S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-2130 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2130
SECTION 56-1-2130. Tests for alcohol or drugs; presumption of consent; administration of tests; warnings; refusal to take test; reports required.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who drives a commercial motor vehicle within this State is considered to have given consent, subject to provisions of Section 56-5-2950, to take a test of that person's blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining that person's alcohol concentration or the presence of other drugs. (B) Tests may be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer, who after stopping or detaining the driver of a commercial motor vehicle, has probable cause to believe that the driver was driving a commercial motor vehicle while having a measurable amount of alcohol in his system. (C) A person requested to submit to a test as provided in subsection (A) must be warned by the law enforcement officer requesting the test, that a refusal to submit to the test must result in that person being placed out of service immediately for twenty-four hours and being disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for not less than one year under Section 56-1-2110. (D) If the person refuses testing, or submits to a test which discloses an alcohol concentration of four one-hundredths of one percent or more, the law enforcement officer shall submit a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles certifying that the test was requested pursuant to subsection (A) and that the person refused to submit to testing, or submitted to a test which disclosed an alcohol concentration of four one-hundredths of one percent or more. (E) Upon receipt of the report of a law enforcement officer submitted under subsection (D), the department shall disqualify the driver from driving a commercial motor vehicle under Section 56-1-2110.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 56-5-3120
SECTION 56-5-3120. Local regulations.
Status: in_force

Local authorities may by ordinance require that pedestrians shall strictly comply with the directions of any official traffic-control signal and may by ordinance prohibit pedestrians from crossing any roadway in a business district or any designated highways except in a crosswalk.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-35-40 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 35 / Section 56-35-40
SECTION 56-35-40. Penalty.
Status: in_force

A violation of the provisions contained in this chapter is a nonmoving traffic offense that is punishable by: (1) a warning ticket for an offense that occurs between July 1, 2008, to July 1, 2009; or (2) a fine of seventy-five dollars for each offense that occurs after July 1, 2009.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2934 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2934
SECTION 56-5-2934. Compulsory process to obtain witnesses and documents; breath testing software.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person charged with a violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or 56-5-2945 who is being tried in any court of competent jurisdiction in this State has the right to compulsory process for obtaining witnesses, documents, or both, including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to this article. This process may be issued under the official signature of the magistrate, judge, clerk, or other officer of the court of competent jurisdiction. The term "documents" includes, but is not limited to, a copy of the computer software program of breath testing devices. SLED must produce all breath testing software in a manner that complies with any and all licensing agreements. This section does not limit a person's ability to obtain breath testing software directly from the manufacturer or distributor.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-12310 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 123 / Section 56-3-12310
SECTION 56-3-12310. Citadel Alumni Association "Big Red" special license plates.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue Citadel Alumni Association "Big Red" 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-five 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) The fees collected pursuant to this section above the cost of producing the license plates must be distributed to the Citadel Alumni Association. (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. § 56-3-1380 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 56-3-1380
SECTION 56-3-1380. Return of registration card and license plates for wrecked or dismantled vehicle.
Status: in_force

An owner who dismantles or wrecks a vehicle registered and licensed pursuant to this chapter shall forward to the Department of Motor Vehicles the registration card, license plate, and revalidation sticker last issued for the vehicle. A person or entity who disposes of a vehicle to a demolisher or secondary metals recycler shall provide the vehicle's title certificate to the demolisher or secondary metals recycler so that the demolisher or secondary metals recycler can surrender the title certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to Sections 56-5-5670 and 56-5-5945.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-7-50 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 7 / Section 56-7-50
SECTION 56-7-50. Nonapplicability to certain agencies.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources or to any of its agents.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4130 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4130
SECTION 56-5-4130. Wheel and axle loads; high and low pressure tires.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) The gross weight upon any wheel of a vehicle shall not exceed eight thousand pounds when equipped with high-pressure pneumatic, solid rubber or cushion tires, nor ten thousand pounds when equipped with low-pressure pneumatic tires. The gross weight upon any one axle of a vehicle shall not exceed sixteen thousand pounds when equipped with high-pressure pneumatic, solid rubber or cushion tires, nor twenty thousand pounds when equipped with low-pressure pneumatic tires. (2) On the interstate and noninterstate highways of this State, any over-the-road bus as defined by Title 49 of the United States Code, motorhome, or any vehicle which is regularly and exclusively used as an intrastate public agency transit passenger bus as defined by Title 49 of the United States Code, is excluded from the axle weight limits in item (1). However, these vehicles are limited to a maximum single axle weight limit of twenty-four thousand pounds, including all enforcement tolerances. (B) For the purpose of this section an "axle load" shall be defined as the total load transmitted to the road by all wheels whose centers may be included between two parallel transverse vertical planes forty inches apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle, every pneumatic tire designed for use and used when inflated with air to less than one hundred pounds pressure shall be deemed a "low-pressure tire" and every pneumatic tire inflated to one hundred pounds pressure or more shall be deemed a "high-pressure tire".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-11-30 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 56-11-30
SECTION 56-11-30. Applicability of other laws to administration and enforcement of motor carrier road tax.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of administration and enforcement of this chapter, the provisions of Title 12, wherever applicable, are adopted and made a part of this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-361 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 4 / Section 56-9-361
SECTION 56-9-361. Employment of suspended driver as operator of vehicle; employer's proof of financial responsibility.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person whose license would otherwise have been suspended for failure to deposit security required pursuant to this article is, or later becomes, an operator in the employ of another owner, the Department of Motor Vehicles may in its discretion, notwithstanding any provisions in this chapter to the contrary, allow such person to retain his license to operate a vehicle of another owner, in the pursuit of such employment, if the employer-owner of the vehicle shall have furnished proof of financial responsibility covering the operation of any vehicle which such person may be permitted to operate. The Department shall designate the restrictions imposed pursuant to this section on that person's license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1250 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 56-3-1250
SECTION 56-3-1250. Registration cards; contents, possession, and display.
Status: in_force

The department, upon registering and licensing a vehicle, shall issue to the owner of the vehicle a registration card containing upon the face of the card the date issued, the name and address of the owner, including the county in which the owner resides, the registration and license number assigned to the vehicle, and that other description of the vehicle as may be determined by the department. The registration card must be delivered to the owner. Every registration card must at all times be carried by the person driving or in control of the vehicle, who shall display it upon demand of a police officer or any other person authorized by law to examine registration cards.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4120
SECTION 56-5-4120. Connections to trailers and towed vehicles; display of white flag.
Status: in_force

When one vehicle is towing another vehicle, the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed thereby and such drawbar or other connection shall not exceed fifteen feet from one vehicle to the other except the connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered. When one vehicle is towing another vehicle and the connection consists of a chain, rope or cable there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than twelve inches square.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-28-20 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 28 / Section 56-28-20
SECTION 56-28-20. Manufacturers to provide annual written summaries of certain motor vehicles; forms; records to be made available; penalties.
Status: in_force

Every manufacturer, in a format and a form that must be mailed annually to each manufacturer approved by the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs, shall provide a written summary of all motor vehicles repurchased or replaced under this chapter no less than once each calendar year. In addition, every manufacturer shall make available any paperwork, reports, or other information regarding vehicles subject to this chapter upon request by the administrator. Failure to supply either the written summaries of repurchased vehicles or respond to reasonable requests for information by the administrator subjects the manufacturer to an administrative penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars for each violation which the administrator in his discretion may impose.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-16-160 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 16 / Section 56-16-160
SECTION 56-16-160. Requirement as to dealer's maintenance of bona fide established place of business; size of business; permanent sign; conducting business on property adjacent.
Status: in_force

No dealer may be issued or allowed to maintain a motorcycle dealer's license unless: (1) The dealer maintains a bona fide established place of business for conducting the business of selling or exchanging motorcycles which must be the principal business conducted from the fixed location. The sale of motorcycles or motor driven cycles need not be the principal business conducted from the fixed location. A bona fide established place of business for any motorcycle dealer includes a permanent, enclosed building or structure, not excluding a permanently installed mobile home containing at least ninety-six square feet of floor space, actually occupied by the applicant and easily accessible by the public, at which a permanent business of bartering, trading, or selling of motorcycles or displaying vehicles for bartering, trading, or selling is carried on, 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. A bona fide established place of business does not mean a residence, tent, temporary stand, or other temporary quarters. (2) The dealer's place of business must display a permanent sign with letters at least six inches in height, clearly readable from the nearest major avenue of traffic. The sign must clearly identify the licensed business. (3) The dealer's place of business must have a reasonable area or lot to properly display motorcycles. (4) A motorcycle dealer may use his license to conduct business on property adjacent to or within site of his bona fide established place of business. The property adjacent to or property within sight of his bona fide established place of business is deemed to be contiguous to his bona fide established place of business 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 adjacent property or the property 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 adjacent property must be maintained at the bona fide established place of business pursuant to this section. 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 under this item must declare to the department on the dealer license application the street address of the adjacent property or property within sight of his bona fide established place of business and affirm that the dealer has met any local requirements to lawfully conduct business at that location. Editor's Note 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 26, added (4).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-17-10 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 17 / Section 56-17-10
SECTION 56-17-10. Willful failure to purchase license, keep records, or supply information in violation of law; willful falsification of information.
Status: in_force

A person required by a provision of law or by regulation to purchase a license, keep any records, or supply any information, who wilfully fails to purchase a license, keep the records, or supply the information or who wilfully falsifies information so supplied, at the time or times required by law or regulation, in addition to other penalties provided by law, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, including the cost of prosecution.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-36-10 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 36 / Section 56-36-10
SECTION 56-36-10. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter: (1) "Car sharing delivery period" means the period of time during which a shared vehicle is being delivered to the location for transfer of possession of the shared vehicle pursuant to the agreement. (2) "Car sharing period" means the period of time from: (a) the car sharing delivery period until the car sharing termination time; or (b) if there is no car sharing delivery period, the car sharing start time until the car sharing termination time. (3) "Car sharing program agreement" or "agreement" means the terms and conditions that govern the use, duration of time, and location for transfer of possession of a shared vehicle through a peer-to-peer car sharing program. (4) "Car sharing start time" means the time when the shared vehicle becomes subject to the control of the shared vehicle driver at or after the time the reservation of a shared vehicle is scheduled to begin as documented in the records of a peer-to-peer car sharing program. (5) "Car sharing termination time" means the earliest of the following events: (a) the expiration of the agreed-upon period of time established for the use of a shared vehicle according to the terms of the car sharing program agreement, provided that the shared vehicle is delivered to the location agreed upon in the car sharing program agreement; (b) when the shared vehicle is returned to a location as alternately agreed upon by the shared vehicle owner and shared vehicle driver as communicated through a peer-to-peer car sharing program, which alternatively agreed upon location shall be incorporated into the car sharing program agreement; or (c) when the shared vehicle owner or owner's designee takes possession and control of the shared vehicle. (6) "Peer-to-peer car sharing" means the authorized use of a shared vehicle by an individual other than the vehicle's owner through a peer-to-peer car sharing program pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (7) "Peer-to-peer car sharing program" or "program" means a business platform that connects vehicle owners with drivers to enable the sharing of vehicles for financial consideration. (8) "Peer-to-peer car sharing transaction" means the payment of monetary consideration from a shared vehicle driver in exchange for the use of a shared vehicle for peer-to-peer car sharing. (9) "Shared vehicle" means a vehicle that is available for sharing through a peer-to-peer car sharing program. (10) "Shared vehicle driver" means an individual who has been authorized to drive the shared vehicle pursuant to a valid car sharing program agreement. (11) "Shared vehicle owner" means the registered owner of a shared vehicle or his designee.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-37-80 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 37 / Section 56-37-80
SECTION 56-37-80. Revocation of license; denial of application for dealer license.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles must immediately revoke the license of any dealer issued pursuant to this title upon: (1) a conviction involving theft or possessions of a stolen vehicle, involvement with a chop shop, or a violation of law involving tampering with, altering, or removing vehicle identification numbers or markings; or (2) a conviction in administrative, civil, or criminal court of a dealer violation of state or federal law regarding the disconnecting, resetting, altering, or otherwise unlawful tampering with a motor vehicle's odometer. (B) Upon the revocation of a license, the licensee, or his designee, shall immediately return to the department the license and all dealer license plates. The department must revoke the dealer license plates if the plates are not returned to the department. (C) The department may deny any application for dealer licenses for ten years after notification of the conviction if the applicant is a member of the immediate family as a dealer whose license has been revoked. At the conclusion of the ten-year period, a dealer whose license has been revoked may apply to the Dealer Sanctions Review Board to be relicensed. However, upon review of the board, a dealer whose license has been revoked may continue to be denied a dealer license of any type. 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. § 56-5-4500 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4500
SECTION 56-5-4500. Height of head lamps from ground.
Status: in_force

Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than fifty-four inches nor less than twenty-four inches to be measured as set forth in Section 56-5-4480. However, this section shall apply only to new vehicles sold in this State after June 30, 1949.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2945 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2945
SECTION 56-5-2945. Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who, while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or the combination of alcohol and drugs, drives a motor vehicle and when driving a motor vehicle does any act forbidden by law or neglects any duty imposed by law in the driving of the motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great bodily injury or death to another person, is guilty of the offense of felony driving under the influence, and, upon conviction, must be punished: (1) by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand one hundred dollars nor more than ten thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more than fifteen years when great bodily injury results; (2) by a mandatory fine of not less than ten thousand one hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars and mandatory imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years when death results. A part of the mandatory sentences required to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and probation must not be granted for any portion. (B) As used in this section, "great bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. (C)(1) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver's license of a person who is convicted pursuant to this section. For suspension purposes of this section, convictions arising out of a single incident must run concurrently. (2) After the person is released from prison, the person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400. The ignition interlock device is required to be affixed to the motor vehicle for three years when great bodily injury results and five years when a death occurs. (D) One hundred dollars of each fine imposed pursuant to this section must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-60 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 1 / Section 56-19-60
SECTION 56-19-60. Method of giving notice; proof of service.
Status: in_force

Whenever the Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized or required to give any notice under this chapter or Chapter 21 of Title 16, unless a different method of giving such notice is otherwise expressly prescribed, such notice shall be given either by personal delivery thereof to the person to be so notified or by deposit in the United States mail of such notice by certified mail in an envelope with postage prepaid, addressed to such person at his address as shown by the records of the Department. The giving of notice by mail is complete upon the expiration of ten days after the deposit of the notice. Proof of the giving of notice in either such manner may be made by the certificate of any officer or employee of the Department or affidavit of any person over eighteen years of age, naming the person to whom such notice was given and specifying the time, place and manner of the giving thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6190 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 43 / Section 56-5-6190
SECTION 56-5-6190. General penalty for violations of chapter.
Status: in_force

It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter unless such violation is by this chapter or other law of this State declared to be a felony. Every person convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter for which another penalty is not provided shall 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. § 56-3-214 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 56-3-214
SECTION 56-3-214. Quality assurance program.
Status: in_force

