed with the clerk of court or register of deeds.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3270 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 56-5-3270
SECTION 56-5-3270. Pedestrians under influence of alcohol or drugs.
Status: in_force

A pedestrian who is under the influence of alcohol, or any drug, to a degree which renders himself a hazard shall not walk or be upon a highway except a sidewalk.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-16-130 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 16 / Section 56-16-130
SECTION 56-16-130. Manufacturer's, distributor's, or wholesaler's offer of inducement to dealer in connection with sale of motorcycle to state or political subdivision.
Status: in_force

In connection with a sale of a motorcycle to the State or to any political subdivision thereof, no manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler may offer any discounts, refunds, or any other similar type of inducement to any dealer without making the same offer to all other of its dealers within the relevant market area and, if such inducements are made, the manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler must give simultaneous notice thereof to all of its dealers within the relevant market area who have requested such notice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-270 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-270
SECTION 56-5-270. Railroad defined.
Status: in_force

A "railroad" is a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 56-9-120
SECTION 56-9-120. Construction.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the laws of those states which enact substantially identical legislation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-400 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-400
SECTION 56-1-400. Surrender of license; issuance of new license; endorsing suspension and ignition interlock device on license.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles, upon suspending or revoking a license, shall require that the license be surrendered to the department. At the end of the suspension period, other than a suspension for reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration, felony driving under the influence of intoxicants, or pursuant to the point system, the department shall issue a new license to the person. (2) If the person has not held a license within the previous nine months, the department shall not issue or restore a license which has been suspended for reckless driving, driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration, felony driving under the influence of intoxicants, or for violations under the point system, until the person has filed an application for a new license, submitted to an examination as upon an original application, and satisfied the department, after an investigation of the person's driving ability, that it would be safe to grant the person the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways. The department, in the department's discretion, where the suspension is for a violation under the point system, may waive the examination, application, and investigation. A record of the suspension must be endorsed on the license issued to the person, showing the grounds of the suspension. (B) If a person is permitted to operate a motor vehicle only with an ignition interlock device installed pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, the restriction on the license issued to the person must conspicuously identify the person as a person who only may drive a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock device installed, and the restriction must be maintained on the license for the duration of the period for which the ignition interlock device must be maintained pursuant to Section 56-1-286; 56-1-1090; 56-5-2945; 56-5-2951; 56-5-2990; or 56-5-2947, except if the conviction was for Section 56-5-750. (C) For purposes of Title 56, the license must be referred to as an ignition interlock restricted license. The fee for an ignition interlock restricted license is one hundred dollars, which shall be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167. (D) Unless the person establishes that the person is entitled to the exemption set forth in subsection (G), no ignition interlock restricted license may be issued by the department without written notification from the authorized ignition interlock service provider that the ignition interlock device has been installed and confirmed to be in working order. (E) If a person chooses to not have an ignition interlock device installed when required by law, the license will remain suspended indefinitely. If the person subsequently decides to have the ignition interlock device installed, the device must be installed for the length of time set forth in subsection (B). (F) This provision does not affect nor bar the reckoning of prior offenses for reckless driving and driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotic drugs, as provided in Article 23, Chapter 5 of this title. (G)(1) A person who does not own a vehicle, as shown in the Department of Motor Vehicles' records, and who certifies that the person: (a) cannot obtain a vehicle owner's permission to have an ignition interlock device installed on a vehicle; (b) will not be driving a vehicle other than a vehicle owned by the person's employer; and (c) will not own a vehicle during the ignition interlock period, may petition the department, on a form provided by the department, for issuance of an ignition interlock restricted license that permits the person to operate a vehicle specified by the employee according to the employer's needs as contained in the employer's statement during the days and hours specified in the employer's statement without having to show that an ignition interlock device has been installed. (2) The form must contain: (a) identifying information about the employer's noncommercial vehicles that the person will be operating; (b) a statement that explains the circumstances in which the person will be operating the employer's vehicles; and (c) the notarized signature of the person's employer. (3) This subsection does not apply to: (a) a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, 56-5-2945, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, unless the person's driving privileges have been suspended for not less than one year or the person has had an ignition interlock device installed for not less than one year on each of the motor vehicles owned or operated, or both, by the person; (b) a person who is self-employed or to a person who is employed by a business owned in whole or in part by the person or a member of the person's household or immediate family unless during the defense of a criminal charge, the court finds that the vehicle's ownership by the business serves a legitimate business purpose and that titling and registration of the vehicle by the business was not done to circumvent the intent of this section; or (c) a person participating in the Ignition Interlock Device Program as an habitual offender as provided for in Section 56-1-1090(A). (4) Whenever the person operates the employer's vehicle pursuant to this subsection, the person shall have with the person a copy of the form specified by this subsection. (5) The determination of eligibility for the waiver is subject to periodic review at the discretion of the department. The department shall revoke a waiver issued pursuant to this exemption if the department determines that the person has been driving a vehicle other than the vehicle owned by the person's employer or has been operating the person's employer's vehicle outside the locations, days, or hours specified by the employer in the department's records. The person may seek relief from the department's determination by filing a request for a contested case hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act and the rules of procedure for the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings. (H) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a person to obtain an ignition interlock device unless one or more of the offenses that resulted in the suspension were alcohol related. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 55, SECTION 3, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-45 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 1 / Section 56-10-45
SECTION 56-10-45. Confiscation of registration certificates and license plates.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Public Safety and the Department of Motor Vehicles each may enter into agreements with other municipal and county law enforcement agencies for the collection of suspended or revoked drivers' licenses, motor vehicle registrations, and motor vehicle plates. The contracting department must assess a fifty dollar fine for each item recovered pursuant to this section in addition to any other fines assessed. Upon collection, this fine must be returned on a quarterly basis to the general fund of the municipality or county which initiated the enforcement action. (B) All motor vehicle registration certificates, motor vehicle plates, and drivers' licenses confiscated or seized pursuant to this section must be returned to the Department of Motor Vehicles within fifteen days. (C) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall collect and keep the reinstatement fee as provided in Section 56-10-240 and the per diem fine as provided in Section 56-10-245 upon the reinstatement of tags confiscated by local law enforcement agencies pursuant to this section. Fines collected pursuant to Section 56-10-240, referring to the monetary penalty of a person who is guilty of a misdemeanor for wilful failure to return his motor vehicle license plates and registration, must be paid to the governing body of the local law enforcement agency confiscating the tags and deposited in the general fund of the local governing body. The director or his designee shall monthly provide information to local law enforcement agencies, upon request of the local law enforcement agency, on uninsured vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-14-50 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 14 / Section 56-14-50
SECTION 56-14-50. Requirement as to dealer's maintenance of bona fide place of business; permanent sign.
Status: in_force

No recreational vehicle dealer may be issued or allowed to maintain a recreational vehicle dealer's license unless: (1) The dealer maintains a bona fide place of business for selling or exchanging recreational vehicles, which must be the principal business conducted from the location. A bona fide place of business includes a permanent, enclosed building, not excluding a permanently installed mobile home containing at least ninety-six square feet of floor space, occupied by the owner or operator and easily accessible by the public, at which a permanent business of bartering, trading, or selling recreational vehicles or displaying vehicles for bartering, trading, or selling is conducted, wherein the public may contact the owner or operator at all reasonable times and in which must be kept and maintained the books, records, and files required by this chapter. (2) The business must display a permanent sign identifying the business with letters at least six inches in height, clearly readable from the nearest major avenue of traffic. (3) The business must have a reasonable area or lot to properly display recreational vehicles. (4) A recreational vehicle dealer may use his license to conduct business on property adjacent to or within sight of his bona fide established place of business. The property adjacent to or within sight of his bona fide established place of business is deemed to be contiguous even if there exists a single intervening landmark such as a road or a railroad track. The property adjacent to or within sight of his bona fide established place of business must display the same permanent sign as the bona fide established place of business pursuant to item (2). The property adjacent to or within sight of his bona fide established place of business need not include a permanent, enclosed building or structure, but all records for business conducted on the property adjacent to or within sight of his bona fide established place of business must be maintained at the bona fide established place of business. Any sales transactions pursuant to this section must take place at the location of the bona fide established place of business. Dealers applying for a license pursuant to this item must provide on the dealer license application the street address of the property adjacent to or the property within sight of his bona fide place of business and affirm that the dealer has met any local requirements to lawfully conduct business at that location. Editor's Note 2017 Act No. 51,SECTIONS 6, 7, provide: "SECTION 6. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of Chapter 14, Title 56. "SECTION 7. This act takes effect six months after approval by the Governor and applies to manufacturer/dealer agreements entered into on or after July 1, 2018." 2023 Act No. 51, SECTIONS 34 and 40(D), provide as follows: "SECTION 34. Dealers subject to the provisions contained in Section 56-14-50, 56-15-330, or 56-16-160 who maintain business operations on adjacent properties or properties within sight as described in the code section applicable to the dealer but who do not meet the requirements of Section 56-14-50, 56-15-330, or 56-16-160, as applicable to the dealer and as amended by this act may be grandfathered by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the remainder of the license under which the dealer is operating as of the effective date of this act." "[SECTION 40.](D) SECTIONS 15 through 28 take effect on January 1, 2024. Any dealership applying for or renewing licenses, or operating on a currently issued license on or after January 1, 2024, is subject to the provisions of SECTIONS 15 through 28." Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 17, added (4).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6150 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 43 / Section 56-5-6150
SECTION 56-5-6150. Trial jurisdiction of municipal courts.
Status: in_force

All municipal courts of the State may try and determine criminal cases involving violations of this chapter occurring within the respective limits of such municipalities when the penalty prescribed by this chapter for such violations does not exceed thirty days' imprisonment nor one hundred dollars' fine and may have trial jurisdiction over such criminal cases the same as magistrates.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14010 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 140 / Section 56-3-14010
SECTION 56-3-14010. Clemson University 2016 and 2018 Football National Champions special license plates.
Status: reserved

(A)(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue "Clemson University 2016 Football National Champions" special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. (2) The department shall issue "Clemson University 2018 Football National Champions" special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. (B) Clemson University may submit to the department for its approval the emblem, seal, or other symbol it desires to be used for its respective special license plates. (C) The requirements for production, collection, and distribution of fees for the plates are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for each plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of seventy dollars. Any portion of the additional seventy-dollar fee not set aside to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the fund established for Clemson University pursuant to Section 56-3-3710(B) used for the purposes provided in that section. (D)(1) License number "1" for the "Clemson University 2016 Football National Champions" license plate is reserved for the Clemson University Head Football Coach. (2) License number "1" for the "Clemson University 2018 Football National Champions" license plate is reserved for the Clemson University Head Football Coach. Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 22, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted the (1) identifier and added (2), relating to Clemson University 2018 Football National Champions' special license plates; in (B), substituted "license plates" for "license plate"; in (C), in the first sentence, substituted "plates" for "plate", and in the second sentence, substituted "each plate" for "this plate"; in (D), inserted the (1) identifier and added (2), relating to license number "1" being reserved for the Clemson University Head Football Coach.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2725 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 21 / Section 56-5-2725
SECTION 56-5-2725. Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than one-half inch per foot of the distance between any two adjacent axles or in any event of less than nine inches, measured above the level surface of a roadway, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section. (b) Notice of such intended crossing shall be given to a station agent of the railroad and a reasonable time shall be given to the railroad to provide proper protection at the crossing. (c) Before making any such crossing, the person operating or moving the vehicle or equipment shall first stop not less than fifteen feet nor more than fifty feet from the nearest rail of the railroad and while stopped shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely. (d) No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagman or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car. If a flagman is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under his direction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-450 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-450
SECTION 56-5-450. Private road defined; driveway defined.
Status: in_force

Every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner but not by other persons is a "private road" or "driveway."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1000 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 56-5-1000
SECTION 56-5-1000. Flashing signals.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows: 1. Flashing red (stop signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign. 2. Flashing yellow (caution signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution. (b) This section shall not apply at railroad grade crossings. Conduct of drivers approaching grade crossings shall be governed by the rules set forth in Section 56-5-2710 of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-290 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-290
SECTION 56-5-290. Streetcar defined.
Status: in_force

A "streetcar" is a car other than a railroad train for transporting persons or property and operated upon rails principally within a municipality.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4490 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4490
SECTION 56-5-4490. Head lamps required on motor vehicles and motorcycles.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle other than a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least two head lamps with at least one on each side of the front of the motor vehicle. Such head lamps shall comply with the requirements and limitations set forth in this article. Every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and limitations of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1290 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 56-3-1290
SECTION 56-3-1290. Transfer of plates to another vehicle of same owner.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles, upon application and the payment of a fee of ten dollars, shall transfer the license plate assigned for one vehicle to another vehicle of the same general type owned or leased by the same person without a paid tax receipt for the vehicle. However, subsequent transfers of a license plate to the same vehicle may not be processed without a paid tax receipt based upon the value of the vehicle to which the plate is being transferred. Three dollars of the fees paid pursuant to this section must be deposited in the state general fund, and the remaining seven dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2910 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 32 / Section 56-3-2910
SECTION 56-3-2910. Records to be kept by manufacturer.
Status: in_force

Each manufacturer must maintain a permanent record of all temporary license plates and registration cards either delivered to it, issued by it, or both. In addition, each manufacturer shall maintain a permanent record of any other information pertaining to the receipt or the issuance of temporary license plates and registration cards that the Department of Motor Vehicles may require. Each record must be kept for a period of at least one year from the date of the latest entry on the record.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-3420 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 34 / Section 56-3-3420
SECTION 56-3-3420. Prepaid applications required.
Status: in_force

(A) Before the Department of Motor Vehicles produces and distributes a special license plate pursuant to this section, it must receive: (1) four hundred prepaid applications for the special license plate or a deposit of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. If a deposit of four thousand dollars is made by an individual or organization pursuant to this section, the department must refund the four thousand dollars once an equivalent amount of license plate fees is collected for that organization's license plate. If the equivalent amount is not collected within four years of the first issuance of the license plate, then the department shall retain the deposit; and (2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department. (B) If the department receives fewer than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular special license plate, it may not produce additional special license plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6410 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 47 / Section 56-5-6410
SECTION 56-5-6410. Child passenger restraint systems; age and weight as basis for required restraining system; standards.
Status: in_force

(A) Every driver of a motor vehicle (passenger car, pickup truck, van, or recreational vehicle) operated on the highways and streets of this State when transporting a child under eight years of age upon the public streets and highways of the State must properly secure the child in the vehicle as follows: (1) An infant or child under two years of age must be properly secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child exceeds the height or weight limit allowed by the manufacturer of the child passenger restraint system being used. (2) A child at least two years of age or a child under two years of age who has outgrown his rear-facing child passenger restraint system must be secured in a forward-facing child passenger restraint system with a harness in a rear passenger seat of the vehicle until the child exceeds the highest height or weight requirements of the forward-facing child passenger restraint system. (3) A child at least four years of age who has outgrown his forward-facing child passenger restraint system must be secured by a belt-positioning booster seat in a rear seat of the vehicle until he can meet the height and fit requirements for an adult safety seat belt as described in item (4). The belt-positioning booster seat must be used with both lap and shoulder belts. A booster seat must not be used with a lap belt alone. (4) A child at least eight years of age or at least fifty-seven inches tall may be restrained by an adult safety seat belt if the child can be secured properly by an adult safety seat belt. A child is properly secured by an adult safety seat belt if: (a) the lap belt fits across the child's thighs and hips and not across the abdomen; (b) the shoulder belt crosses the center of the child's chest and not the neck; and (c) the child is able to sit with his back straight against the vehicle seat back cushion with his knees bent over the vehicle's seat edge without slouching. (5) For medical reasons that are substantiated with written documentation from the child's physician, advanced nurse practitioner, or physician assistant, a child who is unable to be transported in a standard child passenger safety restraint system may be transported in a standard child passenger safety restraint system designed for his medical needs. Any child restraint system of a type sufficient to meet the physical standards prescribed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at the time of its manufacture is sufficient to meet the requirements of this article. (B) For the purposes of this section, any portion of a recreational vehicle that is equipped with temporary living quarters shall be considered a rear passenger seat. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 78, SECTION 1, rewrote the section, revising the age, weight, and position of a child who must be secured in a child passenger restraint system and providing exceptions when medically necessary.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-730 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 5 / Section 56-5-730
SECTION 56-5-730. Required obedience to traffic laws.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in this chapter with respect to particular offenses, it is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or to fail to perform any act required in this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14210 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 142 / Section 56-3-14210
SECTION 56-3-14210. University of South Carolina 2017, 2022, and 2024 Women's Basketball National Champions special license plates.
Status: reserved