(A) The department shall implement a quality assurance program to ensure the integrity of the electronic registration and titling program. Pursuant to this section, the quality assurance entity shall perform quality assurance reviews of data and submitted forms through the electronic vehicle registration system. The department shall develop program standards and specifications for quality assurance. Quality assurance entities must agree to the program terms, conditions, standards, specifications, and bond requirement in order to participate. (B)(1) A quality assurance entity must be a statewide motor vehicle dealer association in which at least thirty percent and no fewer than two hundred members are licensed South Carolina motor vehicle dealers. (2) If the quality assurance entity does not meet reasonable accuracy standards, the department may solicit for and select a different quality assurance provider without regard to this subsection and in accordance with the State Consolidated Procurement Code. (3) If a statewide motor vehicle dealer association in which at least thirty percent and no fewer than two hundred members are licensed South Carolina motor vehicle dealers does not respond to a solicitation to be a quality assurance entity, then this subsection does not apply. (C) The quality assurance entity shall review all required documents for all transactions for all applications of title and registration submitted by dealers in accordance with department standards. (D) The quality assurance entity shall charge a fee of ten dollars per vehicle sold by the dealer. The ten-dollar fee is an official fee and may be charged to the consumer by the dealership. The fee shall be a stand-alone line item on a dealer invoice or bill of sale and is not calculated as part of the purchase price of the vehicle. (E) The department may allow or refuse a dealership the right to issue temporary motor vehicle registrations or temporary license plates through the electronic registration and titling program should the accuracy rate of its documentation fall below ninety-five percent as determined through the quality assurance entity and reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles on a monthly basis or upon request by the department. (F) If a dealership previously is denied the privilege to issue registrations and temporary license plates, upon meeting the established criteria, the dealership may be allowed to issue registrations or license plates again. (G) The quality assurance entity shall carry a bond to ensure departmental standards and the protection of personally identifiable information remains intact. The bond amount shall be determined by the department. (H) The department is authorized to collect a transaction fee from the quality assurance entity that transmits or retrieves data from the department pursuant to this section. The fee must not exceed five dollars for each transaction. Two dollars fifty cents of each fee collected pursuant to this subsection must be credited to the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167. The other two dollars fifty cents of each fee collected pursuant to this subsection shall be retained by the Department of Motor Vehicles and earmarked in an account for the sole purpose of technology modernization. Fees in the account may be carried forward from fiscal year to fiscal year. Editor's Note 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 40(C) and (F), provide as follows: "[SECTION 40.](C)(1) SECTIONS 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 30, 31, 32, and 33 take effect eight months after the approval by the Governor, provided that necessary solicitations are awarded in a timely manner in accordance with the State Consolidated Procurement Code. "(2) Section 56-3-214(C), 56-3-214(D), 56-3-214(E), 56-3-214(F), and 56-3-214(H) take effect ten months after the effective date of SECTIONS 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12." "(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. § 56-1-2112 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2112
SECTION 56-1-2112. Offenses resulting in disqualification from operating commercial motor vehicle; time periods.
Status: in_force

(A) A driver who is convicted of operating a commercial motor vehicle in violation of a federal, state, or local law or regulation pertaining to one of the following six offenses at a railroad-highway grade crossing is disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle for the period of time specified in subsection (B): (1) for drivers who are not required to always stop, failing to slow down and check that the tracks are clear of an approaching train; (2) for drivers who are not required to always stop, failing to stop before reaching the crossing, if the tracks are not clear; (3) for drivers who are always required to stop, failing to stop before driving onto the crossing; (4) for all drivers, failing to have sufficient space to drive completely through the crossing without stopping; (5) for all drivers, failing to obey a traffic control device or the directions of an enforcement official at the crossing; (6) for all drivers, failing to negotiate a crossing because of insufficient undercarriage clearance. (B) A person is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for committing an offense contained in subsection (A) for not less than: (1) sixty days for the first conviction committed in a commercial motor vehicle; (2) one hundred twenty days for the second conviction committed in a commercial motor vehicle arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period; and (3) one year for the third or subsequent conviction committed in a commercial motor vehicle arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-310 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-310
SECTION 56-19-310. Numbering certificates issued to successive owners; two transfers when auctioneer gives title.
Status: in_force

The certificate of title issued to the first owner of a new vehicle must be designated by the letter suffix "A" after the title number. Titles issued to subsequent owners of such a vehicle must be designated "B", "C", "D", and "E" in the order of ownership. Titles issued to subsequent owners shall contain no letter suffix.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5100 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-5100
SECTION 56-5-5100. Display of warning devices when disabled vehicle is carrying inflammable liquids or gases.
Status: in_force

Whenever any vehicle used in the transportation of inflammable liquids in bulk or transporting compressed inflammable gases is disabled upon a highway at any time or place mentioned in Section 56-5-5090, the driver of such vehicle shall display upon the roadway the following lighted warning devices: One red electric lantern shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the vehicle and two other red electric lanterns shall be placed in the front and rear of the vehicle in the same manner as prescribed in Section 56-5-5090 for flares. When a vehicle of a type specified in this section is involved, the use of flares, fusees or any signal produced by flame as warning signals is prohibited.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-7650 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 71 / Section 56-3-7650
SECTION 56-3-7650. Forest product haulers decals.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue a special motor vehicle license decal to identify intrastate unmanufactured forest product haulers. A one-time fee for the issuance of this special plate is thirty dollars.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-15000 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 149 / Section 56-3-15000
SECTION 56-3-15000. License plates issued under previous award criteria not subject to revised documentation requirements.
Status: in_force

License plates first issued to registrants under previous requirements are not subject to the revised requirements that a person must meet to apply for a plate specified in this article. 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 7, substituted "requirements" for "award criteria" and "requirements that a person must meet to apply" for "award documentation requirements that a person must provide the department upon applying".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-240 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 3 / Section 56-10-240
SECTION 56-10-240. Requirement that upon loss of insurance, insured obtain new insurance or surrender registration and plates; written notice by insurer; suspension of registration and plates; enforcement; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) If, during the period for which it is licensed, a motor vehicle is or becomes an uninsured motor vehicle, then the vehicle owner immediately shall obtain insurance on the vehicle or surrender the motor vehicle license plate and registration certificate issued for the motor vehicle. (B) The Department of Motor Vehicles may not reissue a registration certificate and license plate for that vehicle until satisfactory evidence has been filed by the owner or by the insurer who gave the cancellation or refusal to renew notice to the department that the vehicle is insured. Upon receiving information to the effect that a policy is canceled or otherwise terminated on a motor vehicle registered in South Carolina, the department shall suspend the owner's driving privileges, license plate, and registration certificate and shall initiate action as required within fifteen days of the notice of cancellation to pick up the license plate and registration certificate. A person who has had his driving privileges, vehicle license plate, and registration certificate suspended by the department, but who at the time of suspension possesses liability insurance coverage sufficient to meet the financial responsibility requirements as set forth in this chapter, has the right to provide documents showing that the vehicle was actually insured during the suspension period to the department. If the department determines that the person has sufficient liability insurance coverage the suspension is voided immediately. The department shall give notice by first class mail of the cancellation or suspension of driving and registration privileges to the vehicle owner at his last known address. (C) If the vehicle owner unlawfully refuses to surrender the suspended items as required in this article, the department through its designated agents or by request to a county or municipal law enforcement agency shall take possession of the suspended license plates and registration certificates and may not reissue the registration until proper proof of liability insurance coverage is provided and until the owner has paid a reinstatement fee of two hundred dollars. A person who voluntarily surrenders his license plates and registration certificates before their suspension shall not be charged a reinstatement fee. Revenue generated by the fee imposed pursuant to this section 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. (D) A person wilfully failing to return his motor vehicle license plates and registration certificates as required in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows: (1) for a first offense fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days; (2) for a second offense fined two hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days, or both; (3) for a third and subsequent offense imprisoned for not less than forty- five days nor more than six months. (E) Only convictions which occurred within ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last conviction constitute prior convictions within the meaning of this section. Code Commissioner's Note 2002 Act No. 324, SECTION 12, provides as follows: "This act takes effect July 1, 2002; provided, however, that Section 56-10-650 and Sections 5, 6, and 9 are effective one hundred eighty days after the latter of certification by the department to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives that the program has been implemented and is fully prepared to accept data transmitted by the insurers or publication of final regulations by the department." Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 3, in (A), deleted "within five days after the effective date of cancellation or expiration of his liability insurance policy" following "insurance on the vehicle or"; and rewrote (B).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-23-95 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 23 / Section 56-23-95
SECTION 56-23-95. Driver training school financial assistance.
Status: in_force

All driver training schools licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter may offer financial assistance to students who attend public South Carolina high schools to cover the fees associated with the business of training or educating persons to drive or operate motor vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-930 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 56-5-930
SECTION 56-5-930. Placing and maintaining traffic-control devices on state highways.
Status: in_force

The Department of Transportation may place and maintain such traffic-control devices, conforming to its manual and specifications, upon all state highways as it shall deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of this chapter or to regulate, warn or guide traffic. No local authority shall place or maintain any traffic-control devices upon any state highway without having first obtained the written approval of the Department of Transportation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-2120 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2120
SECTION 56-1-2120. Driving with measurable amount of alcohol prohibited; possession of alcoholic beverage.
Status: in_force

(A) A person may not drive a commercial motor vehicle within this State while having a measurable amount of alcohol in his body. (B) A person who drives a commercial motor vehicle within this State while having a measurable amount of alcohol in his system or who refuses to submit to an alcohol test under Section 56-1-2130 must be placed out-of-service for twenty-four hours. (C) A person who drives a commercial motor vehicle in this State with an alcohol concentration of four one-hundredths of one percent or more must be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle under Section 56-1-2110. (D) A person must not be on duty or operate a commercial motor vehicle while he possesses an alcoholic beverage that is not part of the manifest and transported as part of the shipment.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-2156 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2156
SECTION 56-1-2156. Failure of commercial motor vehicle drivers to comply with lane restrictions.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a commercial motor vehicle driver may not be assessed points against his driving record for failing to comply with lane restrictions posted on the interstate highway system by the Department of Transportation. For purposes of this section, a driver record means a commercial driver's license issued pursuant to Article 13, Chapter 1 of Title 56 and a driver's license issued pursuant to Section 56-1-130 for which points are assessed in Section 56-1-720.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-7-70 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 7 / Section 56-7-70
SECTION 56-7-70. Law enforcement officer identification upon stopping a driver.
Status: in_force

When a law enforcement officer stops a driver for a violation of the motor vehicle laws, he shall present his law enforcement badge or other appropriate identification to the driver immediately upon approaching him and before questioning.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5890 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 41 / Section 56-5-5890
SECTION 56-5-5890. Property may not be willfully damaged.
Status: in_force

In removing the abandoned and derelict vehicles, the enforcing agency will do so without wilfully harming or damaging the property on which the vehicles are located.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-760 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 56-1-760
SECTION 56-1-760. Violations considered in suspension to be disregarded in subsequent suspension.
Status: in_force

When the driver's license of a person is suspended under the provisions of this article, all violations considered in such suspension shall be disregarded in so far as any subsequent suspension under this article or under the provisions of Section 56-5-2920 is concerned.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-292 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-292
SECTION 56-1-292. Suspension for failure to pay for gasoline.
Status: in_force

In addition to the grounds for suspension or revocation of a driver's license provided in this article and in Chapter 5 of this title, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the driver's license of a person upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the person has been convicted of a violation of Section 16-13-185 and that the sentencing judge has imposed a sentence which includes a suspension of the person's driver's license.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-380 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-380
SECTION 56-19-380. Procedures for voluntary transfer; issuance of new certificate.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner and mail it to the owner named in it or his legal representative.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4570 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4570
SECTION 56-5-4570. Application of succeeding sections; lighting of lamp equipment.
Status: in_force

Those sections of this chapter which follow immediately, including Sections 56-5-4580 to 56-5-4620, relating to clearance and marker lamps, reflectors and stop lights shall apply as stated in such sections to vehicles of the type therein enumerated, namely passenger buses, trucks, truck tractors and certain trailers, semitrailers and pole trailers, respectively, when operated upon any highway, and such vehicles shall be equipped as required, and all lamp equipment required shall be lighted at the times stated in Section 56-5-4450, except that clearance and side-marker lamps need not be lighted on any such vehicle when operated within any municipality where there is sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-830 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-830
SECTION 56-3-830. Postage charge.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may charge an additional fee of fifteen cents postage for every license mailed to the owner.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2710 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 21 / Section 56-5-2710
SECTION 56-5-2710. Obedience to signal indicating approach of train or other on-track equipment.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section the driver of the vehicle shall stop within fifty feet, but not less than fifteen feet, from the nearest rail of the railroad and shall not proceed until he can do so safely. The foregoing requirements shall apply when: (1) A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device gives warning of the immediate approach of a railroad train or other on-track equipment. (2) A crossing gate is lowered or when a flagman gives or continues to give a signal of the approach or passage of a railroad train or other on-track equipment. (3) A railroad train or other on-track equipment approaching within approximately one thousand, five hundred feet of the highway crossing emits a signal audible from such distance and the train, by reason of its speed or nearness to the crossing, is an immediate hazard. (4) An approaching railroad train or other on-track equipment is plainly visible and is in hazardous proximity to the crossing. (b) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. Effect of Amendment 2022 Act No. 132, SECTION 1, in (a), substituted "railroad train or other on-track equipment" for "railroad train" in four places.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-70 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 21 / Section 56-21-70
SECTION 56-21-70. Regulation of traffic and parking at State Hospital and Midlands Center; application of state laws.
Status: in_force

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations governing and controlling use of the roads, streets and parking facilities by operators of vehicles within the area and lands of the State Hospital and Midlands Center. No such rules and regulations shall be in conflict with any State law on the subject, all of such State laws being hereby declared in force and applicable to the roads, streets and parking facilities under the control and authority of the Office of Mental Health. Copies of the rules and regulations shall be filed with the administrative heads of both institutions, the Secretary of State, the Code Commissioner, the city of Columbia and the magistrate's office in Upper township in Richland County. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1020 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 6 / Section 56-3-1020
SECTION 56-3-1020. Corporation or other entity may register vehicles as fleet on annual basis; special license plates and registration cards; application and fee.
Status: in_force

A corporation or other legal entity may register its fleet on an annual basis so that the registration of all vehicles in the fleet expires in the same month instead of staggered vehicle registration. The month of expiration must be approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The department may issue special license plates and registration cards for fleet motor vehicles upon application in a manner determined by the department. The application must be approved if it contains the information necessary for qualification as a fleet motor vehicle, provides a list of all vehicles to be included in the fleet, and includes payment of a filing fee of one hundred dollars. The filing fee is in addition to the registration fees required by this chapter. The department may authorize select fleet operators to issue special license plates and registration cards for their own fleet vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14110 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 141 / Section 56-3-14110
SECTION 56-3-14110. 2016 Baseball National Champions special license plates.
Status: reserved

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue "2016 Baseball 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) Coastal Carolina 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 plate, provided that the phrase "2016 Baseball National Champions" must be utilized on the plate. (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 Coastal Carolina University pursuant to Section 56-3-3710(B), used for the purposes provided in that section. (D) License number "1" for the "2016 Baseball National Champions" license plate is reserved for the Coastal Carolina University Head Baseball Coach.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-395 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-395
SECTION 56-1-395. Driver's license reinstatement fee payment program.
Status: repealed