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue "University of South Carolina 2017, 2022, and 2024 Women's Basketball National Champions" special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. (B) The University of South Carolina may submit to the department for its approval the emblem, seal, or other symbol it desires to be used for its respective special license plate. The department may issue this special license plate six months following approval of its design. (C) The requirements for production, collection, and distribution of fees for the plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The biennial fee for this plate is the regular registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional fee of seventy dollars. Any portion of the additional seventy-dollar fee not set aside to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the fund established for the University of South Carolina pursuant to Section 56-3-3710(B) used for the purposes provided in that section. (D) License number "1" for the "University of South Carolina 2017, 2022, and 2024 Women's Basketball National Champions" license plate is reserved for the University of South Carolina Women's Basketball Coach. (E) The department must issue to registrants who have a license plate commemorating only the 2017 Women's Basketball National Championship or only the 2017 and 2022 Women's Basketball National Championships, the license plate commemorating the 2017, 2022, and 2024 national championships once both the 2017 and the 2017 and 2022 license plates reach the end of their ten-year lifecycles. This subsection does not apply to registrants who choose to switch to the "2017, 2022, and 2024" license plate on their own. Editor's Note 2022 Act No. 216, SECTION 9, provides as follows: "SECTION 9. SECTION 1 of this act takes effect upon approval by the Governor. SECTIONS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of this act take effect May 6, 2022." Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 216, SECTION 1, in (A), inserted "and 2022" following "2017"; in (D), inserted "and 2022" following "2017" and substituted "license plates are" for "license plate is"; and added (E). 2024 Act No. 178, SECTION 8, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1010 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 6 / Section 56-3-1010
SECTION 56-3-1010. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this article: (1) "Fleet" means fifty or more marked private passenger motor vehicles or property carrying vehicles with empty weight of not more than twenty-two thousand pounds and a gross vehicle weight of not more than twenty-six thousand pounds, owned or long-term leased by a corporation or other legal entity, and registered in this State pursuant to this article. (2) "Marked vehicle" means a vehicle with a name, trademark, or logo located either on the sides or the rear of the vehicle in sharp contrast to the background and of a size, shape, and color that is legible during daylight hours from a distance of fifty feet.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-350 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-350
SECTION 56-5-350. Flammable liquid defined.
Status: in_force

Any liquid which has a flash point of 70°F., or less, as determined by a Tagliabue or equivalent closed-cup test device, is a "flammable liquid."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-4600 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 46 / Section 56-3-4600
SECTION 56-3-4600. Authority to issue special license plates; fees; minimum number required.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Homeownership: The American Dream" special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630 registered in the owners' names, which may have imprinted on the plate an emblem, a seal, or other symbol approved by the South Carolina Association of Realtors and the department. The South Carolina Association of Realtors may submit to the department for approval the emblem, seal, or symbol the South Carolina Association of Realtors wishes to display on the plate. The association must submit to the department written authorization for the use of any copyrighted or registered logo, trademark, or design. The association may request a change in the emblem, seal, or symbol used not more than once in five years. Each special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued. The fee for each special license plate is the regular motor vehicle license fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title and one hundred dollars for a special plate. (B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, from the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167, an amount equal to the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles in producing and administering the special license plates. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be administered by the South Carolina Association of Realtors and deposited in an appropriate nonprofit account designated by the association for distribution to Habitat for Humanity International or another nonprofit fund designated by the association for the construction of new homes for low income families in South Carolina. (C) Before the department produces and distributes the "Homeownership: The American Dream" special license plate pursuant to this section, it must receive: (1) four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate or a deposit of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. If a deposit of four thousand dollars is made by an individual or organization pursuant to this section, the department must refund the four thousand dollars once an equivalent amount of license plate fees is collected for that organization's license plate. If the equivalent amount is not collected within four years of the first issuance of the respective license plate, the department must retain the deposit; (2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department. (D) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for the plate, it may not produce additional special license plates in that series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of that series until the existing inventory is exhausted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-11-50 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 56-11-50
SECTION 56-11-50. Effect of operation of motor carrier in violation of chapter.
Status: in_force

When any person is discovered in this State operating a vehicle in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, it is unlawful for anyone thereafter to operate the vehicle on the streets or highways in this State except to remove it from the street or highway for the purpose of parking or storing it unless and until a bond in the amount of five hundred dollars is furnished to the Department of Motor Vehicles in such form and with such surety or sureties or otherwise as it may prescribe, conditioned upon a proper registration card and identification marker being applied for within ten days and conditioned upon the payment of any taxes, penalties, or interest found to be due pursuant to this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-16-200 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 16 / Section 56-16-200
SECTION 56-16-200. Civil actions; damages; effect of judgments as prima facie evidence.
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to temporary or permanent injunctive relief as provided in Section 56-16-100(3)(c), any person who is injured in his business or property by reason of anything forbidden in this chapter may sue therefor in the court of common pleas and recover double the actual damages by him sustained, and the cost of suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee. (2) When the action is one of common or general interest to many persons or when the parties are numerous and it is impracticable to bring them all before the court, one or more may sue for the benefit of the whole, including actions for injunctive relief. (3) In an action for money damages, if the jury finds that the defendant acted maliciously, the jury may award punitive damages not to exceed three times the actual damages. (4) A final judgment, order, or decree rendered against a person in any civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding under the United States antitrust laws, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, or under this chapter constitutes prima facie evidence against the person subject to the conditions of the United States Antitrust Law (15 U.S.C. Section 16).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-620 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 5 / Section 56-19-620
SECTION 56-19-620. Security interest invalid against third parties unless properly perfected.
Status: in_force

Unless excepted by Section 56-19-610, a security interest in a vehicle of a type for which a certificate of title is required is not valid against creditors of the owner or subsequent transferees or lienholders of the vehicle unless perfected as provided in this article. No other recordation shall be necessary to protect the interest of the lienholder.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 15 / Section 56-5-2120
SECTION 56-5-2120. Required position and method of turning.
Status: in_force

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn shall do so as follows: (a) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. (b) Left turns. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left shall approach the turn in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the intersection so as to leave the intersection or other location in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the vehicle on the roadway being entered. (c) The Department of Transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic-control devices to be placed and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by turning vehicles and when such devices are so placed no driver shall turn a vehicle other than as directed and required by such devices. (d) Two-way left turn lanes. Where a special lane for making left turns by drivers proceeding in the opposite directions has been indicated by official traffic-control devices: 1. A left turn shall not be made from any other lane. 2. A vehicle shall not be driven in the lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U turn when otherwise permitted by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-23-105 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 23 / Section 56-23-105
SECTION 56-23-105. "Classroom training" defined.
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, "classroom training" means either in-person, virtual, or remote online training. The online classroom training must utilize a student username and password, measure the amount of time that the student spends in the course, provide technical support to students that is available twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week, utilize personal validation questions which appear periodically throughout the entire course, have measures in place that prevent a student from completing more than four hours of instruction in a calendar day, and provide a final examination at the completion of the program. A passing score or 80 percent or higher is required. Students may take up to three attempts to pass the online test to successfully complete the course. Editor's Note 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 40(F), provides as follows: "[SECTION 40.](F) The remaining SECTIONS of this act, and Sections 56-3-214(A), 56-3-214(B)(1), 56-3-214(B)(2), 56-3-214(B)(3), 56-3-214(G), 56-1-20, 56-23-40, 56-23-60, and 56-23-105 take effect upon approval by the Governor."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4580 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4580
SECTION 56-5-4580. Additional lighting equipment required on buses, trucks, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers.
Status: in_force

In addition to other equipment required in this article, the vehicles listed below must be equipped as provided in this section when operated under the conditions stated in Section 56-5-4570: (1) On every bus or truck, whatever its size, on the rear, two reflectors, one on each side and one stop light; (2) On every bus or truck eighty inches or more in over-all width, in addition to the requirements in item (1), (a) on the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, (b) on the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, (c) on each side, two side-marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear, and (d) on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear; (3) On every truck tractor, (a) on the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and (b) on the rear, one stop light; (4) On every trailer or semitrailer having a gross weight in excess of three thousand pounds, (a) on the front, two clearance lamps, one at each side, (b) on each side, two side-marker lamps, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear, (c) on each side, two reflectors, one at or near the front and one at or near the rear, and (d) on the rear, two clearance lamps, one at each side, and also two reflectors, one at each side, and one stop light; (5) On every pole trailer in excess of three thousand pounds gross weight, (a) on each side, one side-marker lamp and one clearance lamp, which may be in combination, to show to the front, side, and rear, and (b) on the rear of the pole trailer or load, two reflectors, one at each side; (6) On every trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer weighing three thousand pounds gross or less, on the rear two reflectors, one on each side. If a trailer or semitrailer is loaded or is of dimensions so as to obscure the stop light on the towing vehicle then the vehicle also must be equipped with one stop light; (7) On every pole truck or trailer, a strip of light reflecting paint, tape, or reflectors on the external sides of the pole support frame or bolsters, or both, where practical.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-29-20 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 29 / Section 56-29-20
SECTION 56-29-20. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter: (1) "Chop shop" means any building, lot, or other premises where one or more persons are or have been knowingly engaged in altering, destroying, disassembling, dismantling, reassembling, or knowingly storing any motor vehicle, or motor vehicle part known to be illegally obtained by theft, fraud, or conspiracy to defraud, in order either to: (a) alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate, or remove the identity, including the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, in order to misrepresent the identity of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, or to prevent the identification of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, or (b) sell or dispose of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part. (2) "Vehicle" includes every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, which is self-propelled or which may be connected to and towed by a self-propelled device, and also includes any and all other land-based devices which are self-propelled but which are not designed for use upon a highway including, but not limited to, farm machinery and construction equipment. (3) "Person" includes a natural person, company, corporation, unincorporated association, partnership, professional corporation, and any other legal entity. (4) "Unidentifiable" means that the uniqueness of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part cannot be established by either expert law enforcement investigative personnel specially trained and experienced in motor vehicle theft investigative procedures and motor vehicle identification examination techniques, or by expert employees of not-for-profit motor vehicle theft prevention agencies specially trained and experienced in motor vehicle theft investigation procedures and motor vehicle identification examination techniques. (5) "Vehicle identification number" means a number, a letter, a character, a datum, a derivative, or a combination thereof, used by the manufacturer or the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of uniquely identifying a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-27-20 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 27 / Section 56-27-20
SECTION 56-27-20. License required.
Status: in_force

All persons who engage in the profession of housemoving on roads and highways of this State must be licensed by the Department of Transportation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2740 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 21 / Section 56-5-2740
SECTION 56-5-2740. Place where drivers shall stop for stop signs.
Status: in_force

Every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line but, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting highway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting highway before entering the intersection except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-530 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 4 / Section 56-3-530
SECTION 56-3-530. Fees.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may charge a fee for releasing information pursuant to this article. The department must promulgate regulations: (1) providing a procedure whereby persons making repetitive requests may maintain an account with the department for the payment of fees incurred in the production of requested records; (2) providing a procedure for electronic processing of requests; and (3) providing for appropriate security measures to ensure that records are released only to the person identified as making the request.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1620 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 11 / Section 56-5-1620
SECTION 56-5-1620. Penalties for racing; revocation or suspension of drivers' licenses and registrations.
Status: in_force

Any person violating the provisions of Sections 56-5-1590 to 56-5-1620 by driving a motor vehicle shall, upon conviction, be fined not less than two hundred dollars nor more than six hundred dollars or imprisoned for not less than two months nor more than six months, or both, in the discretion of the trial judge. In addition to such penalty the driver of any vehicle who violates the provisions of Sections 56-5-1590 to 56-5-1620 shall upon conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or forfeiture of bail have his driver's license revoked for a period of one year. Any person violating the provisions of Sections 56-5-1590 to 56-5-1620 by acquiescing in or permitting the driving of his car shall, upon conviction, be fined not to exceed one hundred dollars or imprisoned for a period not to exceed thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the court and, in addition thereto, shall have his driver's license and the registration of his vehicle suspended for a period of three months.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-3730 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 37 / Section 56-3-3730
SECTION 56-3-3730. Applicability of article to other provisions of chapter; violations and penalties.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article do not affect the registration and licensing of motor vehicles as required by other provisions of this chapter, but are cumulative to them. Any person violating the provisions of this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-23-87 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 23 / Section 56-23-87
SECTION 56-23-87. Certificate of completion of driver's training course.
Status: in_force

A person successfully completing a driver's training course conducted by a person holding a valid driver's instructor permit as provided for in Section 56-23-85 must be issued a certificate of completion by the entity conducting the course in a form consistent with regulations issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-720 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-720
SECTION 56-3-720. Fees for camper or travel trailers; distinctive tag.
Status: in_force

For every camper or travel trailer the biennial registration fee is ten dollars. The Department of Motor Vehicles must include in this classification every trailer not more than thirty-five feet long and eight feet wide primarily equipped, designed, converted, or used for private living quarters and towed by a motor vehicle. The department shall design a distinctive tag which must be displayed on the exterior of the rear of the trailer in a conspicuous place.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-11-260 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 11 / Article 3 / Section 56-11-260
SECTION 56-11-260. Term of issuance of registration card and vehicle identification marker.
Status: in_force

The registration cards and markers provided for must be issued for the period beginning April first each biennium and are valid until March thirty-first of the biennium. All identification markers remain the property of the State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-196 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-196
SECTION 56-5-196. Designation of daycare center as origin or destination for school transportation.
Status: in_force

The parents or legal guardians of a student who is eligible to receive public school bus transportation must have the option of designating a child daycare center or other before or after school program as the student's origin or destination for school transportation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-7950 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 80 / Section 56-3-7950
SECTION 56-3-7950. Hunting Island State Park special license plate authorized.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue Hunting Island State Park special license plates to owners of private passenger-carrying motor vehicles registered in their names. The Friends of Hunting Island State Park, Inc., shall submit to the department for its approval the emblem, seal, or other symbol it desires to be used for this special license plate. The Friends of Hunting Island State Park, Inc., may request a change in the emblem, seal, or other symbol not more than once every five years. The fee for each special license plate is fifty dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle license fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. Each special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued. (B) Of the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167, an amount equal to the expenses of the department in producing and administering this special license plate. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be distributed to The Friends of Hunting Island State Park, Inc., for use on projects benefiting Hunting Island State Park. (C) Before the department produces and distributes the Hunting Island State Park special license plates pursuant to this section, it must receive: (1) four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate or four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate; and (2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department. (D) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for this special license plate, it may not produce additional special license plates in this series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of this series until the existing inventory is exhausted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-480 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-480
SECTION 56-1-480. Unlawful to permit unauthorized person to drive.
Status: in_force

No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control to be driven upon any highway by any person who is not authorized to do so by this article or in violation of any of the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4040 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4040
SECTION 56-5-4040. Width of motor buses and trolley coaches; local ordinances.
Status: in_force

Incorporated cities and municipalities may by ordinance permit the operation within their respective jurisdictions of any motor bus or trolley coach with a maximum outside width of not to exceed one hundred and two inches. But in the case of state highways within incorporated cities no such permit shall become effective until approved by the Department of Transportation. All such permits shall specify the streets or sections of streets over which such trolley coaches may be operated. The term "trolley coach" means a vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires though not operated upon rails. The Department of Transportation with respect to the state highways and local authorities with respect to other highways, may issue permits for the operation of motor buses and trolley coaches, having a lateral outside width of not exceeding one hundred and two inches upon any highway, route or routes of sufficient width in suburban areas adjacent to municipalities.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1340 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 7 / Section 56-1-1340
SECTION 56-1-1340. License must be kept in possession; issuance of license and convictions to be recorded.
Status: in_force