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall establish a driver's license reinstatement fee payment program. A person who is a South Carolina resident, is eighteen years of age or older, and has had his driver's license suspended may apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a license valid for no more than twelve months to allow time for payment of reinstatement fees. If the person has served all of his suspensions, has met all other conditions for reinstatement, and owes two hundred dollars or more of South Carolina reinstatement fees only for suspensions that are listed in subsection (E), the Department of Motor Vehicles may issue a twelve-month license upon payment of a forty-dollar administrative fee and payment of ten percent of the reinstatement fees owed. Of the forty-dollar administrative fee, the department may retain five dollars to cover the cost of operating the program. The remainder must be credited to the State Highway Fund established in Section 57-11-20. (B) During the period of the twelve-month license, the person must make periodic payments of the reinstatement fees owed. Monies paid shall be applied to suspensions in chronological order, with the oldest fees being paid first. The department may provide the person with a fee schedule that shows how much the person may pay every month to satisfy the fees that he owes in a timely manner. The department may allow a person to make payments toward the payment program online. However, the first and final payments must be paid in person at one of the department's branch offices. (C) When all fees are paid, and the department records demonstrate that the person has no other suspensions, the person is eligible to renew his regular driver's license. (D) If all fees are not paid by the end of the twelve-month period, existing suspensions shall be reactivated. (E) This subsection applies only to a person whose driver's license has been suspended pursuant to Sections 34-11-70, 56-1-170, 56-1-185, 56-1-240, 56-1-270, 56-1-290, 56-1-460(A)(1), 56-9-351, 56-9-354, 56-9-357, 56-9-430, 56-9-490, 56-9-610, 56-9-620, 56-10-225, 56-10-240, 56-10-520, 56-10-530, and 56-25-20. (F) No person may participate in the payment program more than one time in any two-year period. Once a person has participated in the payment program for a suspension, the person cannot enter into another payment program for the same suspension. If the person receives another payment program-qualifying suspension pursuant to subsection (E) while already enrolled in the payment program, the person cannot add the new suspension to the existing payment program. If a person who is currently participating in a payment plan commits a subsequent infraction for which his license is suspended for some period of time, then he may no longer participate in the payment plan for the prior offense. Editor's Note Section 56-10-270, referenced in subsection (E), was repealed by 2002 Act No. 324, SECTION 10. 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 40(A), provides as follows: "SECTION 40. (A) SECTION 1 and Section 56-1-220 take effect twelve months after the approval by the Governor." Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-760 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-760
SECTION 56-3-760. Fees for motorcycles, motorcycle three-wheel vehicles, and motor-driven cycles.
Status: in_force

For every motorcycle, motorcycle three-wheel vehicle, or moped the biennial registration fee is ten dollars. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 89, SECTION 16, substituted "moped" for "motor-driven cycle".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-11-40 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 11 / Article 1 / Section 56-11-40
SECTION 56-11-40. Examination of motor carrier books and records.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Safety, and their agents and representatives have the right at any reasonable time to examine the books and records of any motor carrier.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-425 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-425
SECTION 56-19-425. Fee for furnishing odometer reading.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall be authorized to charge a fee of three dollars for furnishing the odometer reading or other odometer information concerning a particular vehicle to a requesting party.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-140 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-140
SECTION 56-1-140. Issuance of license; necessary fees, signature, and contents; veteran designation.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars for a license that is valid for eight years, the department shall issue to every qualified applicant a driver's license as applied for by law. The license must bear on it a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee, the full name, date of birth, residence address, a brief description and unobstructed photograph of the licensee's face, any marking otherwise required or in compliance with law, and a facsimile of the signature of the licensee. No license is valid until it has been so signed by the licensee. The license authorizes the licensee to operate only those classifications of vehicles as indicated on the license. (B) An applicant for a new, renewed, or replacement driver's license may apply to the department to obtain a veteran designation on the front of his driver's license by providing a: (1) United States Department of Defense discharge certificate, also known as a DD Form 214, that shows a characterization of service, or discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions" and establishes the person's qualifying military service in the United States armed forces; (2) National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service, also known as an NGB Form 22, that shows a characterization of service, or discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions" and establishes the person's qualifying military service of at least twenty years in the National Guard; or (3) Veterans Identification Card (VIC) or a letter from a Military Reserve component notifying the recipient of the person's eligibility for retirement pay at age sixty (twenty-year letter). A Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC) may not be accepted. (C) The department may determine the appropriate form of the veteran designation on the driver's license authorized pursuant to this section. (D) The fees collected pursuant to this section must be credited to the Department of Transportation State Non-Federal Aid Highway Fund. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 6, SECTION 4, rewrote the section, revising the cost and frequency of the renewal period for a driver's license, revising the content of a driver's license, and eliminating the fee associated with the placement of a veteran designation on a driver's license. 2019 Act No. 86, SECTION 3, rewrote (B), revising the documents that must be provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a veteran designation on a driver's license, inserted the (C) identifier in the undesignated paragraph following (B), and redesignated (C) as (D). 2022 Act No. 148, SECTION 2, in (A), in the second sentence, substituted "unobstructed photograph of the licensee's face" for "laminated colored photograph of the licensee".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2550 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 19 / Section 56-5-2550
SECTION 56-5-2550. Left curb and angle parking may be permitted.
Status: in_force

The Department of Transportation with respect to state highways and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may permit parking of vehicles with the left-hand wheels adjacent to and within eighteen inches of the left-hand curb on one-way roadways and may permit angle parking on any roadway of sufficient width to permit angle parking without interfering with the free movement of traffic. But local authorities shall not permit such left-hand parking on one-way roadways nor angle parking on state highways except upon written approval of the Department of Transportation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-240 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 3 / Section 56-19-240
SECTION 56-19-240. Application for certificate; form and contents.
Status: reserved

(A) An application for a certificate of title for a vehicle in this State must be made by the owner to the Department of Motor Vehicles on the form it prescribes and must contain or be accompanied by: (1) if the owner is an individual: (a) the South Carolina residence address of the owner and mailing address, if different from residence address; (b) the full legal name as it appears on the identification provided in item (d); (c) the issuing state and number of the identification provided in item (d); (d) in order to fulfill the requirements in items (a) through (c), the owner must provide one of the following: (i) the owner's South Carolina driver's license or South Carolina identification card; (ii) the owner's home state driver's license or home state special identification card and valid active duty military identification card if the owner is a person on active military duty and is stationed in this State; (iii) the owner's home state driver's license or home state special identification card and proof of enrollment in a school in this State if the owner is a permanent resident of another state but is currently enrolled in a school in this State; or (iv) the owner's home state driver's license or home state special identification card if the owner or co-owner intends to principally garage the vehicle in this State. "Principally garage" means the vehicle is garaged for six or more months of the year on property in this State which is owned, leased, or otherwise lawfully occupied by the owner of the vehicle. The application for a certificate of title must include the South Carolina residence address of the property where the vehicle is housed; (2) if the owner is a business: (a) a social security number, if the business is a sole proprietorship with no employees or a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), if the business has employees; and (b) a South Carolina physical address of the bona fide place of business operations for the business unless the owner is a bona fide leasing company; (3) for vehicles that have more than one owner, only one co-owner must provide the information required pursuant to items (1) or (2) of this subsection; (4) an owner who would otherwise be capable of attaining a driver's license or special identification card from this State, except for a medical or physical condition that can be documented and verified by the department, shall be issued a title and registration if the owner provides a signed affidavit certifying that the owner intends to principally garage the vehicle in this State, that the vehicle will be driven by a driver who is not the owner, and if the owner provides the South Carolina address where the vehicle will be principally garaged; (5) a description of the vehicle, including, so far as the following data exists, its make, model, year, vehicle identification number, type of body, odometer reading at the time of application, and whether new or used; (6) the date of acquisition by applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired, and the names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of their priority and the dates of their security agreements; (7) an odometer disclosure statement made by the transferor of the vehicle and acknowledged by the transferee. The statement must be in compliance with federal guidelines and as prescribed by the department. Where more than one transfer has intervened between the previous certificate of title and the application for a new certificate of title, it must be shown that the certificate of title has been signed by the owner or by the owner's attorney in fact, and there must be for each intervening transfer thereafter a bill of sale in a form approved by the department, including a completed odometer disclosure statement. Additionally, the odometer disclosure statement on the application form must be completed by the applicant; (8) any further information or documentation the department reasonably requires to enable it to determine: the identity of the vehicle, whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title, the existence or nonexistence of security interests in the vehicle, and the accuracy of the odometer disclosure statement. (B) If the application is not for the first certificate of title, it shall be accompanied by the last certificate of title previously issued for the vehicle, whether issued by this State or another state or country. (C) If the application refers to a vehicle purchased from a dealer, it shall contain the name and address of any lienholder holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the sale and the date of his security agreement and be signed by the dealer as well as the owner, and the dealer promptly shall mail or deliver the application to the department. If the application refers to a new vehicle purchased from a dealer, the application also shall be accompanied by the manufacturer's certificate of origin. (D) The department will issue a title and registration only for vehicles that are physically located and primarily operated in this State. Vehicles that are purchased for primary operation in another state or a foreign jurisdiction cannot be titled and registered in South Carolina. (E) A person who knowingly gives a false statement on the application or knowingly gives a false statement concerning the odometer reading on an odometer disclosure statement is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, is subject to a fine of up to one thousand dollars or imprisonment of up to one year, or both. These penalties are in addition to the penalties provided by the federal odometer law 49 U.S.C. 32701-32711 (Title 49, Subtitle VI, Part C, Chapter 327). (F) In addition to the other information required in an application, the application for title for a mobile or manufactured home must include the address of the site on which the home is to be placed if different from the owner's address.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2936 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2936
SECTION 56-5-2936. Implementation of compulsory testimony requirement postponed; training of employees.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the State Law Enforcement Division is not required to implement the provisions of Section 56-5-2934 as contained in Section 9 of Act 390 of 2000 pertaining to the compulsory process for obtaining witnesses including, but not limited to, state employees charged with the maintenance of breath testing devices in this State and the administration of breath testing pursuant to Chapter 5 of Title 56 of the 1976 Code, until the time the General Assembly is adequately able to fund the program or by December 31, 2002, whichever first occurs. Provided, however, by December 31, 2002, the State Law Enforcement Division must have at least three state employees trained and prepared for the purpose of appearing in court and testifying on the maintenance of breath testing devices and the administration of breath testing pursuant to Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2980 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 32 / Section 56-3-2980
SECTION 56-3-2980. Applicability of other licensing provisions.
Status: in_force

If temporary license plates and registration cards are issued for a trailer or semi-trailer pursuant to this article, no other provisions of law of this State relating to temporary licensing and registration shall apply.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-220 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-220
SECTION 56-1-220. Vision screenings required for initial license; certification of minimum standards for renewal; unlawful operation of vehicle with defective vision; penalty.
Status: in_force

(A) Unless otherwise exempted, the department shall require vision screening for all persons obtaining an initial license and upon license renewal. The vision screening must be offered by the department, however, a person's screening must be waived upon the submission of a certificate of vision examination dated within the previous thirty-six months from an ophthalmologist or optometrist licensed in any state. (B) Active-duty members of the Armed Services are exempt from the requirements of this section, provided they provide the department with a Leave and Earnings Statement dated within thirty-one days of applying for or renewing their driver's license and a nonexpired military identification card. (C) The renewal license forms distributed by the department must be designed to contain a certification that the vision of the person screened meets the minimum standards required by the department or have been corrected to meet these requirements. The certification must be executed by the person conducting the screening. A Certificate of Vision Examination form must be executed by the certifying ophthalmologist or optometrist and must be transmitted to the department electronically pursuant to its electronic specifications. The minimum standards of the department shall not require a greater degree of vision than 20⁄40 corrected in one eye. Persons using bioptic lenses must adhere to the provisions contained in Section 56-1-222. (D) A person whose vision is corrected to meet the minimum standards shall have the correction noted on his driver's license by the department. (E) It is unlawful for a person whose vision requires correction in order to meet the minimum standards of the department to drive a motor vehicle in this State without the use of the correction. (F) Unless otherwise provided in this section, any person violating the provisions of this section 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. Editor's Note 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 40(A), provides as follows: "SECTION 40. (A) SECTION 1 and Section 56-1-220 take effect twelve months after the approval by the Governor." Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 6, SECTION 6, in (A), substituted "The department shall require vision screening for all persons obtaining an initial license" for "Vision screenings are required for all persons before having their licenses renewed by the Department of Motor Vehicles"; deleted former (B) and (C), relating to a certificate from an ophthalmologist or optometrist and exceptions relating to the year 2008; redesignated the remaining paragraphs accordingly; and in (B), inserted "if a screening is required", and added the fourth sentence. 2018 Act No. 220, SECTION 1, in (A), in the first sentence, inserted "and upon license renewal", and in the second sentence, substituted "must be offered by the department, however, a person's screening must" for "may"; and in (B), in the first sentence, deleted "if a screening is required" at the end, and inserted the third sentence, relating to the execution of a Certificate of Vision Examination form. 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 38, in (A), in the first sentence, substituted "Unless otherwise exempted, the" for "The", and in the second sentence, substituted "thirty-six months" for "twelve months"; and inserted (B) and redesignated former (B) to (E) as (C) to (F).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-80 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 1 / Section 56-19-80
SECTION 56-19-80. Disposition of fees and penalties.
Status: in_force

All fees and penalties collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or Chapter 21 of Title 16 shall be placed in the state general fund for the administration of this chapter and for other department purposes."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4610 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4610
SECTION 56-5-4610. Visibility of reflectors, clearance lamps, and marker lamps.
Status: in_force

Every reflector upon any vehicle referred to in Section 56-5-4580 shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be readily visible at nighttime from all distances within five hundred to fifty feet from the vehicle when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps. Reflectors required to be mounted on the sides of the vehicle shall reflect the required color of light to the sides and those mounted on the rear shall reflect a red color to the rear. Front and rear clearance lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of five hundred feet from the front and rear, respectively, of the vehicle. Side-marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the time lights are required at a distance of five hundred feet from the side of the vehicle on which mounted.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-135 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-135
SECTION 56-1-135. Designated driver for fire extinguishment, special endorsement; safety officers.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-1-130, a paid or volunteer firefighter of a lawfully and regularly organized fire department designated to drive a firefighting vehicle may have a special endorsement affixed to his driver's license which authorizes him to drive this vehicle for the purpose of carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a fire department and related activities. (B) Every political subdivision and unincorporated community operating a lawfully and regularly organized fire department of this State shall designate a law enforcement officer or the fire chief or his designee as its safety officer. The safety officer shall meet the qualifications set forth in the Department of Motor Vehicle guidelines. However, he does not have to be a full-time employee. A firefighter desiring to drive the vehicle referred to in subsection (A) shall demonstrate his ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of this vehicle to a safety officer. The fire department, including volunteer fire departments, shall submit to the Department of Motor Vehicles a list of the persons designated to drive the vehicle. (C) It is the responsibility of the agency or fire department who operates the vehicle to keep the list of designated drivers current. Changes in the list of drivers must be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles within thirty days from the change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-30 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 21 / Section 56-21-30
SECTION 56-21-30. Posting of speed limit and parking regulation signs at state institutions.
Status: in_force

Notice of speed limits and parking regulations on property of the State institutions shall be provided by the posting of conspicuous signs in places deemed appropriate.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1030 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 6 / Section 56-3-1030
SECTION 56-3-1030. Fleet registration card to be carried and made available to law enforcement officers; license plate to be displayed.
Status: in_force

Upon approval of the application for fleet registration, the director shall issue a fleet registration card and license plate for each of the qualified vehicles in the fleet. The fleet registration card must be carried in the vehicle at all times and made available to a law enforcement officer on demand. The license plate must be displayed in the manner prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-361 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-361
SECTION 56-5-361. Passenger car defined.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle except motorcycles and mopeds, designed for carrying ten passengers or less and used for the transportation of persons is a "passenger car". Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 89, SECTION 23, substituted "mopeds" for "motor-driven cycles".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-21-40 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 21 / Section 56-21-40
SECTION 56-21-40. Fines and forfeitures shall go to state institutions.
Status: in_force

All fines and bail forfeitures collected under the provisions of Sections 56-21-10 to 56-21-60 shall be deposited in the general fund of the particular State institution wherein the violation occurred.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-410 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 56-3-410
SECTION 56-3-410. Reciprocity in registration and licensing of automobile utility trailers; procedures; extension of registration.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of interstate and combined interstate and intrastate reciprocity provisions of Sections 56-3-400 to 56-3-420, automobile utility trailers shall be extended full reciprocity, provided that every person who owns automobile utility trailers within this State and who is engaged in the business of leasing such trailers for use in interstate, intrastate or combined interstate and intrastate commerce (a) registers and licenses all automobile utility trailers owned by him in the state wherein the owner actually resides and such state affords equal recognition, either in fact or in law, to such trailers licensed in this State or (b) registers and licenses in this State the average number of automobile utility trailers operated in and through this State during the licensing year. In such instances, the person shall register with the Department of Motor Vehicles the fact that he is engaged in such business and shall file data in such form and verified in such manner as shall be required by the Department, estimating the average number of automobile utility trailers he leases for operation in and through the State during the licensing year. The Department shall then determine the average number of such trailers operated in and through this State during the licensing year and such determination shall be final. Upon payment of the fee required by Section 56-3-130, the Department shall, subject to the provisions of Section 56-3-420, issue registration certificates and license plates for the average number of such automobile utility trailers as above determined and that number of trailers shall display the license plates. Thereafter, all trailers properly identified and licensed in any state, territory, province, country or the District of Columbia and belonging to such person shall be permitted to operate in this State on an interstate, intrastate or combined interstate and intrastate basis; provided, that such trailers are towed by private passenger cars duly registered and licensed in this State or in another state and legally operated in this State under the reciprocity laws of this State.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-230 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 56-3-230
SECTION 56-3-230. Application for registration and license.
Status: in_force

Every owner of a vehicle subject to registration and for which a license is required shall make application to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the registration and licensing of the vehicle upon the appropriate forms furnished by the department. Every application must bear the signature of the owner.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-75 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 56-15-75
SECTION 56-15-75. Requiring dealer to refrain from acquiring another line of new motor vehicles.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any manufacturer, distributor, factory branch, distributor branch, factory representative, or distributor representative to require, coerce, or attempt to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to refrain from participation in the management of, investment in, or acquisition of any other make or line of new motor vehicles or related products if: (1) the requirements are unreasonable considering current economic conditions and are not otherwise justified by reasonable business considerations; (2) the motor vehicle dealer has maintained a reasonable line of credit for each make or line of a new motor vehicle; and (3) the motor vehicle dealer remains in compliance with reasonable capital standards and reasonable facilities requirements specified by the manufacturer. Reasonable facilities requirements shall not include any requirement that a motor vehicle dealer establish or maintain exclusive facilities, personnel, or display space, unless the manufacturer or distributor establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that such requirements are justified by current economic conditions or reasonable business considerations.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1530 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 11 / Section 56-5-1530
SECTION 56-5-1530. Alteration of speed limits on state highway system by Department of Transportation; signs.
Status: in_force

(a) Establishing speed zones. Whenever the Department of Transportation shall determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that any maximum speed hereinbefore set forth is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist at any intersection or other place or upon any part of the state highway system, the Department of Transportation may determine and declare a reasonable and safe maximum limit thereat, which shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected. Such maximum speed limit may be declared to be effective at all times or at such times as are indicated upon such signs; and differing limits may be established for different times of day, different types of vehicles, varying weather conditions, and other factors bearing on safe speeds, which shall be effective when posted upon appropriate fixed or variable signs. (b) Setting maximum limits in state highway extensions in urban districts. The Department of Transportation shall determine the proper maximum speed for all state primary highway extensions into and through urban districts and shall declare a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit thereon which may be greater or less than the maximum speed otherwise permitted under this article for an urban district and such maximum speed limits shall be effective at all times during hours of darkness and at other times as may be determined when appropriate official signs giving notice thereof are erected upon such street or highway.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-10 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 1 / Section 56-10-10
SECTION 56-10-10. Security required on registered vehicles.
Status: in_force

Every owner of a motor vehicle required to be registered in this State shall maintain the security required by Section 56-10-20 with respect to each motor vehicle owned by him throughout the period the registration is in effect. No certificate of registration may be issued or transferred to an owner by the director of the Department of Motor Vehicles unless the owner or prospective owner produces satisfactory evidence that the security is in effect, including the name of the owner's automobile liability insurer, and his signed statement, subject to this state's perjury statutes, that insurance is in place as required by this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-160 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-160
SECTION 56-5-160. Bicycle defined.
Status: in_force

A bicycle is a device propelled solely by pedals, operated by one or more persons, and having two or more wheels, except childrens' tricycles.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1020 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 7 / Section 56-5-1020
SECTION 56-5-1020. Unauthorized signs, signals, or devices prohibited; exception; removal.
Status: in_force

No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which (a) purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic-control device or railroad sign or signal, (b) attempts to direct the movement of traffic or (c) hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic-control device or any railroad sign or signal, and no person shall place or maintain nor shall any public authority permit upon any highway any traffic sign, signal or control device bearing thereon any commercial advertisement. This provision shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs. Every such prohibited sign, signal or marking is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway may remove it or cause it to be removed without notice.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1560 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 11 / Section 56-3-1560
SECTION 56-3-1560. Article is cumulative.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article shall not affect the registration and licensing of motor vehicles as required by other provisions of this chapter, but shall be cumulative thereto.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-2025 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2025
SECTION 56-1-2025. Waiver of licensing and registration requirements of motor carriers providing humanitarian relief during time of emergency.
Status: in_force

(A) The Governor may authorize the Department of Motor Vehicles to waive temporarily any requirements under the provisions of this title relating to any permits, authorizations, or licenses required to operate a motor vehicle in this State. However, a temporary waiver must be for the sole purpose of facilitating the response of motor carriers providing humanitarian relief during a time of emergency officially declared by the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, or the chief executive of another state or jurisdiction, and must satisfy the following conditions: (1) the driver of the vehicle must be properly licensed in his jurisdiction of residency; (2) the motor vehicle must be properly licensed and registered in this or another jurisdiction; and (3) the motor vehicle satisfies all motor vehicle insurance requirements or provisions of its jurisdiction of registration. Proof of the insurance must be carried in the cab of the motor vehicle. (B) A motor vehicle operating pursuant to this section must be issued a statement from the person or entity authorizing the transport of goods or materials which certifies that the motor carrier is providing humanitarian relief without compensation on a volunteer basis and include a description of the materials or goods being transported during the time of declared emergency while it is in this State. The statement must be carried in the cab of the motor vehicle and be made available for inspection upon request of an employee of the Department of Motor Vehicles, or any law enforcement officer. (C) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall determine, at the time the temporary waiver is issued, the length of time the waiver shall be in effect. However, all temporary waivers issued pursuant to this section become void upon the termination of the time of the emergency as determined by the President of the United States, the Governor of this State, or the chief executive of another state or jurisdiction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-25-20 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 25 / Section 56-25-20
SECTION 56-25-20. Suspension of license for failure to comply with traffic citation or summons for litter violation; notification of licensing authority in compact jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

When a South Carolina court or the driver licensing authority of a compact jurisdiction notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles that a resident of South Carolina or person possessing a valid South Carolina driver's license has failed to comply with the terms of a traffic citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation issued in this or any compact jurisdiction, the department may suspend or refuse to renew the person's driver's license if the notice from a South Carolina court or the driver licensing authority of a compact jurisdiction is received no more than twelve months from the date on which the traffic citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation was issued or adjudicated. The license must remain suspended until satisfactory evidence has been furnished to the department of compliance with the terms of the citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation and any further order of the court having jurisdiction in the matter and until a reinstatement fee as provided in Section 56-1-390 is paid to the department. A person whose license is suspended under this section is not required to file proof of financial responsibility as required by the Financial Responsibility Act (Chapter 9 of Title 56) as a condition for reinstatement. Upon notification by a South Carolina court that a nonresident licensed in a compact jurisdiction has failed to comply with the terms of a traffic citation or an official Department of Natural Resources summons for a littering violation, the department shall notify the licensing authority in the compact jurisdiction for such action as appropriate under the terms of the compacts.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-730 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-730
SECTION 56-3-730. Owner shall select load capacity classification; changes.
Status: in_force

The owner of a vehicle classified under Sections 56-3-130 and 56-3-660 to 56-3-710, may register and license such vehicle for the desired load capacity classification, and a previous registration and license for a particular load capacity classification for a particular vehicle shall not be deemed as fixing the load capacity classification on such vehicle for future registrations and licenses or renewals. Also the owner may have the privilege at any time during a then current registration and license period to raise the load classification for a vehicle by making application therefor to the Department of Motor Vehicles and paying the required increased differential in fee, but the owner may not have the privilege of reducing the load classification for a particular vehicle until the expiration of the then current registration and license period.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-850 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 7 / Section 56-19-850
SECTION 56-19-850. Records of reports of stolen, converted, recovered, and unclaimed vehicles; distribution of lists.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall maintain and appropriately index cumulative public records of stolen, converted, recovered and unclaimed vehicles reported to it pursuant to this article. The Department may make and distribute weekly lists of such vehicles so reported to it to peace officers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-450 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 4 / Section 56-15-450
SECTION 56-15-450. Applicability to dealers primarily engaged in rental of motor vehicles.
Status: in_force

The provisions contained in Sections 56-15-410 and 56-15-420 shall not apply to a nonfranchised automobile dealer whose primary business objective and substantial business activity is the rental of motor vehicles, regulated by Title 56.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4090 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4090
SECTION 56-5-4090. Length of load on certain pole trailers or pole carriers; structural material.
Status: in_force

(A) The limitations regarding length of vehicles and loads stated in Sections 56-5-4070 and 56-5-4080 do not apply to a load upon a pole trailer, longwood trailer, or self-propelled pole carrier when transporting poles or logs. (B) During daylight hours only, the limitations regarding length of vehicles and loads stated in Sections 56-5-4070 and 56-5-4080 do not apply to a load upon a pole trailer, longwood trailer, or self-propelled pole carrier when transporting pipes or structural material which cannot be dismembered. (C) Between 2:00 a.m. and thirty minutes past sunset, the limitations regarding length of loads stated in Section 56-5-4080 do not apply to loads of iron, steel, and concrete articles up to sixty feet in length carried on a fifty-three foot long flat-bed trailer so long as: (1) the vehicle is traveling upon or within five miles of the South Carolina Truck Network as defined by regulation of the Department of Transportation; (2) the load does not extend more than three feet six inches beyond the front of the bed of the trailer; (3) the load does not extend more than four feet beyond the rear of the bed of the trailer; (4) a flashing amber strobe light and a red flag as required by Section 56-5-4630 are attached to any overhanging rear load; and, (5) the vehicle's headlights, taillights, and any other exterior lights are on at all times while traveling upon the highways of this State. (D) A pole, log, pipe, or other material exceeding eighty feet in length may not be transported unless a permit has been first obtained as authorized in Section 57-3-130. (E) The provisions of this section do not apply to a pole trailer or self-propelled pole carrier operated by a utility company when transporting a pole to replace a damaged one.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-16-210 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 16 / Section 56-16-210
SECTION 56-16-210. Contracts violating provisions of this chapter.
Status: in_force

Any contract or part thereof or practice thereunder in violation of any provision of this chapter is against public policy and is void and unenforceable.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1210 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 9 / Section 56-5-1210
SECTION 56-5-1210. Duties of drivers involved in accident resulting in death or personal injury; moving or removing vehicles.
Status: in_force

(A) The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or the death of a person immediately shall stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close to it as possible. He then shall return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of Section 56-5-1230. However, he may temporarily leave the scene to report the accident to the proper authorities. The stop must be made without obstructing traffic more than is necessary. A person who fails to stop or to comply with the requirements of this section is guilty of: (1) a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than one year or fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, or both, when injury results but great bodily injury or death does not result; (2) a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more than ten years and fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars when great bodily injury results; or (3) a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not less than one year nor more than twenty-five years and fined not less than ten thousand dollars nor more than twenty-five thousand dollars when death results. (B) Law enforcement officers or authorized employees of the Department of Transportation may move or have removed from the traveled way all disabled vehicles and vehicles involved in an accident and any debris caused by motor vehicle traffic collisions where it can be accomplished safely and may result in the improved safety or traffic flow upon the road; however, where a vehicle has been involved in an accident resulting in great bodily injury or death to a person, the vehicle shall not be moved until it is authorized by the investigating law enforcement officer. The State, its political subdivisions, and its officers and employees are not liable for any damages to vehicles that result from the removal unless the removal was carried out in a reckless or grossly negligent manner. The vehicle owner and any driver, or the owner's, driver's, or the at-fault party's insurance company, of a vehicle removed under this subsection, or the owner's, driver's, or the at-fault party's insurance company, shall bear all reasonable costs of removal. Nothing in this section shall bar recovery from an at-fault party when the accident was caused by the actions of that party. (C) As used in this section, "great bodily injury" means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ. (D) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall revoke the driver's license of the person convicted pursuant to this section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4960 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4960
SECTION 56-5-4960. Use of horn.
Status: in_force

The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-23-100 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 23 / Section 56-23-100
SECTION 56-23-100. Promulgation of regulations.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions contained in this chapter.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1550 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 11 / Section 56-3-1550
SECTION 56-3-1550. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person violating any of the provisions of this article or any person who (a) fraudulently gives false or fictitious information in any application for a special license plate, as authorized in this article, (b) conceals a material fact or (c) otherwise commits a fraud in any such application or in the use of any special license plate issued shall be 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. § 56-5-4080 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 33 / Section 56-5-4080
SECTION 56-5-4080. Length of loads; hydraulic boom and bucket.
Status: in_force