The applicant shall have a provisional driver's license in his possession at all times while driving a motor vehicle, and the issuance of such license and the violation convictions shall be entered in the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles for a period of ten years as required by Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, and 56-5-2990. Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 55, SECTION 6, substituted "Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, and 56-5-2990" for "Sections 56-5-2940 and 56-5-2990 of the 1976 Code".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-70 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 1 / Section 56-5-70
SECTION 56-5-70. Certain vehicle requirements suspended during state of emergency; declarations of emergency triggering federal relief under 49 C.F.R. 390.23.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or any other provision of law, during a state of emergency declared by the Governor and in the course of responding to the state of emergency: (a) requirements relating to registration, permitting, length, width, weight, and load are suspended for commercial and utility vehicles traveling on noninterstate routes for up to one hundred twenty days, provided the vehicles do not exceed a gross weight of ninety thousand pounds and do not exceed a width of twelve feet; (b) requirements relating to time of service suspensions for commercial and utility vehicles traveling on interstate and noninterstate routes are suspended for up to thirty days, unless extended for additional periods in accordance with 49 C.F.R. 390-399. (2) All vehicles operated upon the public highways of this State under the authority of this section must: (a) be operated in a safe manner; (b) maintain required limits of insurance; and (c) be clearly identified as a utility vehicle or provide appropriate documentation indicating it is a commercial vehicle responding to the emergency. (B) When an emergency is declared which triggers relief from regulations pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 390.23 in North Carolina or Georgia, an emergency, as referenced in the regional emergency provision of 49 C.F.R. 390.23(a)(1)(A), must be declared in this State by the Governor. (C) A declaration of emergency in this State, as described in subsection (B), must not be terminated prior to the termination of the declarations of emergencies in North Carolina and Georgia or the thirtieth day after the initial declaration of emergency in this State, whichever is less. (D) A declaration of emergency in this State that triggers relief from regulations pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 390.23 must be effective for no less than fourteen days prior to its termination. Unless the initial declaration of emergency contains a termination date, the order may not be terminated until the passage of seven days after notification of the date of termination is issued or the passage of thirty days after the initial declaration of the emergency, whichever is less. If termination of the declaration of emergency is to occur prior to the passage of thirty days after the initial declaration of emergency, the declaration of emergency must be terminated at 11:59 p.m. on a Friday. (E) Citations for violating a local ordinance or the traffic laws relating to speeding or disregarding traffic control devices based in whole or in part on photographic evidence, whether gathered in conjunction with radar speed detection devices and whether the camera or other electronic device capturing the photographic evidence was attended or unattended at the time it captured the photographic evidence, only may be issued for violations that occur while relief from regulations pursuant to 49 C.F.R. 390.23 has been granted due to an emergency. A person who receives a citation for violating traffic laws relating to speeding or disregarding traffic control devices based in whole or in part on photographic evidence must be served in person with notice of the violation within one hour of the occurrence of the violation unless a collision occurred and fault cannot be determined immediately or the party who caused the collision is not immediately accessible due to medical treatment. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to toll collection enforcement.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-13510 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 135 / Section 56-3-13510
SECTION 56-3-13510. Short title.
Status: in_force

This article may be cited as the "Savannah Lee Monroe Autism Awareness Special License Plates Act". SECTION 56-3-13520. "Autism Awareness" special motor vehicle license plates. (A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Autism Awareness" special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles, as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued. (B) The requirements for production, collection, and distribution of fees for this license plate are those set forth in Section 56-3-8100. The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of producing the license plates must be distributed to the South Carolina Autism Society.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2953 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2953
SECTION 56-5-2953. Incident site and breath test site video recording.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who violates Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 must have his conduct at the incident site and the breath test site video recorded. (1)(a) The video recording at the incident site must: (i) not begin later than the activation of the officer's blue lights; (ii) include any field sobriety tests administered; and (iii) include the arrest of a person for a violation of Section 56-5-2930 or Section 56-5-2933, or a probable cause determination in that the person violated Section 56-5-2945, and show the person being advised of his Miranda rights. (b) A refusal to take a field sobriety test does not constitute disobeying a police command. (2) The video recording at the breath test site must: (a) include the entire breath test procedure, the person being informed that he is being video recorded, and that he has the right to refuse the test; (b) include the person taking or refusing the breath test and the actions of the breath test operator while conducting the test; and (c) also include the person's conduct during the required twenty-minute pre-test waiting period, unless the officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to video record this waiting period. (3) The video recordings of the incident site and of the breath test site are admissible pursuant to the South Carolina Rules of Evidence in a criminal, administrative, or civil proceeding by any party to the action. (B) Nothing in this section may be construed as prohibiting the introduction of other relevant evidence in the trial of a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945. Failure by the arresting officer to produce the video recording required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal of any charge made pursuant to Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 if the arresting officer submits a sworn affidavit certifying that the video recording equipment at the time of the arrest or probable cause determination, or video equipment at the breath test facility was in an inoperable condition, stating which reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the equipment in an operable condition, and certifying that there was no other operable breath test facility available in the county or, in the alternative, submits a sworn affidavit certifying that it was physically impossible to produce the video recording because the person needed emergency medical treatment, or exigent circumstances existed. In circumstances including, but not limited to, road blocks, traffic accident investigations, and citizens' arrests, where an arrest has been made and the video recording equipment has not been activated by blue lights, the failure by the arresting officer to produce the video recordings required by this section is not alone a ground for dismissal. However, as soon as video recording is practicable in these circumstances, video recording must begin and conform with the provisions of this section. Nothing in this section prohibits the court from considering any other valid reason for the failure to produce the video recording based upon the totality of the circumstances; nor do the provisions of this section prohibit the person from offering evidence relating to the arresting law enforcement officer's failure to produce the video recording. (C) A video recording must not be disposed of in any manner except for its transfer to a master recording for consolidation purposes until the results of any legal proceeding in which it may be involved are finally determined. (D) SLED is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all necessary video recording equipment for use at the breath test sites. SLED also is responsible for monitoring all breath test sites to ensure the proper maintenance of video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety is responsible for purchasing, maintaining, and supplying all videotaping equipment for use in all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The Department of Public Safety also is responsible for monitoring all law enforcement vehicles used for traffic enforcement to ensure proper maintenance of video recording equipment. (E) Beginning one month from the effective date of this section, all of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to equip all breath test sites with video recording devices and supplies. Once all breath test sites have been equipped fully with video recording devices and supplies, eighty-seven and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by the Department of Public Safety to purchase, maintain, and supply video recording equipment for vehicles used for traffic enforcement. The remaining twelve and one-half percent of the funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) must be expended by SLED to purchase, maintain, and supply video recording equipment for the breath test sites. Funds must be distributed by the State Treasurer to the Department of Public Safety and SLED on a monthly basis. The Department of Public Safety and SLED are authorized to carry forward any unexpended funds received in accordance with Section 14-1-208(C)(9) as of June thirtieth of each year and to expend these carried forward funds for the purchase, maintenance, and supply of video recording equipment. The Department of Public Safety and SLED must report the revenue received under this section and the expenditures for which the revenue was used as required in the department's and SLED's annual appropriation request to the General Assembly. (F) The Department of Public Safety and SLED must promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section. (G) The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for each law enforcement vehicle used for traffic enforcement once the law enforcement vehicle is equipped with a video recording device. The provisions contained in Section 56-5-2953(A), (B), and (C) take effect for a breath test site once the breath test site is equipped with a video recording device.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-11310 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 113 / Section 56-3-11310
SECTION 56-3-11310. Second Amendment special license plates.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Second Amendment" special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger carrying motor vehicles, as defined in Section 56-3-630, or motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names. This special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. This special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month it is issued. (B) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of production must be distributed to the Criminal Justice Academy. (C) The guidelines for the production, collection and distribution of fees for a special license plate under this section must meet the requirements of Section 56-3-8100.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-840 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-840
SECTION 56-3-840. Delinquent registration and license penalties.
Status: in_force