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this article limiting the length of vehicles and loads, the load upon any vehicle operated alone or the load upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles shall not extend more than three feet beyond the foremost part of the vehicle and the load upon any vehicle operated alone or the load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles shall not extend more than six feet beyond the rear of the bed or body of such vehicle; provided, that the hydraulic boom and bucket permanently attached to a vehicle used in the maintenance and construction of electric service lines shall not be considered as load within the meaning of this section. Provided, further, that such boom and bucket shall not extend more than eight feet beyond the foremost part of the vehicle.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-90 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 1 / Section 56-19-90
SECTION 56-19-90. Forms.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall prescribe and provide suitable forms of applications, certificates of title and all other forms requisite or deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and Chapter 21 of Title 16.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-218 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-218
SECTION 56-1-218. Driver's license extensions.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who is deployed or mobilized outside of this State, or receives orders for a permanent change of station outside of this State, or a civilian employee of the Department of Defense performing temporary duty outside of the State in support of the armed forces, whose license expires while serving outside of this State or whose license expires within ninety days from the beginning of service outside of this State, may apply for an extension on the expiration of the license. (B) The department must grant the extension if the service member, or a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, provides copies of the orders that require service outside of this State and a valid military identification card, or in the case of a civilian employee, the civilian employee's Department of Defense issued identification card, or military orders supporting services outside of the State. The extension shall expire ninety days after the member is discharged from the service or returns to this State. If the orders do not specify a return date, the service member is deemed to have returned on the date that the commanding officer of the unit provides as the return date to the department. The license is deemed to expire only upon the expiration of the extension. (C) The provisions of this section also apply to dependents residing with the service member. (D) The department may prescribe forms and policies to implement the provisions of this section. The department must post the application form on its website, and the application must be able to be processed by mail or electronically.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1590 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 11 / Section 56-5-1590
SECTION 56-5-1590. Unlawful to race or assist in racing on public roads.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful to engage in a motor vehicle race or contest for speed on any public road, street or highway in this State or to aid, abet or assist in any manner whatsoever in any such race or contest. Altering, changing, tampering with or "souping up" a motor vehicle for the purpose of racing or speeding on any public road, street or highway in this State shall be considered as aiding, abetting or assisting for the purposes of Sections 56-5-1590 to 56-5-1620.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1530 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 11 / Section 56-3-1530
SECTION 56-3-1530. Design of plates; duration.
Status: in_force

The special license plates must be of the same size and general design of regular motor vehicle license plates, upon which must be imprinted the official amateur radio call letters of the persons assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. The special plates are for biennial periods which expire twenty-four months from the month it is issued.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-125 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-125
SECTION 56-1-125. Registration with U.S. Selective Service when applying for driver's license or identification card.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon receiving proper authority from the United States Government, a United States male citizen or immigrant who is less than twenty-six years of age must be registered for the United States Selective Service when applying to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the issuance, renewal, or a duplicate copy of: (1) a driver's license; (2) a commercial driver's license; or (3) an identification card. (B) The department shall forward in an electronic format the necessary personal information required for registration of individuals identified in this section to the Selective Service System. (C) An individual's submission of an application contained in subsection (A) serves as an indication that the individual has registered with the Selective Service System or that he is authorizing the department to forward to the Selective Service System information necessary for his registration. (D) The department shall inform the individual who is at least eighteen years of age and less than twenty-six years of age, on his application, that his submission of the application for a license or identification card serves as his consent to be registered with the Selective Service System, if required by federal law. (E) The department shall inform the individual who is less than eighteen years of age, on his application, that his submission of the application for a license or identification card serves as his consent to be registered with the Selective Service System upon attaining eighteen years of age, if required by federal law. His application also must be signed by any individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7). By signing the application, the signatory authorizes the department to register the applicant with the Selective Service System upon attaining eighteen years of age, if required by federal law. The applicant or any individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7) may decline the Selective Service System registration. If the applicant or any individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7) declines the Selective Service System registration, the department may issue a license or identification card, but the applicant must renew the license or identification card upon attaining eighteen years of age. (F) This section takes effect upon the department's receipt from the federal government of the funds necessary to implement this section. Effect of Amendment 2018 Act No. 259, SECTION 2, in the second sentence, substituted "any individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7)" for "his parent or guardian"; in the third sentence, substituted "signatory" for "parent or guardian"; in the fourth sentence, substituted "any individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7)" for ", parent, or guardian"; and in the fifth sentence, substituted "any individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7)" for ", parent, or guardian".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5090 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-5090
SECTION 56-5-5090. Display of warning devices when vehicle disabled.
Status: in_force

Whenever any motor truck, passenger bus, truck tractor, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer is disabled upon the traveled portion of any highway or the shoulder thereof outside of any municipality at any time when lighted lamps are required on vehicles, the driver of such vehicle shall display the following warning devices upon the highway during the time the vehicle is so disabled on the highway, except as provided in Section 56-5-5100: (1) A lighted fusee shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the motor vehicle unless electric lanterns are displayed; and (2) Within the burning period of the fusee and as promptly as possible three lighted flares (pot torches) or three electric lanterns shall be placed on the roadway as follows: One at a distance of approximately one hundred feet in advance of the vehicle, one at a distance of approximately one hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle, each in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle, and one at the traffic side of the vehicle approximately ten feet rearward or forward thereof.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6530 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 48 / Section 56-5-6530
SECTION 56-5-6530. Exceptions.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article do not apply to: (1) a driver or occupant who possesses a written verification from a physician that he is unable to wear a safety belt for physical or medical reasons; (2) medical or rescue personnel attending to injured or sick individuals in an emergency vehicle when operating in an emergency situation as well as the injured or sick individuals; (3) school, church, or day care buses; (4) public transportation vehicles except taxis; (5) occupants of vehicles in parades; (6) United States mail carriers; (7) an occupant for which no safety belt is available because all belts are being used by other occupants; (8) a driver or occupants in a vehicle not originally equipped with safety belts.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-16-150 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 16 / Section 56-16-150
SECTION 56-16-150. Application for dealer's or wholesaler's license; bond; duty to notify department where information given by applicant changes or licensee ceases operations; death of licensee.
Status: in_force

(A) Before any license as a motorcycle "wholesaler" or "dealer" is issued to an applicant, he must file an application with the Department of Motor Vehicles and furnish the information the department may require including, but not limited to, information adequately identifying by name and address any individual who owns or controls ten percent or more of the interest in the business. The policy of this section is full disclosure. (B)(1) Each applicant for licensure as a motorcycle dealer or wholesaler must furnish a surety bond in the penal amount of twenty-five thousand dollars on a form to be prescribed by the director of the department. (2) A new bond or a proper continuation certificate must be provided to the department every twelve months during the license period. The dealer or surety, or his designee must alert the department of any bond name or address changes during the license period within thirty days of the change. Proof of the bond and the proper continuation of it may be provided to the Department of Motor Vehicles using the same database as vehicle insurance pursuant to Article 7, Chapter 10, Title 56. (3) A dealer's license expires immediately upon expiration, termination, or a decrease of a dealer's bond below twenty-five thousand dollars. (4) The bond must be given to the department and executed by the applicant, as principal, and by a corporate surety company authorized to do business in this State, as surety. The bond must be conditioned upon the applicant or licensee complying with the provisions of the statutes applicable to the license and as indemnification for any loss or damage suffered by an owner of a motorcycle, or his legal representative, by reason of any fraud practiced or fraudulent representation made in connection with the sale or transfer of a motorcycle by a licensed dealer or wholesaler or the dealer's or wholesaler's agent acting for the dealer or wholesaler or within the scope of employment of the agent or any loss or damage suffered by reason of the violation by the dealer or wholesaler or his agent, of any of the provisions of this chapter. (5) In instances of taxes or fees owed to the State that pertain solely to the process of buying, selling, titling, or registering motorcycles by a motorcycle dealer, the department has a right of action against the dealer's surety bond and may recover damages if those taxes and fees are not paid within the time period prescribed by law. The department shall distribute the taxes and fees to the appropriate entity as prescribed in state law. (a) In the event of concurrent claims for the same vehicle from the owner and the State, the owner's claim prevails. (b) This subsection does not apply to monies the motorcycle dealer has attempted to refund to a customer due to an error made by the dealer when the dealer can demonstrate that he has made an attempt by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by private delivery service which is acceptable to the Internal Revenue Service to ensure the customer's refund was delivered. For the purposes of this subsection, the dealer should make a bona fide, good faith attempt to refund money due to the customer within sixty days of the date of sale. (6) An owner or his legal representative who suffers the loss or damage has a right of action against the dealer or wholesaler and against the dealer's or wholesaler's surety upon the bond and may recover damages as provided in this chapter. A new bond or a proper continuation certificate must be delivered to the department annually before the license is renewed. However, regardless of the number of years a bond remains in effect, the aggregate liability of the surety for any and all claims is limited to fifteen thousand dollars on each bond and to the amount of the actual loss incurred. (7) The surety has the right to terminate its liability under the bond by giving the department thirty days' written notice of its intent to cancel the bond. The cancellation does not affect any liability incurred or accrued prior to the cancellation. (C) If, during any license year, there is any change in the information that a dealer or wholesaler gave the department in obtaining or retaining a license under this section, the licensee shall report the change to the department within thirty days after the change occurs on the form the department requires. (D) In the event a licensee ceases being a dealer or wholesaler, he shall, within ten days thereafter, notify the department of this fact and return to the department any license issued pursuant to this chapter and all current dealer license plates issued to the dealer or wholesaler. (E) In the event of the licensee's death, the personal representative of the deceased licensee may, with the consent of the probate court and upon an application to the department, continue the operation of the business covered by the license for the remainder of the licensing period, but no longer than eighteen months after the licensee's death. At the conclusion of the licensing period or eighteen months after the death, the personal representative must take all actions to apply for a recreational vehicle dealer license under his or her own name and meet all requirements for a licensed recreational vehicle dealer in order to continue operating the business. 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." Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 25, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-385 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 56-3-385
SECTION 56-3-385. Extension of deadline where last day for obtaining license plate or renewal sticker falls on Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
Status: in_force

When the last day of a month on which a person may obtain his biennial motor vehicle license plate or renewal sticker without penalty falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or state holiday, the person has until the end of the next working day immediately following that Saturday, Sunday, or state holiday to obtain his license plate or renewal sticker without penalty.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1830 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 13 / Section 56-5-1830
SECTION 56-5-1830. Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.
Status: in_force

Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each driver shall give to the other at least one half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway, as nearly as possible.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-570 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-570
SECTION 56-5-570. Traffic defined.
Status: in_force

Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, vehicles, streetcars and other conveyances either singly or together while using any highway for purposes of travel are "traffic."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-720 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 3 / Section 56-1-720
SECTION 56-1-720. Point system established; schedule of points for violations.
Status: repealed

There is established a point system for the evaluation of the operating record of persons to whom a license to operate motor vehicles has been granted and for the determination of the continuing qualifications of these persons for the privileges granted by the license to operate motor vehicles. The system shall have as its basic element a graduated scale of points assigning relative values to the various violations in accordance with the following schedule: Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, the item relating to improper backing is retained in the schedule of offenses; this item was inadvertently omitted in Section 5.A. of 2017 Act No. 81. Editor's Note 2025 Act No. 40, SECTION 1, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act may be referred to and cited as the 'South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act.'" 2025 Act No. 40, SECTION 4, provides as follows: "SECTION 4. At every interstate highway ingress, the Department of Transportation shall erect a sign advising motorists of this act." 2025 Act No. 40, SECTION 5, provides as follows: "SECTION 5. During the first one hundred eighty days after the effective date of this act, law enforcement officers shall only issue warnings for violations of Section 56-5-3890, as amended by this act." 2025 Act No. 40, SECTION 6, provides as follows: "SECTION 6. At the end of each fiscal year, the Department of Public Safety shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and the Chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee the age, gender, and race of every driver issued a citation, as well as every instance that a citation is not issued following a traffic stop made pursuant to this act. The data must be reported at least by statewide totals for local law enforcement agencies, state law enforcement agencies, and state university law enforcement agencies. The statewide total for local law enforcement agencies shall combine the data collected by county and the municipal law enforcement agencies." 2025 Act No. 40, SECTION 7, provides as follows: "SECTION 7. The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws." Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 81, SECTION 2, added the violations of "Endangerment of a highway worker, no injury" and "Endangerment of a highway worker, injury results" and the corresponding value of their point violations. 2017 Act No. 81, SECTION 5.A, deleted the offense of "Failing to give signal or giving improper signal for stopping, turning or suddenly decreased speed". 2025 Act No. 40, SECTION 3, added the violation of "Distracted driving (second or subsequent offense)" and the corresponding value of its point violation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-520 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 4 / Section 56-19-520
SECTION 56-19-520. Retirement of the title certificate to a manufactured home; release of lien; Satisfaction Affidavit.
Status: in_force

(A) Commencing nine months following the effective date of this article, the Department of Motor Vehicles must retire the title certificate to the manufactured home upon receipt of the following: (1) a clocked and stamped copy of the Manufactured Home Affidavit for the Retirement of Title Certificate filed with the Register of Deeds or Clerk of Court; (2) the title certificate for the manufactured home, with either a release of lien or the consent of any secured party to the retirement of the title certificate indicated in writing on the title certificate by each secured party which authorizes the department to cancel its record of any lien as if it had been released. The release of lien may be accomplished by the appropriate notation on the title certificate or by an affidavit on the form provided in this article. Any licensed attorney admitted to practice in this State who can provide proof of payment of funds by evidence of payment made payable to a secured party or other party entitled to receive payment may record or cause to be recorded an affidavit duly executed in the presence of two witnesses and probated or acknowledged which states that full balance or payoff amount of the lien or other instrument securing the payment of money and being a lien upon the manufactured home has been made and that evidence of payment from the secured party exists. This affidavit, duly recorded in the appropriate county, shall serve as notice of satisfaction of the security interest and release of the lien upon the manufactured home. The filing of the affidavit with the department shall be sufficient to satisfy, release, or discharge the lien. This item may not be construed to require an attorney to record an affidavit or to create liability for failure to file the affidavit. The licensed attorney signing the affidavit which is false is guilty of perjury in violation of Section 16-9-10 and shall be liable for damages that any person may sustain as a result of the false affidavit, including reasonable attorney's fee incurred in connection with the recovery of the damages; (3) a receipt demonstrating payment of the most recently billed property taxes for the manufactured home; and (4) payment of a fee established by the department not to exceed fifty dollars for retirement of the title certificate and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the fee collected by the department 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. (B) The affidavit referred to in subsection (A) must be as follows: The undersigned on oath, being first duly sworn, hereby certifies: (1) The undersigned is a licensed attorney admitted to practice in the State of South Carolina. (2) With respect to the security interest given by ______________________ to__________________________ and dated _____________________________: (a) [ ] that the undersigned was given written payoff information and made the payoff and is in possession of a canceled check to the secured party; or (b) [ ] that the undersigned was given written payoff information and made the payoff by wire transfer or other electronic means to the secured party and has confirmation from the undersigned's bank of the transfer to the account provided by the secured party. Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have examined this affidavit this ______ day of ___________ and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete. 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. ______________________________ Subscribed and sworn to before me this _________ day of ____________________ Notary Public for ______________________(L.S.) My commission expires:_________________ (C) Upon presentation to the department of the material required by this section, the department is directed to mark the lien on the manufactured home satisfied.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-96 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 1 / Section 56-15-96
SECTION 56-15-96. Measurement of dealership performance; burden of proof.
Status: in_force

(A) A performance standard, sales effectiveness standard, sales objective, or program for measuring dealership performance that may have a material effect on a motor vehicle dealer including, but not limited to, his right to payment under any incentive or reimbursement program, shall be fair, reasonable, equitable, based on accurate information, and uniformly applied to other similarly situated motor vehicle dealers. (B) If a motor vehicle dealer protests a new performance standard, sales effectiveness standard, sales objective, or program for measuring dealership performance, the burden of proof shall be on the manufacturer to show the action is reasonable and justifiable in light of the market conditions.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-90 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 1 / Section 56-9-90
SECTION 56-9-90. Chapter as no bar to other remedies.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as preventing the plaintiff in any action at law from relying for relief upon the other processes provided by law.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-440 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 56-9-440
SECTION 56-9-440. Suspension of driver's license or privilege and registration for nonpayment of judgment; exception when judgment creditor consents.
Status: in_force

If the judgment creditor consents in writing, in the form which the Department of Motor Vehicles may prescribe, that the judgment debtor be allowed license and registration or nonresident's operating privilege, this may be allowed by the Department for six months from the date of the consent and thereafter until the consent is revoked in writing, notwithstanding default in the payment of the judgment or any installment thereof prescribed in Section 56-9-490, if the judgment debtor furnishes proof of financial responsibility.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1330 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 7 / Section 56-1-1330
SECTION 56-1-1330. Applicant required to complete alcohol traffic safety program.
Status: in_force

The provisional driver's license provision must include a mandatory requirement that the applicant enroll in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Office of Substance Use Services and successfully complete services pursuant to the requirements specified in Section 56-5-2990. If the applicant fails to complete successfully the services as directed by the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, the Office of Substance Use Services shall notify the Department of Motor Vehicles, the provisional driver's license issued by the department must be revoked, and the suspension imposed for the full period specified in Section 56-5-2990, which shall begin on date of notification to the individual. Code Commissioner's Note At the direction of the Code Commissioner, certain references in the S.C. Code to the State Department of Mental Health, South Carolina Mental Health Commission, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Commission, Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, and other related terms were changed to reflect the restructuring of these agencies into component offices under the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, pursuant to 2025 Act No. 3, SECTION 18.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6470 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 47 / Section 56-5-6470
SECTION 56-5-6470. Enforcement after June 30, 1984.
Status: in_force

After June 30, 1984, any person violating the provisions of Article 47 of Chapter 5 of Title 56 may be, when apprehended, issued a summons, to appear in court for the violation, but no person shall at any time be placed under arrest or taken into custody for such a violation, other than upon a warrant issued for failure to appear in court in accordance with the summons or upon failure to pay a fine duly imposed by a court upon conviction.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2520 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 27 / Section 56-3-2520
SECTION 56-3-2520. Penalties.
Status: in_force

It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter unless such violation is by this chapter or other law of this State declared to be a felony. Unless another penalty is by the laws of this State provided every person convicted of a misdemeanor for violation of any provisions of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2735 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 21 / Section 56-5-2735
SECTION 56-5-2735. Obstructing intersection or grade crossing; passing near grade crossing; traffic lines when stopped at railroad crossing; vehicles in tow.
Status: in_force

(A) Notwithstanding the indication of a traffic signal to proceed, no driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk or drive onto a railroad grade crossing unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection, crosswalk, or railroad grade crossing to accommodate the vehicle the driver is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles, pedestrians, or railroad trains. (B) No vehicle shall be driven on the left side of the roadway while attempting to pass another vehicle within one hundred feet of a railroad grade crossing. (C) When stopping as required at a railroad crossing, the driver shall keep as far to the right of the highway as possible and shall not form two lanes of traffic unless the roadway is marked for two or more lanes of traffic on the driver's side of the center line of the highway. (D) A vehicle may not be driven or towed through or over a railroad grade crossing until its driver has determined that the vehicle has sufficient under carriage clearance to negotiate the railroad grade crossing.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2995 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2995
SECTION 56-5-2995. Additional assessment on persons convicted of driving under influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to the penalties imposed for a first offense violation of Section 56-5-2930 or 56-5-2933 in magistrate's or municipal court, an additional assessment of twelve dollars must be added to any punishment imposed which must be remitted to the State Treasurer who shall then distribute the twelve-dollar assessments in the manner provided in Section 14-1-201. (B) In addition to the penalties and assessments imposed for a second or subsequent violation of Section 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, or a violation of Section 56-5-2945 in general sessions court, an additional assessment of twelve dollars must be added to any punishment imposed which must be remitted to the State Treasurer who shall then distribute these twelve-dollar assessments in the manner provided in Section 14-1-201.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-530 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 5 / Section 56-15-530
SECTION 56-15-530. Buying or selling motor vehicles in name of wholesale motor vehicle auction.
Status: in_force

A wholesale motor vehicle auction is not prohibited from buying or selling motor vehicles in its own name. However, in that instance, it shall comply with the provisions of South Carolina law pertaining to reassignment and delivery of title documents and disclosures to buyers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-362 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 4 / Section 56-9-362
SECTION 56-9-362. Actions or findings of Department of Motor Vehicles and security as not constituting evidence of negligence.
Status: in_force

Neither the action taken by the Department of Motor Vehicles pursuant to this article, the findings, if any, of the Department upon which action is based nor the security filed as provided in this article shall be referred to in any way or be any evidence of the negligence of due care of either party at the trial of any action at law to recover damages.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-19-560 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 19 / Article 4 / Section 56-19-560
SECTION 56-19-560. Manufactured home treated as real property.
Status: in_force

Upon an owner of a manufactured home meeting all requirements of this article for retiring the title certificate on his manufactured home and having the manufactured home and the real property to which it is affixed classified as real property, the register of deeds or clerk of court in the county where it is located in all indexes and transactions regarding the manufactured home and the real property to which it is affixed must confer upon it the treatment required by Section 56-19-510(C) and may not in any particulars still treat the manufactured home as personal property.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-580 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 9 / Article 5 / Section 56-9-580
SECTION 56-9-580. Certificate of deposit of cash or securities as proof; amount; deposit held to satisfy judgment.
Status: in_force

Proof of financial responsibility may be evidenced by the certificate of the State Treasurer that the person named therein has deposited with him thirty-five thousand dollars in cash or securities such as may legally be purchased by savings banks or for trust funds of a market value of thirty-five thousand dollars. The State Treasurer may not accept the deposit and issue a certificate therefor and the Department of Motor Vehicles may not accept the certificate unless accompanied by evidence that there are no unsatisfied judgments of any character against the depositor in the county where the depositor resides. The deposit must be held by the State Treasurer to satisfy, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, any execution on a judgment issued against the person making the deposit for damages, including damage for care and loss of service, because of bodily injury to or death of any person or for damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use thereof, resulting from the ownership, maintenance, use, or operation of a motor vehicle after the deposit was made. Money or securities deposited are not subject to attachment or execution unless the attachment or execution arises out of a suit for damages which this chapter covers.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-670 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-670
SECTION 56-3-670. Fees for farm truck licenses; violations; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A) For the purpose of this section, "farm truck" is defined as a truck used exclusively by the owner for agricultural, horticultural, dairying, livestock, and poultry operations and includes transporting farm processed horticultural products, including soil amendments and mulches owned by the truck's owner or another person, including first market. However, farm trucks with an empty weight of less than seven thousand five hundred pounds may be used for ordinary domestic purposes and general transportation but must not be used to transport persons or property for hire. No part of this definition may be interpreted to exempt any commercial motor vehicle less than 26,001 pounds GVW/GVWR/GCW/GCWR from all or part of state laws or regulations applicable to intrastate commerce if the vehicle: (1) transports hazardous materials requiring a placard; or (2) is designed or used to transport sixteen or more people, including the driver. (B) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue to bona fide farmers special farm vehicle licenses on an annual basis for farm trucks for a fee as follows according to the gross vehicle weight of the truck: Nothing in this section exempts farm vehicles from gross weight-axle requirements contained in Section 56-5-4140. (C) A person who is issued a farm license plate for the purpose defined in this section and uses the license plate for purposes other than those defined is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2949 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 23 / Section 56-5-2949
SECTION 56-5-2949. Policies, procedures and regulations on the SLED internet website.
Status: in_force

In addition to availability under the Freedom of Information Act, any South Carolina Law Enforcement Division policy, procedure, or regulation concerning breath alcohol testing or breath site video recording which is in effect on or after July 1, 2000, must be made publicly accessible on the SLED Internet web site. A policy, procedure, or regulation may be removed from the SLED web site only after five years from the effective date of the subsequent revision.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-510 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 4 / Section 56-3-510
SECTION 56-3-510. Forms.
Status: in_force

Department of Motor Vehicles records relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles must be released only as provided in this article. A person who requests registration and licensing information must submit the request on a form provided by the department. A completed form must: (1) contain the name and address of the person making the request, the date of the request, the reason for the request, and a statement certifying that the information requested will not be used for a purpose related to telephone marketing or telephone solicitation; and (2) be signed by the person making the request.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-330 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 3 / Section 56-15-330
SECTION 56-15-330. Facilities required for issuance of dealer's license.
Status: in_force

No dealer or wholesaler may be issued or allowed to maintain a motor vehicle dealer's license unless: (1) The dealer maintains a bona fide established place of business for conducting the business of selling or exchanging motor vehicles which must be the principal business conducted from the fixed location. A bona fide established place of business for any motor vehicle dealer includes a permanent, enclosed building or structure, not excluding a permanently installed mobile home containing at least ninety-six square feet of floor space, actually occupied by the applicant and easily accessible by the public, at which a permanent business of bartering, trading, or selling of motor vehicles or displaying vehicles for bartering, trading, or selling is carried on, 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. A bona fide established place of business does not mean a residence, tent, temporary stand, or other temporary quarters. Wholesaler dealers are not required to have space to display vehicles. (2) The dealer's place of business must display a permanent sign with letters at least six inches in height, clearly readable from the nearest major avenue of traffic. The sign must clearly identify the licensed business. This subsection does not apply to wholesale dealers. (3) The dealer's place of business must have a reasonable area or lot to properly display motor vehicles. This subsection does not apply to wholesale dealers. (4) A 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 the 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 the property within sight of the bona fide place of business must display the same permanent dealership sign as the bona fide established place of business pursuant to item (2). The property adjacent to or property within sight of the bona fide place of business need not include a permanent, enclosed building or structure, but all records for business conducted on the property adjacent to or property within sight of the bona fide 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 subsection must provide on the dealer license application, the street address of the adjacent property or the property within sight and affirm that the dealer has met any local requirements to lawfully conduct business at that location. Editor's Note 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 21, in the first undesignated paragraph, inserted "or wholesaler"; in (1), deleted the former second sentence, which related to the sale of motorcycle or motor driven cycles not needing to be the principal business conducted from the fixed location, and added the fourth sentence; in (2), added the third sentence; in (3), added the second sentence; and added (4).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1240 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 9 / Section 56-3-1240
SECTION 56-3-1240. Display of license plates; motorcycles equipped with vertically mounted brackets; missing plates.
Status: in_force

(A) Unless the provisions of this section apply, license plates issued for motor vehicles must be attached to the outside rear of the vehicle, open to view. License plates must always be fastened securely in a horizontal and upright position to the vehicle for which it was issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging. (B) License plates for truck tractors and road tractors must be attached to the outside front of the vehicle provided that single-unit commercial motor vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds may have the license plate on either the outside front or rear of the vehicle. During the forty-five days, an intrastate-only large commercial motor vehicle may operate on a temporary license plate issued pursuant to Section 56-3-212, the vehicle owner may display a motorcycle-sized temporary license plate securely in the front, passenger-side windshield of the vehicle provided the unique identifying license plate text faces the exterior of the vehicle. The owner must position the temporary license plate to not obstruct the driver's view. (C) When a motorcycle is equipped with vertically mounted license plate brackets, its license plate must be mounted vertically with its top fastened along the right vertical edge. The bottom of the plate must be at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground in a place and position clearly visible as provided in Section 56-5-4530, and it must be maintained free from foreign materials and in a clearly legible condition. (D) No other license plate, lighting equipment, except as permitted in Section 56-5-4530, tag, sign, monogram, tinted cover, or inscription of metal or other material may be displayed above, or upon the plate other than that which is authorized and issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for the purpose of validating the plate. It is not unlawful to place a decal or a frame on the license plate if it does not obscure any letters or numbers. A motor vehicle owner may attach a trailer hitch to a motor vehicle provided the hitch does not obscure more than two inches of the license plate issued to the motor vehicle. It is unlawful to operate or drive a motor vehicle with the license plate missing and a person who is convicted for violating this section must be punished as provided by Section 56-3-2520. Effect of Amendment 2024 Act No. 178, SECTION 1, rewrote the section.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-15-430 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 15 / Article 4 / Section 56-15-430
SECTION 56-15-430. Applicability to franchised automobile dealers or nonfranchised dealers owned and operated by franchised dealers.
Status: in_force

The provisions contained in Sections 56-15-410 and 56-15-420 shall not apply to a franchised automobile dealer or a nonfranchised automobile dealer owned and operated by a franchised automobile dealer.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-28-100 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 28 / Section 56-28-100
SECTION 56-28-100. Repurchased vehicles not to be resold; exceptions.
Status: in_force

Any vehicle required to be repurchased by a manufacturer under this chapter or any other provision of law relating to motor vehicle warranties may not be resold, reassigned, or retransferred, either at wholesale or retail in this State, unless: (1) The manufacturer notifies the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs within thirty calendar days, in writing, of the vehicle identification number of that motor vehicle, the reason that the vehicle was repurchased, and provides a statement that all necessary repairs and adjustments have been made and that the vehicle meets acceptable operating standards. (2) The manufacturer provides a written warranty to the subsequent retail purchaser of the vehicle covering the vehicle for twelve months or twelve thousand miles. The warranty must expressly include any component related to the manufacturer's decision to repurchase the vehicle. (3) The manufacturer shall disclose to any dealer or other wholesale purchaser of the fact that the vehicle was required to be repurchased under this chapter or another provision of law relating to motor vehicle warranties.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1100 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 56-1-1100
SECTION 56-1-1100. Penalties.
Status: in_force

A person found to be an habitual offender under the provisions of this article, who subsequently is convicted of operating a motor vehicle in this State while the decision of the Department of Motor Vehicles prohibiting the operation is in effect, is guilty of a felony and must be imprisoned not more than five years. For the purpose of enforcing this section, in any case in which the accused is charged with driving a motor vehicle while his driver's license or permit is suspended or revoked or is charged with driving without a license, the department, before hearing the charges, shall determine whether the person has been adjudged an habitual offender and is barred from operating a motor vehicle on the highways of this State. If the person is found to be an habitual offender, the department shall notify the solicitor or Attorney General and he shall cause the appropriate criminal charges to be lodged against the offender.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-2115 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2115
SECTION 56-1-2115. Commercial driver's license re-examination.
Status: in_force