The owner of every vehicle required to be registered and licensed under the provisions of this chapter who fails to register and license the vehicle and pay the specified fees or renewal, when and as required, upon registering the vehicle shall pay to the Department of Motor Vehicles a delinquency penalty fee of ten dollars, if the owner is delinquent less than fifteen days. If the owner is delinquent by fifteen days but less than thirty days, he shall pay a delinquency penalty of twenty-five dollars. If the owner is delinquent by more than thirty days but less than ninety days, he shall pay a delinquency penalty fee of fifty dollars to the department. If the owner is delinquent by more than ninety days, he shall pay a delinquency penalty fee of seventy-five dollars to the department. However, there is no delinquency penalty fee for campers and travel trailers subject to the registration fee under Section 56-3-720. A person who drives, moves, or operates on a highway a vehicle for which a registration and license are required but have not been obtained within thirty days of the date when required is guilty of a misdemeanor. All monies collected pursuant to this section, not to exceed the actual revenues collected in fiscal year 1999-2000, must be annually deposited to a separate account and held in reserve for the Department of Public Safety. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, these monies must be deposited to the credit of the department into a special fund in the office of the State Treasurer designated as the "Department of Public Safety Building Fund". The Department of Public Safety must use these monies and other unobligated monies for the purpose of issuing revenue bonds or for entering into a lease purchase agreement for a headquarters facility, including the renovation of existing facilities. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to initiate and direct a capital project to purchase or construct a new headquarters facility. Projects funded under this section other than for the construction or purchase of a new headquarters facility, including but not limited to, the expansion or renovation of an existing facility, must be approved by a joint resolution provided that if the Department of Public Safety employs a lease purchase agreement to build or purchase a new headquarters facility, the lease purchase agreement must be approved by the State Department of Administration or State Fiscal Accountability Authority, as appropriate. The cost of a headquarters facility must not exceed thirty million dollars unless a parking facility or garage is required.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-660 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 7 / Section 56-10-660
SECTION 56-10-660. Database information disclosure; fee.
Status: in_force

(A) The division, for a fee as prescribed and promulgated by regulation, shall disclose an individual's reported database information upon request by the following individuals and agencies only: (1) the individual; (2) the parent or legal guardian of an individual who is an unemancipated minor; (3) the legal guardian of an individual who is legally incapacitated; (4) a person who has power of attorney from the individual; (5) a person who submits a notarized release from the individual that is dated no more than ninety days before the date the request is made; (6) a person suffering loss or injury or against whom a claim is made for loss or injury in a motor vehicle accident in which the individual is involved, but only as part of an accident report authorized in Section 56-9-351; (7) a state or local government agency investigating, litigating, or enforcing the person's compliance with the financial security requirements; or (8) persons regulated under Title 38 of the 1976 Code for the purposes of paying or adjudicating claims and preventing fraud or abuse. (B) The funds collected from this fee described by subsection (A) must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray its expenses. (C) The State is not liable to any person for gathering, managing, or using information in the database pursuant to this article. (D) No insurer is liable to any person for performing its duties under this article unless, and to the extent, the insurer commits a wilful and wanton act or omission. (E) Insurers shall be required to pay only those actual costs attributed to the transmission to or retrieval of their records from the Department of Motor Vehicles, pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Department of Insurance. The funds collected from the insurers pursuant to this subsection must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray its expenses.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-220 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-220
SECTION 56-19-220. Exemption of certain vehicles.
Status: in_force

No certificate of title need be obtained for: (1) A vehicle owned by the United States unless it is registered in this State; (2) A vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer and held for sale, even though incidentally moved on the highway or used for purposes of testing or demonstration, or a vehicle used by the manufacturer solely for testing; (3) A vehicle owned by a nonresident of this State and not required by law to be registered in this State; (4) A vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective certificate of title has been issued in another state; (5) A vehicle moved solely by animal power; (6) An implement of husbandry; (7) Special mobile equipment not required to be registered and licensed in this State; (8) A pole trailer; (9) A vehicle not required to be licensed and registered in this State, except mobile homes; (10) A vehicle used by its manufacturer in a benefit program for the manufacturer's employees; (11) A vehicle used by its manufacturer for testing, distribution, evaluation, and promotion, subject to the limitation in Section 56-3-2332(B)(2); or (12) A moped. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 89, SECTION 32, in (9), substituted "A vehicle" for "Vehicles"; added (12), relating to mopeds; and made nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-4800 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 48 / Section 56-3-4800
SECTION 56-3-4800. Sons of Confederate Veterans license plates; distribution of fees; prepaid applications.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may issue Sons of Confederate Veterans special license plates to owners of private passenger-carrying motor vehicles and motorcycles registered in their names. The fee for each special license plate is thirty dollars every two years in addition to the regular motor vehicle license fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title. Each special license plate must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates. Each special license plate must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month the special license plate is issued. (B) Of the fees collected pursuant to this section, the Comptroller General shall place into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167, an amount equal to the expenses of the department in producing and administering this special license plate. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be distributed to the South Carolina Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. (C) Before the department produces and distributes the Sons of Confederate Veterans special license plates pursuant to this section, it must receive: (1) four hundred or more prepaid applications for the special license plate or a deposit of four thousand dollars from the individual or organization seeking issuance of the license plate. If a deposit of four thousand dollars is made by an individual or organization pursuant to this section, the department shall refund the four thousand dollars once an equivalent amount of license plate fees is collected for that organization's license plate. If the equivalent amount is not collected within four years of the first issuance of the respective license plate, the department shall retain the deposit; and (2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department. (D) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for this special license plate, it may not produce additional special license plates in this series. The department shall continue to issue special license plates of this series until the existing inventory is exhausted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2715 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 21 / Section 56-5-2715
SECTION 56-5-2715. Stop required at designated railroad grade crossings.
Status: in_force

The Department of Transportation, and local authorities with the approval of the Department of Transportation, may designate particularly dangerous highway grade crossings of railroads and erect stop signs thereat. When such signs are erected, the driver of any vehicle shall stop within fifty feet, but not less than fifteen feet, from the nearest rail of the railroad and shall proceed only upon exercising due care.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1850 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 13 / Section 56-5-1850
SECTION 56-5-1850. When passing on the right is permitted.
Status: in_force

(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: 1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn. 2. Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being travelled by the overtaking vehicle. (b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-350 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 56-3-350
SECTION 56-3-350. Grounds for refusing to register and license or transfer registration of vehicle.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall refuse to register and license or transfer registration upon one or more of the following grounds: (1) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement or the applicant has not furnished required information or reasonable additional information requested by the department. (2) The vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways. (3) The department has reasonable ground to believe the vehicle is stolen or the registration and licensing or transfer is a fraud against the rightful owner of the vehicle. (4) The registration and license of the vehicle is canceled, suspended, or revoked as provided in this chapter or other motor vehicle laws of this State. (5) The required fee has not been paid. (6) For a vehicle purchased outside this State, satisfactory evidence of payment of the South Carolina use tax has not been presented.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-740 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 56-1-740
SECTION 56-1-740. Suspension of driver's license or nonresident's privilege to drive; special restricted driver's licenses.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend, for not more than six months, the driver's license and privilege of a person upon a showing by its records, based on a uniform point system as authorized in this article, that the licensee has been convicted with such frequency of offenses against motor vehicle traffic laws or ordinances as to indicate a disrespect for the laws or ordinances and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways. For the purposes of this article, a total of twelve points assessed against a driver as determined by the values designated in Section 56-1-720 indicates disrespect and disregard. The privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the highways of this State, given to a nonresident under the laws of this State, is subject to suspension by the department in like manner, and for like cause, the same as a driver's license issued by this State may be suspended. Periods of suspension of the license or privilege of a person for various accumulation of points must be as follows, with the person having the privilege to request a review of his driving record: (1) twelve to fifteen points—three months' suspension; (2) sixteen or seventeen points—four months' suspension; (3) eighteen or nineteen points—five months' suspension; (4) twenty points and over—six months' suspension. (B)(1) If a person is employed or enrolled in a college or university at any time while his driver's license is suspended pursuant to this section, he may apply for a special restricted driver's license permitting him to drive only to and from work or his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license only upon a showing by the person that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, and that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment or place of education. (2) If the department issues a special restricted driver's license, it shall designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the person may operate a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee. (3) The fee for each special restricted driver's license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee is due because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Of this fee, eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167. The remainder of the fees collected pursuant to this section must be credited to the Department of Transportation State Non-Federal Aid Highway Fund. (4) The operation of a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special restricted license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3470 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 27 / Section 56-5-3470
SECTION 56-5-3470. Lamps and reflectors on bicycle.
Status: in_force