(A) A person who has been disqualified from driving a commercial vehicle pursuant to the provisions contained in Section 56-1-2110 for one year or more, must complete successfully the requirements contained in Section 56-1-2080 and satisfy all other requirements imposed by state or federal law before the person is eligible to be re-examined pursuant to the provisions contained in subsection (B). (B) The re-examination consists of the commercial driver license standards contained in 49 CFR of the Federal Motor Carrier Regulations which includes successful completion of the applicable knowledge tests and the complete road test which includes pre-trip inspection, basic control skills, and the on-road test.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1030 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 5 / Section 56-1-1030
SECTION 56-1-1030. Habitual offender determination; revocation of license; notice of determination and appeal.
Status: in_force

(A) When a person is convicted of one or more of the offenses listed in Section 56-1-1020(a), (b), or (c), the Department of Motor Vehicles must review its records for that person. If the department determines after review of its records that the person is an habitual offender as defined in Section 56-1-1020, the department must revoke or suspend the person's driver's license. (B) If the department determines the person is an habitual offender, the department shall give notice of its determination to the person and direct the person not to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this State and to surrender his driver's license or permit to the department. The notice must provide that a person aggrieved by the department determination may file a request for a contested case hearing with the Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings in accordance with its rules of procedure. The Office of Motor Vehicle Hearings has exclusive jurisdiction to conduct these hearings.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-29-30 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 29 / Section 56-29-30
SECTION 56-29-30. Operation of chop shop unlawful; penalty, restitution.
Status: in_force

(A) It is unlawful for a person to: (1) own, operate, or conduct a chop shop; (2) transport a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part to or from a location knowing it to be a chop shop; or (3) sell, transfer, purchase, or receive a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part either to or from a location knowing it to be a chop shop. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than ten years or fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars, or both. (B) A person who knowingly alters, counterfeits, defaces, destroys, disguises, falsifies, forges, obliterates, or knowingly removes a vehicle identification number, or causes any of the above to be done, with the intent to misrepresent the identity or prevent the identification of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not less than five thousand nor more than ten thousand dollars, or both. (C)(1) A person who buys, disposes, sells, transfers, or possesses a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, with knowledge that the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part has been altered, counterfeited, defaced, destroyed, disguised, falsified, forged, obliterated, or removed, or causes any of the above to be done, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not less than five thousand nor more than ten thousand dollars, or both. (2) The provisions of item (1) of subsection (C) do not apply to a motor vehicle scrap processor who, in the normal legal course of business and in good faith, processes a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part by crushing, compacting, or other similar methods, provided that any vehicle identification number is not removed from the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part before or during the processing. (D) A person commits an attempt when, with intent to commit a violation proscribed by subsection (A), (B), or (C) of this section, the person does any act which constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of the violation proscribed by those subsections and is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than five years or fined not less than five thousand nor more than ten thousand dollars, or both. (E) A person commits the offense of conspiring to violate the provisions of this act if he knowingly and wilfully agrees with another person to the commission of the offenses proscribed by subsection (A), (B), or (C) of this section and is guilty of a felony. Upon conviction, the person must be imprisoned not more than five years, or fined not more than five thousand dollars. (F)(1) In addition to any other punishment, a person who violates this section must be ordered to make restitution to the lawful owner of the stolen motor vehicle or the stolen motor vehicle part, or to the owner's insurer to the extent that the owner has been compensated by the insurer, and to any other person for any financial loss sustained as a result of a violation of this section. Financial loss includes, but is not limited to, loss of earnings, out-of-pocket and other expenses, repair and replacement costs, and claims payments. Lawful owner includes an innocent bona fide purchaser for value of a stolen motor vehicle or stolen motor vehicle part who does not know that the motor vehicle or part is stolen; or an insurer to the extent that the insurer has compensated a bona fide purchaser for value. (2) The court shall determine the extent and method of restitution. In an extraordinary case, the court may determine that the best interests of the victim and justice would not be served by ordering restitution. In that case, the court shall make and enter specific written findings on the record concerning the extraordinary circumstances presented which militated against restitution.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3610 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 29 / Section 56-5-3610
SECTION 56-5-3610. Rights and duties of operator of motorcycle generally.
Status: in_force

Every person operating a motorcycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the drivers of motor vehicles, except as to special regulations or other provisions of law which by their nature would not apply.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-9600 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 96 / Section 56-3-9600
SECTION 56-3-9600. "No More Homeless Pets" license plates; special fund to support local animal spaying and neutering programs; reporting requirements of Agriculture Department; requirements of entities seeking grant reimbursements.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "No More Homeless Pets" special motor vehicle license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles as defined in Section 56-3-630 registered in their names, which may have imprinted on the plate "No More Homeless Pets". 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 seventy dollars. (B)(1) Notwithstanding another provision of law, 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 of Motor Vehicles in producing and administering the special license plates. The remaining funds collected from the special motor vehicle license fee must be deposited in a special account, separate and apart from the general fund, designated for use by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture to support local animal spaying and neutering programs. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture may use up to ten percent of the fees deposited in the special account for the administration of the program. Local private nonprofit tax exempt organizations offering animal spaying and neutering programs may apply for grants from this fund to further their tax exempt purposes. (2) An agency may apply for up to two thousand dollars per grant application at the beginning of each fiscal year and may apply for multiple grants during a fiscal year. Total available grant funds shall be based on the amount of funds collected each previous fiscal year. Grants must specify how many surgeries will be performed and the species and gender of the animals undergoing surgery. Agencies may only apply for one grant at a time. Once a grant is fulfilled, an agency may apply for another grant, provided that funds are available. Grants must be fulfilled within six months of receiving funds. Once grants are completed, agencies must submit to No More Homeless Pets / South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association (SCACCA) a report identifying each person participating; the basis of eligibility for the program; whether animals are being spayed or neutered; dates of spaying or neutering and of rabies vaccines if applicable; descriptions of animals, including gender; and the appropriate amount charged toward the grant. Any unused funds must be returned. If a copay was charged to participating individuals, then that amount must also be included. The Department of Agriculture shall encourage participation from Tier 3 and Tier 4 counties. (3) SCACCA or its successor organization, on behalf of the tax exempt organizations, shall coordinate the grant program, make the request for reimbursement from the Department of Agriculture, and distribute the individual grants to the participating tax exempt organizations. (C) Before the Department of Motor Vehicles produces and distributes a 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 license plate, 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. (E) The Department of Agriculture annually shall provide an accounting and summary of this program to the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and to the Chairman of the House Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee before September first. (F) A local private nonprofit animal spaying and neutering program that requests reimbursement for services related to this program shall provide to the SCACCA the name and address of each person who brought the animal to the program. Before the Department of Agriculture may send a reimbursement to the SCACCA, the SCACCA shall provide the Department of Agriculture a list of each individual who brought a pet in for spaying or neutering and the number of animals brought in by that individual for spaying or neutering. Editor's Note 2019 Act No. 43, SECTION 10, provides as follows: "SECTION 10. The General Assembly finds it is the best practice for a shelter, public or private, to prepare and maintain records documenting the number of animals admitted to the facility and the method by which those animals exit the facility, whether by adoption, fostering, natural death, euthanasia, transfer to another state, or other means of discharge." Effect of Amendment 2019 Act No. 43, SECTION 5, in (B), inserted the (1) identifier and deleted the fifth and sixth sentences, which had provided that grants must be awarded not more than once a year, and added (2) and (3).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-390 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 3 / Section 56-3-390
SECTION 56-3-390. Penalties for fraudulent applications and misrepresentation of facts.
Status: in_force

Any person who (a) fraudulently uses or gives a false or fictitious name or address in any application required to be made under this chapter except for registration, (b) knowingly makes a false statement in any such application or (c) knowingly conceals a material fact in any such application shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction be punished as herein provided. Any person who shall operate or any owner who shall permit the operation or movement of any vehicle registered and licensed under a violation of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished as herein provided.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-490 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-490
SECTION 56-1-490. Unlawful for parent or guardian to permit unauthorized minor to drive.
Status: in_force

No person shall cause or knowingly permit his minor child or ward to drive a motor vehicle upon any highway when such minor child or ward is not authorized under this article or in violation of any of the provisions of this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3260 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 56-5-3260
SECTION 56-5-3260. Pedestrians yield to authorized emergency vehicles.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of an audible signal meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4970 and visual signals meeting the requirements of Section 56-5-4700, or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, every pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle. (b) This section shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway nor from the duty to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3410 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 27 / Section 56-5-3410
SECTION 56-5-3410. Applicability of article to bicycles.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this article are applicable to bicycles whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated in this article.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4700 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4700
SECTION 56-5-4700. Audible signal devices and signal lamps for authorized emergency vehicles, school buses and police vehicles; restrictions on use; effect of use.
Status: in_force

(A) Every authorized emergency vehicle shall, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this chapter, be equipped with a siren, exhaust whistle, or bell capable of giving an audible signal. (B) Every school bus and every authorized emergency vehicle, in addition to any other equipment and distinctive markings required by this chapter, must be equipped with signal lamps mounted as high and as widely spaced laterally as practicable, which must be capable of displaying to the front two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level and to the rear two alternately flashing red lights located at the same level, and these lights must have sufficient intensity to be visible at five hundred feet in normal sunlight. However, vehicles of a fire department or funeral home when equipped with a mounted, oscillating, rotating, or flashing red light, visible in all directions for a distance of five hundred feet in normal sunlight, are not required to have additional signal lamps. (C) All police vehicles when used as authorized emergency vehicles must be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing blue lights. In addition to the blue lights, the police vehicle may, but need not be equipped with alternately flashing red lights as herein specified, and may, but need not be equipped with oscillating, rotating, or flashing red lights, white lights, or both, in combination with the required blue lights. The authorized emergency police vehicle lights described herein must be visible for a distance of five hundred feet in all directions in normal sunlight. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or display on any vehicle any blue light that is visible from outside the vehicle except one used primarily for law enforcement purposes. (D) The alternately flashing lighting described in subsection (B) of this section shall not be used on any vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle. Provided, that a school bus may use the alternately flashing red lighting described in subsection (B), or red flashing lights in the rear and amber flashing lights in the front. (E) The use of the signal equipment described herein shall impose upon drivers of other vehicles the obligation to yield right-of-way and stop as prescribed in Sections 56-5-2360 and 56-5-2770.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-30 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-30
SECTION 56-1-30. Persons exempt from licensing requirements.
Status: in_force

The following persons are exempt from licenses under this chapter: (1) Any employee of the United States Government while operating a motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States Government and being operated on official business, unless the employee is required by the United States Government or the Federal agency by which he is employed to have a state driver's license; (2) A nonresident who is at least sixteen years of age and who has in his immediate possession a valid operator's or chauffeur's license issued to him in his home state or country may operate a motor vehicle, but a person may not claim nonresidence exemption under this provision who does not maintain a permanent residence address in the state or country of which he holds a valid and current operator's or chauffeur's license at which he regularly receives his mail and which address is on file with the motor vehicle authorities of that state or country; also, a person may not claim nonresidence exemption under this provision who for all other intents and purposes has or may remove his residence into this State; (3) Any nonresident who is at least eighteen years of age and whose home state or country does not require the licensing of operators may operate a motor vehicle for a period of not more than ninety days in any calendar year, if the motor vehicle is duly registered in the home state or country of the nonresident and a nonresident on active duty in the Armed Services of the United States who has a valid license issued by his home state and the nonresident's spouse or dependent who has a valid license issued by his home state; (4) A person operating or driving implements of husbandry temporarily drawn, propelled, or moved upon a highway. Implements of husbandry include, but are not limited to, farm machinery and farm equipment other than a passenger car. (5) Any person on active duty in the Armed Services of the United States who has in his immediate possession a valid driver's license issued in a foreign country or by the Armed Services of the United States may operate a motor vehicle in this State for a period of not more than ninety days from the date of his return to the United States; and (6) A citizen of a foreign jurisdiction whose licensing procedure is at least as strict as South Carolina's, as determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles, who is at least eighteen years of age, who is employed in South Carolina, and who has a valid driver's license issued by that jurisdiction may drive in this State for five years if the foreign jurisdiction provides a reciprocal arrangement for South Carolina residents. The provisions of this item also shall apply to the dependents of foreign nationals who qualify under this section. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 89, SECTION 2, in the introductory paragraph, substituted "chapter" for "article"; in (1), substituted "state" for "State"; and made a nonsubstantive change.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-10-640 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 10 / Article 7 / Section 56-10-640
SECTION 56-10-640. Requirement that upon loss of insurance, insured obtain new insurance or surrender registration and plates; written notice by insurer; suspension of driving privileges, license plate and registration; appeal; enforcement; penalties.
Status: in_force

(A)(1) The motorist insurance database program shall be administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Pursuant to the South Carolina Consolidated Procurement Code, the department may contract with a contractor who may provide a system of transmitting data from insurance companies. The department must solicit and receive at least two bids on the contract before awarding the contract. (2) The department shall convene a working group chaired by the director of the department or his designee for the purpose of facilitating the implementation of the program, assisting in development of regulations, and coordinating a testing phase, and necessary changes identified in this testing phase, as prescribed by the working group, and to issue recommendations based on periodic review of the database program by the working group. The working group shall consist of five representatives of the insurance industry appointed by the Director of the Department of Insurance. The working group shall also consist of the Director of the Department of Insurance, or his designee, the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles, or his designee, and any contractor. The working group shall issue a report to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Insurance twelve months after the program is implemented to evaluate the program's effectiveness in identifying uninsured motorists, and annually thereafter on or before October fifteenth of each year. The working group may issue recommendations for database enhancements. (B) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall develop, in a manner prescribed by the department, a system to allow the transmission of data from insurance companies to the department. (C) The department, with input from the Department of Insurance, and the working group shall promulgate regulations for administering and enforcing this article. The regulations shall specify the requirements that are necessary and appropriate for commercial lines of insurance, as defined in Title 38, which shall be developed with input by the Department of Insurance. (D) The department for a fee prescribed and promulgated by regulation shall make available to insurers by subscription a monthly electronic list of newly-licensed drivers. This list must not be used for marketing, solicitation, or another purpose not specifically enumerated here. It may only be used to provide an additional method to reduce the uninsured motorist population. This monthly list of newly-licensed drivers must show the: name and gender of the driver, address, date of birth, South Carolina driver's license number, and, if available, insurance information provided in the liability certification portion of the application for a driver's license. This information may be used for: (1) determining if a newly-licensed driver is insured; (2) assigning a newly-licensed driver to the proper automobile insurance policy for rating purposes; and (3) ordering a motor vehicle report on a newly-licensed driver.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3835 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 31 / Section 56-5-3835
SECTION 56-5-3835. Driving upon sidewalk.
Status: in_force

No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4600 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4600
SECTION 56-5-4600. Mounting of reflectors, clearance lamps, and side-marker lamps.
Status: in_force

Reflectors, when required pursuant to Section 56-5-4580, shall be mounted at a height not less than twenty-four inches and not higher than sixty inches above the ground on which the vehicle stands, except that if the highest part of the permanent structure of the vehicle is less than twenty-four inches the reflector at such point shall be mounted as high as that part of the permanent structure will permit. The rear reflectors on a pole trailer may be mounted on each side of the bolster or load. Any required red reflector on the rear of a vehicle may be incorporated with the tail lamp, but such reflector shall meet all the other reflector requirements of this chapter. Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such manner as to indicate its extreme width and as near the top thereof as practicable. Clearance lamps and side-marker lamps may be mounted in combination, provided illumination is given as required herein with reference to both.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-2070 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 13 / Section 56-1-2070
SECTION 56-1-2070. Driving commercial motor vehicle without valid license prohibited; exceptions; driving while license suspended, revoked, or cancelled; violations.
Status: in_force