A bicycle when in use at nighttime must be equipped with a lamp on the front which must emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear that must be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of the lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-540 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-540
SECTION 56-1-540. Files, records, and indexes to be kept.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall: (1) File every application for a license received by it and shall maintain suitable indexes containing, in alphabetical order: (a) all applications denied and on each thereof note of the reasons for such denial; (b) all applications granted; and (c) the name of every licensee whose license has been canceled, suspended or revoked by the department and after each such name a note of the reasons for such action; and (2) The department shall file all accident reports and abstracts of court records of convictions received by it under the laws of this State and, in connection therewith, maintain convenient records or make suitable notations in order that an individual record of each licensee showing the convictions of such licensee and the traffic accidents in which he has been involved shall be readily ascertainable and available for the consideration of the department upon application for renewal of license and at other suitable times.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4060 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4060
SECTION 56-5-4060. Height of vehicles; exception; routing permits; underpasses.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) No vehicle, unladen or with load, may exceed a height of thirteen feet six inches except that the height of an automobile transporter unit or a heavy truck transporting one or more other heavy trucks in a saddle mount combination may not exceed fourteen feet. Automobile transporters and heavy trucks transporting one or more other heavy trucks in a saddle mount combination are responsible for any personal injury or property damage resulting from operating a unit at a height in excess of thirteen feet six inches. (2) To qualify for the fourteen foot exception contained in subsection (A)(1), the owner or operator of the heavy truck transporting one or more other heavy trucks in a saddle mount combination must have a valid routing permit issued by the Department of Transportation. All applicants shall be issued routing permits at no charge upon providing the department with evidence of its general liability coverage. Routing permits shall remain valid for twelve months from the date of issuance and specify the routes that may be traveled by the permittee and the conditions the permittee must observe while transporting heavy trucks in a saddle mount combination. Routing permits do not limit or otherwise affect the holder's liability for personal injuries or property damage. (B) It is unlawful for any person to operate or attempt to operate under any underpass having a vertical clearance of less than thirteen feet six inches any vehicle with a height in excess of the vertical clearance of the underpass posted in accordance with the manual on uniform traffic-control devices provided for in Section 56-5-920. No person is required to raise, alter, construct, or reconstruct any existing underpass, wire, pole, trestle, or other structure to permit the passage of any vehicle, and neither the State nor any of its agencies or political subdivisions are liable for any personal injury or property damage resulting from the operation of a vehicle over any highway, road, or bridge or through any underpass having a vertical clearance of less than fourteen feet where the Department of Transportation or other body having maintenance jurisdiction of the underpass has posted notice of the reduced vertical clearance in accordance with the manual on uniform traffic-control devices provided for in Section 56-5-920.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-85 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-85
SECTION 56-1-85. REAL ID Act.
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this State: (1) The State is committed to the continuing effort of enhancing the security, authentication, and issuance procedure standards of its drivers' licenses and identification cards and of meeting all requirements of the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13) and accompanying regulations. (2) The department shall enable qualifying citizens to obtain state drivers' licenses and identification cards that are in compliance with the REAL ID Act. (3) The department shall not provide direct access to the department's full driver's license database to any other jurisdiction. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 6, SECTION 2, amended the section, adding the paragraph designators, providing that the state shall meet all the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act, and that the department of motor vehicles shall not provide direct access to its full driver's license database to any other jurisdiction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3670 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 29 / Section 56-5-3670
SECTION 56-5-3670. Goggles or face shields shall be worn by operators under age twenty-one; list of approved goggles and face shields.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one to operate a two-wheeled motorized vehicle unless he wears goggles or a face shield of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. The department is hereby authorized to adopt and amend regulations covering types of goggles and face shields and the specifications therefor and to establish and maintain a list of approved goggles and face shields which meet the specifications as established hereunder.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-420 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-420
SECTION 56-19-420. Fee; allocation.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall charge fifteen dollars for: (1) the issuance of a certificate of title; (2) the transfer of a certificate of title; (3) the issuance of a duplicate certificate of title; or (4) the establishment, modification, or revocation of Transfer on Death beneficiaries pursuant to Section 62-6-401. (B) Five dollars of the fee contained in this section must be placed in a special earmarked account by the Comptroller General and must be distributed in the following manner: (1) the first one million dollars must be credited to the general fund of the State to offset a portion of state individual income tax revenue not collected pursuant to the subsistence allowance allowed pursuant to Section 12-6-1140(6); and (2) the remainder must be allocated to the Department of Public Safety and used to support highway patrol programs. (C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, five dollars of the fee contained in this section must be placed in the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167 by the Comptroller General. Editor's Note 2024 Act No. 200, SECTION 30, provides as follows: "SECTION 30. SECTIONS 1-21 of this act take effect upon approval by the Governor and their provisions shall apply to all applicable actions, proceedings, and matters filed on and after the effective date; SECTIONS 22-29 of this act take effect on July 1, 2025." Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 200, SECTION 28, in (A), inserted (4), and made nonsubstantive changes.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-37-30 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 37 / Section 56-37-30
SECTION 56-37-30. Establishment of points system for evaluating performance record of dealers; violations; sanctions.
Status: in_force

(A) There is established a points system for evaluating the performance record of any dealer licensed under this title and its continuing ability to operate as a dealer in this State. The department may only impose the sanctions described below if they are found to have occurred in the course of dealer-related business, to include a private citizen acting on behalf of a licensed dealer in their role as a dealer. If any dealer or employee of a dealership makes these errors in their role as a private citizen, those violations are not counted against the dealer license but may be penalized in accordance with state law. (B) For multiple record errors over a six-month period of time, the department may impose a two-point violation against a dealer license for the following: (1) errors or omissions on transactions regarding incoming or outgoing documents; (2) incorrect acquisition or sale dates; (3) incorrect vehicle identification numbers; (4) incorrect make, model, or type of body; (5) incorrect incoming or outgoing odometer reading; (6) incorrect name and address of the person a vehicle was acquired from or transferred to; (7) inability to provide an account for a dealer, transporter, or wholesale auto auction plate; or (8) issuance of a second temporary plate to a purchaser. (C) The following are four-point violations: (1) dealer selling at address different than indicated on dealer application and license; (2) failure to deliver a title to a buyer or the department within forty-five days of the date of sale; (3) reasonable records request unavailable upon the demand of the department; (4) issuance of any temporary license plate to a person not authorized to have the plate; (5) misuse of dealer, transporter, or wholesale auto auction plate; and (6) operating or allowing the operation of a vehicle with a suspended dealer plate. (D) The following are six-point violations: (1) selling out-of-trust or breach-of-trust; (2) possession of an open title; (3) altering or changing documents to avoid or delay registration; (4) maintaining or producing fraudulent records; (5) licensure as a wholesaler dealer only, but selling vehicles retail; (6) having a volume of sales that do not warrant the number of license plates issued; (7) dealer or auction facilitating a wholesaler selling retail; (8) failure to remit any state-owed fees within the time period prescribed by law to the department; (9) conviction by the licensee involving acquisition or transfer of a title to a vehicle; (10) conviction by the licensee of a criminal offense or judgment in a civil case in which there is fraud connected to the sale or transfer of a vehicle; and (11) use of fraudulent methods or practices. (E) The department's Inspector General or the Inspector General's designee has the authority to issue sanctions based on findings during inspections and audits. The department may turn any records of sanctions over to the law enforcement entity with jurisdiction over the licensed location of the dealership for criminal prosecution. Editor's Note 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 40(D), provides as follows: "[SECTION 40.](D) SECTIONS 15 through 28 take effect on January 1, 2024. Any dealership applying for or renewing licenses, or operating on a currently issued license on or after January 1, 2024, is subject to the provisions of SECTIONS 15 through 28."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-2-3030 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 2 / Article 3 / Section 56-2-3030
SECTION 56-2-3030. Application for registration and licensing of mopeds.
Status: in_force

An owner of a moped required to be registered in this State must make application to the department for the registration and licensing of the moped. The application must be made upon the appropriate form furnished by the department. Every application must bear the signature of the owner.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-230 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 3 / Section 56-10-230
SECTION 56-10-230. Notice of termination of insurance.
Status: in_force

Prior to the termination of insurance by cancellation or refusal to renew by the insurer notice thereof must be given as required by Sections 38-77-110 and 38-77-120.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-32-20 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 32 / Section 56-32-20
SECTION 56-32-20. Motor vehicle damage disclosure.
Status: in_force

(A) A motor vehicle manufacturer shall disclose, in writing to a motor vehicle dealer at the time of delivery of a new motor vehicle, damage and repair to the new motor vehicle that occurred while the vehicle was in the possession or under the control of the manufacturer if the damage exceeds three percent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price as calculated at the rate of the dealer's authorized warranty rate for labor and parts. A manufacturer is not required to disclose to a dealer that the glass, tires, bumper, or in-dash equipment of or in a motor vehicle was damaged if the damaged item has been replaced with original or comparable new equipment. (B) A motor vehicle dealer shall disclose, in writing to a purchaser of a new motor vehicle before entering into a sales contract, any damage and repair to the new motor vehicle if the cost of the damage exceeds three percent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price calculated at the rate of the dealer's authorized warranty rate for labor and parts. A dealer is not required to disclose to a purchaser that the glass, tires, bumper, or in-dash equipment of or in a new motor vehicle was damaged if the equipment or item has been replaced with original or comparable new equipment. (C) If disclosure is not required under this section, a purchaser may not revoke or rescind a sales contract nor bring a civil action based solely upon the fact that the new motor vehicle was damaged and repaired before completion of the sale. (D) For purposes of this section, "manufacturer's suggested retail price" means the retail price of the new motor vehicle suggested by the manufacturer including the retail delivered price suggested by the manufacturer for each accessory or item of optional equipment physically attached to the new motor vehicle at the time of delivery to the motor vehicle dealer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6130 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 43 / Section 56-5-6130
SECTION 56-5-6130. Parents and guardians shall not permit children and wards to violate chapter.
Status: in_force

The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6330 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 45 / Section 56-5-6330
SECTION 56-5-6330. Termination shall not affect roads otherwise covered by Act.
Status: in_force

The termination shall not affect those portions of this chapter which apply to private roads irrespective of the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2900 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 32 / Section 56-3-2900
SECTION 56-3-2900. Department of Motor Vehicles authorized to provide temporary license plates and registration cards for trailers and semi-trailers; fees; issuance by manufacturer.
Status: in_force

Upon request the Department of Motor Vehicles shall provide temporary license plates and registration cards designed by the department to manufacturers in South Carolina who produce trailers or semi-trailers and who apply for these plates and cards. The fee for each set of license plates and registration cards is twenty dollars. Applications for these license plates and registration cards must be made to the department on forms prescribed and furnished by the department. The department shall issue temporary license plates and registration cards in blocks of up to one hundred per application. When a block of temporary license plates and registration cards is issued, the fee is equal to the number of sets of temporary license plates and registration cards in the block multiplied by twenty dollars. A manufacturer may issue a temporary license plate to a trailer or semi-trailer that is being moved from the manufacturer to the dealer's or purchaser's place of business.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4072 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4072
SECTION 56-5-4072. Towing.
Status: in_force

The operator of a vehicle utilizing a fifth wheel assembly may tow one additional trailing vehicle, provided that: (1) the operator has been issued a classified driver's license by the department; (2) the operation is for private, recreational purposes only; (3) the combined length of all three vehicles does not exceed sixty-five feet, inclusive of front and rear bumpers and load; (4) the weight of the final trailer with its load does not exceed three thousand pounds; (5) the towing truck is equipped with a functioning video system that enables the operator to monitor the final trailer as it is being towed; and (6) in addition to the drawbar, tongue, trailer hitch, or other primary connection, the final trailer is attached by a safety chain, safety cable, or equivalent safety device. Both the primary connection and the safety device must be of sufficient strength to retain the connection between the fifth wheel assembly and the final trailer under all conditions while the final trailer is being towed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2910 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2910
SECTION 56-5-2910. Reckless vehicular homicide; penalties; revocation of driver's license; reinstatement of license; conditions; consequences for subsequent violations.
Status: in_force

(A) When the death of a person ensues within three years as a proximate result of injury received by the driving of a vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others, the person operating the vehicle is guilty of reckless vehicular homicide. A person who is convicted of, pleads guilty to, or pleads nolo contendere to reckless vehicular homicide is guilty of a felony, and must be fined not less than one thousand dollars nor more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall revoke for five years the driver's license of a person convicted of reckless vehicular homicide. (B) After one year from the date of revocation, the person may petition the circuit court in the county of the person's residence for reinstatement of the person's driver's license. The person shall serve a copy of the petition upon the solicitor of the county. The solicitor shall notify the representative of the victim of the reckless vehicular homicide of the person's intent to seek reinstatement of the person's driver's license. The solicitor or his designee within thirty days may respond to the petition and demand a hearing on the merits of the petition. If the solicitor or his designee does not demand a hearing, the circuit court shall consider any affidavit submitted by the petitioner and the solicitor or his designee when determining whether the conditions required for driving privilege reinstatement have been met by the petitioner. The court may order the reinstatement of the person's driver's license upon the following conditions: (1) intoxicating alcohol, beer, wine, drugs, or narcotics were not involved in the vehicular accident which resulted in the reckless homicide conviction or plea; (2) the petitioner has served the term of imprisonment or paid the fine, assessment, and restitution in full, or both; and (3) the person's overall driving record, attitude, habits, character, and driving ability would make it safe to reinstate the privilege of operating a motor vehicle. The circuit court may order the reinstatement of the driver's license before the completion of the full five-year revocation period, or the judge may order the granting of a route restricted license for the remainder of the five-year period to allow the person to drive to and from employment or school, or the judge may place other restrictions on the driver's license reinstatement. The order of the judge must be transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days. (C) If the person's privilege to operate a motor vehicle is reinstated, a subsequent violation of the motor vehicle laws for any moving violation requires the automatic cancellation of the person's driver's license and imposition of the full period of revocation for the reckless vehicular homicide violation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-13910 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 139 / Section 56-3-13910
SECTION 56-3-13910. Special personalized motor vehicle license plates; fee; design.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may issue special personalized motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630, and motorcycles as defined in Section 56-3-20, registered in their names for any special organizational plate authorized pursuant to Section 56-3-8000, Section 56-3-8100, or any other organizational plate authorized by law. In order for a specialized license plate to be personalized, the sponsoring organization, if there is one, must agree to make the license plate available for personalization. The person requesting the special personalized license plate must meet all of the requirements to obtain the specialty license plate. (B) The fee for all special personalized organizational license plates created pursuant to this section is the regular biennial registration fee set forth in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title plus an additional biennial personalization fee of thirty dollars, in addition to any special fee associated with the selected plate design. The Comptroller General shall place twenty dollars of the special personalized organizational license plate fee in a special restricted account to be used by the department to defray the expenses of the department. The remaining ten dollars of the personalization fee must be distributed to the sponsoring organization. The department may not refund the fee once the personalized license plate has been manufactured. (C) The license plate design must be identical to the design approved by the department for the organizational license plate, but the license plate will bear the requested number or letter combination subject to approval by the department. There may be no duplication of registration license plate letter or number combinations. The department, in its discretion, may refuse the issue of letter or number combinations which may carry connotations offensive to good taste and decency.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2920 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 32 / Section 56-3-2920
SECTION 56-3-2920. Issuance and delivery of registration cards by manufacturer.
Status: in_force

A manufacturer who issues a temporary license plate shall also prepare a temporary registration card upon a form prescribed and furnished by the Department of Motor Vehicles and must deliver it with the temporary plate to the owner of the trailer or semi-trailer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-120
SECTION 56-1-120. Release from imputed liability by cancellation of permit or license.
Status: in_force

Any person who has signed the application of a minor for a permit or license may thereafter file with the Department of Motor Vehicles a verified written request that the permit or license of such minor so granted be cancelled. Thereupon, the person who signed the application of such minor shall be relieved from the liability imposed under Section 56-1-110 by reason of having signed such application on account of any subsequent negligence or wilful misconduct of such minor in operating a motor vehicle, and the license or permit of such minor shall be cancelled by the Department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3820 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 31 / Section 56-5-3820
SECTION 56-5-3820. Operation of vehicle when driver's view or control over driving mechanism interfered with.
Status: in_force

No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, exceeding three, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle. No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to interfere with the driver's view ahead or to the side or to interfere with his control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.