(A) Except as provided in subsection (C) or when driving under a commercial driver instruction permit and accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver license valid for the vehicle being driven, no person may drive a commercial motor vehicle on the highways of this State, unless the person has been issued, and is in immediate possession of, a valid commercial driver license and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle which the person is driving. (B) A person operating a commercial motor vehicle as defined in Section 56-1-2030 and 49 CFR 383.5, without the proper class commercial license or permit with all applicable endorsements or restrictions as defined in Section 56-1-2100 must be placed out of service and is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction of a first offense, must be fined not less than one hundred fifty dollars and not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days and upon conviction of a second offense or subsequent offense must be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars and not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned forty-five days or both. (C) The following persons may operate commercial motor vehicles without a commercial driver license: (1) active duty military personnel; members of the military reserve; members of the South Carolina National Guard who are on active duty, including personnel on full-time South Carolina National Guard duty; personnel on part-time South Carolina National Guard training and South Carolina National Guard Military technicians required to wear uniforms; and active duty military United States Coast Guard personnel while operating vehicles owned or operated by the United States government or this State for military purposes. This exception does not apply to technicians in the United States Reserves. (2) operators of a farm vehicle which is: (a) controlled and operated by a farmer; (b) used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or a combination of them to or from a farm including the transportation of hazardous materials which do not pose a substantial danger to the public health and safety including fuels, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals used in normal farming operations as exempted pursuant to 49 C.F.R Part 173.5; (c) not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier; and (d) used within one hundred fifty miles of the person's farm. (3) persons operating authorized emergency vehicles as defined in Section 56-5-170; (4) operators of recreational vehicles used solely for personal use. (D) No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle on the highways of this State while: (1) his commercial driver license or privilege to drive is suspended, revoked, or canceled; (2) subject to a disqualification; or (3) in violation of an out-of-service order. (E) A person violating the requirements of subsection (D)(3) must be punished as follows, while all other violations of this section must be punished as though convicted of a violation of Section 56-1-460. A person is disqualified for not less than: (1) ninety days nor more than one year if the person is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service orders. Additionally, a person who is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service order is subject to a civil penalty of not less than two thousand five hundred dollars; (2) one year nor more than five years if during a ten-year period the person is convicted of two violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents. Additionally, a person who, within a ten-year period, is convicted of two violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents is subject to a civil penalty of five thousand dollars; (3) three years nor more than five years if during a ten-year period the person is convicted of three or more violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents. Additionally, a person who, within a ten-year period, is convicted of three or more violations of out-of-service orders in separate incidents is subject to a civil penalty of five thousand dollars; (4) one hundred eighty days nor more than two years if the driver is convicted of a first violation of an out-of-service orders while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101-5127), or while operating motor vehicles designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver. A driver is disqualified for a period of not less than three years nor more than five years if during a ten-year period the person is convicted of any subsequent violations of out-of-service orders, in separate incidents, while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, or while operating motor vehicles designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver. Additionally, a driver who is convicted of violating an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5101-5127), or while operating motor vehicles designed to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver, is subject to a civil penalty of two thousand five hundred dollars for a first violation and five thousand dollars for a second or subsequent violation.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-2345 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 25 / Section 56-3-2345
SECTION 56-3-2345. Antique dealer license plates.
Status: in_force

(A) Upon application being made and the required fee being paid to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the department may issue antique 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 antique 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, or a prospective purchaser of the antique motor vehicle. The use by a prospective purchaser is limited to seven days, and the dealer shall provide the prospective purchaser with a dated demonstration certificate. The certificate must be approved by the department. Antique 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 antique 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 of Title 12 and has made at least five sales of antique 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 an antique motor vehicle between the same individual or corporation more than one time is considered as only one sale. Multiple transfer of antique motor vehicles between licensed dealers for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements for antique motor vehicle dealer plates is prohibited. (B) For good cause shown, the department may issue extra plates. If a 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. (C) The cost of each plate is twenty dollars. (D) For purposes of this section, "antique motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle which is over thirty years old.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-8400 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 85 / Section 56-3-8400
SECTION 56-3-8400. Lions Club special license plates.
Status: in_force

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Lions Club" special 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. The fee for this special license plate is the regular motor vehicle license fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3 of this title which must be deposited in the state general fund and the special fee required by Section 56-3-2020 which 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 license plates issued pursuant to this section must conform to a design agreed to by the department and the chief executive officer of the organization. (B) 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 must retain the deposit; and (2) a plan to market the sale of the special license plate which must be approved by the department. (C) If the department receives less than three hundred biennial applications and renewals for a particular special license plate, 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. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 65, SECTION 4, amended the section, specifying to whom the Lions Club special license plates may be issued.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-7370 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 69 / Section 56-3-7370
SECTION 56-3-7370. Cancer Research Centers of the Carolinas special license plates.
Status: in_force

The Department of Motor Vehicles may issue "Cancer Research Centers of the Carolinas" special license plates to owners of private passenger motor vehicles registered in their names. The requirements for production and distribution of 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 fifteen dollars. Any portion of the additional fifteen-dollar fee not set aside by the Comptroller General to defray costs of production and distribution must be distributed to the Mary Crawley Medical Cancer Research Foundation to provide funding for the Cancer Research Centers of the Carolinas.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-645 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 5 / Section 56-3-645
SECTION 56-3-645. Road use fees for vehicles powered by electricity, hydrogen, and fuels other than motor fuel.
Status: in_force

(A) In addition to the registration fees imposed by this chapter, the owner of motor vehicles that are powered: (1) exclusively by electricity, hydrogen, or any fuel other than motor fuel, as defined in Section 12-28-110(39), that are not subject to motor fuel user fees imposed by Chapter 28, Title 12 shall pay a biennial road use fee of one hundred twenty dollars; and (2) by a combination of motor fuel subject to motor fuel user fees imposed by Chapter 28, Title 12 and electricity, hydrogen, or any fuel other than motor fuel that is not subject to motor fuel user fees imposed by Chapter 28, Title 12 shall pay a biennial road use fee of sixty dollars. (B) All of the fees collected pursuant to this section must be credited to the Infrastructure Maintenance Trust Fund. (C) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall collect this fee at the same time as the vehicle subject to the fee is titled or registered. Effect of Amendment 2021 Act No. 70, SECTION 2, in (C), inserted "titled or" following "subject to the fee is".
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-200 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 3 / Section 56-5-200
SECTION 56-5-200. Truck defined.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property is a "truck."
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-176 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-176
SECTION 56-1-176. Conditions for issuance of conditional driver's license and special restricted driver's license.
Status: in_force

(A) School attendance is a condition for the issuance of a conditional driver's license and a special restricted driver's license. The Department of Motor Vehicles may not issue a conditional driver's license or a special restricted driver's license to a person pursuant to Section 56-1-175 or Section 56-1-180 unless the person: (1) has a high school diploma or certificate, or a General Education Development Certificate; or (2) is enrolled in a public or private school or is home schooled under the provisions contained in Section 59-65-40, 59-65-45, or 59-65-47, and: (a) the person has conformed to the attendance laws, regulations, and policies of the school, school district, and the State Board of Education, as applicable; and (b) the person is not suspended or expelled from school. (B) Documentation of enrollment status must be presented to the department by the applicant on a form approved by the department. The documentation must indicate whether the student is in compliance with the requirements as provided in item (2).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3170 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 25 / Section 56-5-3170
SECTION 56-5-3170. Pedestrians prohibited on freeways.
Status: in_force

(A) No person as a pedestrian, unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer, shall occupy any space within the limits of the roadway and shoulder of the main facility of a freeway, except to perform public works or official duties, as a result of an emergency caused by an accident or breakdown of a motor vehicle, or to obtain assistance. The prohibitions imposed by this subsection on the use of freeways do not apply to service roads alongside the highways. (B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14970 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 149 / Section 56-3-14970
SECTION 56-3-14970. Special license plates reflective of military service.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may issue the following special license plates reflective of military service for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles to active or prior service members associated with the following military components or designations: (1) Veteran or Veteran wheelchair if the registrant qualifies for handicapped parking pursuant to Section 56-3-1910(H) (2) Female Veteran or Female Veteran wheelchair if the registrant qualifies for handicapped parking pursuant to Section 56-3-1910(H) (3) Combat-Related Disabled Veteran—the registrant must have a combat-related disability as evidenced by a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs defining a combat and operations-related disability (4) Army (5) Marine Corps (6) Navy (7) Air Force (8) Coast Guard (9) US Space Force (10) National Guard- Army (11) National Guard- Air (12) National Guard- Retired (13) US Military Reserve- Army (14) US Military Reserve- Marine Corps (15) US Military Reserve- Navy (16) US Military Reserve- Air Force (17) US Military Reserve- Coast Guard (18) US Armed Forces Retired (19) State Guard. (B) The qualifying active or prior service member 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 designation specified in subsection (A) are subject to the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56 but no 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 reflective of a branch of service must include official military documentation (a DD-214, NGB Form 22, or official orders) that the registrant is an active or prior service member of that branch of service pursuant to the requirements in Section 56-1-140(B)(1—3). The application for a special license plate reflective of a veteran's designation also must meet the specifications in Section 56-1-140(B)(1—3). (D) License plates authorized under subsection (A) are exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100. 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 2, in (A), inserted (9) and resdesignated former (9) to (18) as (10) to (19).
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1050 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 6 / Section 56-3-1050
SECTION 56-3-1050. Renewal of fleet registration; deletion of vehicle from fleet.
Status: in_force

Upon renewal of the fleet registration, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall require payment of full licensing fees for every vehicle registered in this preceding year unless the vehicle has been properly deleted from the fleet. To delete a vehicle from the fleet, the fleet registration card and the fleet license plate must be surrendered to the department. If the card or license plate is lost or stolen, the person registering the fleet shall submit a sworn statement giving the circumstances for the inability to surrender the card or license plate.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-4930 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 5 / Article 35 / Section 56-5-4930
SECTION 56-5-4930. Bumpers; warranty as to energy absorption system and ability to sustain shock; automobiles manufactured on and after August 1, 1974.
Status: in_force

Every private passenger automobile manufactured on and after August 1, 1974, sold and licensed in the State of South Carolina, shall be sold subject to the manufacturer's warranty that it is equipped with an appropriate energy absorption system and that without compromising existing standards of passenger safety, it can be driven, both front and rear, directly into a standard Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE J-850) test barrier at a speed of five miles per hour without sustaining any damage to the automobile other than minor deformation of bumper parts.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14940 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 149 / Section 56-3-14940
SECTION 56-3-14940. Special license plates reflective of a service-connected disability.
Status: in_force

(A) The department may issue the following special license plates reflective of a service-connected disability for passenger vehicles and motorcycles registered to qualifying veterans: (1) Disabled Veteran—the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation. (2) Disabled Veteran (wheelchair)—the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation. The applicant also must qualify for handicapped parking privileges as specified in Section 56-3-1910 and follow the application process prescribed by Section 56-3-1910. (3) Disabled Female Veteran—the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation. (4) Disabled Female Veteran (wheelchair)—the applicant must be considered totally and permanently disabled due to a service-connected disability as evidenced by official military documentation. The applicant also must qualify for handicapped parking privileges as specified in Section 56-3-1910 and follow the application process prescribed by Section 56-3-1910. (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) are exempt from the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. These special license plates must be issued or revalidated for a biennial period which expires twenty-four months from the month they are issued. Any registration fees collected pursuant to this section from May 6, 2022, to the effective date of this act shall be refunded by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (C) The application for a special license plate must include a letter indicating the appropriate disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. (D) License plates authorized under subsection (A) are exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100. 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 3, in (B), in the third sentence, substituted "exempt from" for "subject to" and deleted "but no additional specialty plate fee" following "Title 56", and added the fifth sentence.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-1540 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 11 / Section 56-3-1540
SECTION 56-3-1540. Transfer to another vehicle of same owner; display on unauthorized car; return on loss of radio license.
Status: in_force

Special license plates issued pursuant to this article may be transferred to another vehicle of the same weight class owned by the same person upon application being made therefor and approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It shall be unlawful for any person to whom such special license plates have been issued to knowingly permit such plates to be displayed on any vehicle except the one authorized by the Department. If the amateur radio license of a person holding a special license plate issued pursuant to this article shall be cancelled or rescinded by the Federal Communications Commission, such person shall immediately return the special license plate to the Department.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-450 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-450
SECTION 56-1-450. Penalties for unlawful operation after conviction for which suspension or revocation of license mandatory.
Status: in_force

Any person not licensed under this article or lawfully operating as a nonresident under this article, convicted of a violation for which suspension or revocation of driver's license or privilege to operate is made mandatory, who shall thereafter operate a motor vehicle in this State before such time as he obtains a driver's license from the Department of Motor Vehicles or until the Department shall find that he is properly qualified to operate as a nonresident, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars or imprisonment for thirty days, and the period of time during which the Department may not issue to him a driver's license or find that he is properly qualified to operate as a nonresident shall be extended as provided in Section 56-1-460. Such license shall not be issued nor shall such findings be made until the lapse of the period of time counting from the date of conviction during which such person's license would have been subject to suspension or revocation had he been properly licensed at the time of such offense.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-1370 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 7 / Section 56-1-1370
SECTION 56-1-1370. Second violations during specified suspended period.
Status: in_force

In the event the holder of a provisional driver's license issued pursuant to this article is convicted of a second violation under Section 56-5-2930, during the specified suspended period, the provisional driver's license shall be revoked and the full suspension imposed.
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-3-14930 — SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 3 / Article 149 / Section 56-3-14930
SECTION 56-3-14930. Special license plates reflective of exemplary service awards.
Status: reserved

(A) The department may issue the following special license plates reflective of exemplary service awards for private passenger vehicles and motorcycles to the individuals specified by the following license plate categories: (1) Gold Star Family: available to immediate family members (spouse, parent, children, or siblings) (2) Gold Star Family Personalized: available to immediate family members (spouse, parent, children, or siblings) (3) Prisoner of War: available to the award recipient and spouse (4) Purple Heart: available to the award recipient (5) Purple Heart Wheelchair: available to the award recipient. (B) The qualifying registrants are specified above in subsection (A). No more than three license plates per award type may be issued to the award recipient or qualifying family members. License plates for awards specified in subsection (A) are exempt from the regular motor vehicle registration fee contained in Article 5, Chapter 3, Title 56. 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 is the recipient of an award specified in subsection (A). (D) A person issued a license plate under the provisions of subsection (A) may park in metered or timed parking places without being subject to parking fees or fines. This section has no application to those areas or during those times in which the stopping, parking, or standing of all vehicles is prohibited or which are reserved for special types of vehicles. As a condition to this privilege, a vehicle must display a distinguishing license plate issued by the department for vehicles registered to recipients of an award specified in subsection (A). (E) License plates authorized under subsection (A) are exempt from the provisions contained in Section 56-3-8100.