reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-25. Disclosure of confidential information during transfer of power to Department of Motor Vehicles.

It is unlawful for a person to disclose any confidential information which belongs to the Department of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Division to an individual or entity that is not permitted to have access to the information during or after the transfer of the confidential information from the Motor Vehicle Division to the Department of Motor Vehicles. A person who violates a provision contained in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for not more than one year and fined not less than one thousand dollars.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 51, Section 19.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-35. Driver's license for members of the armed services and dependents.

A member of the armed services of the United States or his dependent who becomes a permanent resident of this State, has ninety days to apply for a South Carolina driver's license, and he must be issued a license without examination except for the visual test required by Section 56-1-210 if he has a valid driver's license from another state or territory of the United States. The license expires eight years from the date of issue.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 362, Section 1; 2019 Act No. 86 (H.3789), Section 1, eff November 24, 2019.
Effect of Amendment
2019 Act No. 86, Section 1, rewrote the section.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-70. Temporary driver's permit.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may, in its discretion, issue a temporary driver's permit to an applicant for a motor vehicle driver's license permitting him to operate a motor vehicle while the Department is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to such applicant's right to receive a driver's license. Such permit must be in his immediate possession while operating a motor vehicle, and it shall be invalid when the applicant's license has been issued or for good cause has been refused.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-157; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-85. REAL ID Act.

It is hereby declared to be the policy of this State:
(1) The State is committed to the continuing effort of enhancing the security, authentication, and issuance procedure standards of its drivers' licenses and identification cards and of meeting all requirements of the Federal REAL ID Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-13) and accompanying regulations.
(2) The department shall enable qualifying citizens to obtain state drivers' licenses and identification cards that are in compliance with the REAL ID Act.
(3) The department shall not provide direct access to the department's full driver's license database to any other jurisdiction.
HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 70, Section 1, eff June 13, 2007; 2017 Act No. 6 (H.3358), Section 2, eff April 5, 2017.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 6, Section 2, amended the section, adding the paragraph designators, providing that the state shall meet all the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act, and that the department of motor vehicles shall not provide direct access to its full driver's license database to any other jurisdiction.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-87. REAL ID card issuance.

(A) A person may hold only one Department of Motor Vehicles-issued credential at a time. A REAL ID card may be a driver's license or identification card, but not both.
(B) The department may issue a compliant or noncompliant card. The department may issue a REAL ID compliant credential only to a person who:
(1) presents all supporting documents required for a compliant credential; or
(2) has previously presented proper supporting documents and the department has retained copies of those documents.
(C) The department shall issue a noncompliant credential to a person who opts not to have a REAL ID card, and meets the other requirements necessary to obtain a noncompliant credential.
HISTORY: 2017 Act No. 6 (H.3358), Section 1, eff April 5, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-100. Application by unemancipated minor.

(A) The application of an unemancipated minor for a beginner's permit or driver's license must be signed in the presence of a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles employee at the time of application by:
(1) the father of the minor;
(2) the mother of the minor;
(3) the guardian of the minor;
(4) an individual who has custody, care, and control of the minor;
(5) any person set forth in subsection (C)(3) below with written approval by the Department of Social Services;
(6) any person who has been standing in loco parentis of a minor for a continuous period of not less than sixty days; or
(7) any responsible adult who is willing to assume the obligation imposed under this article and who has written permission, from a person listed in items (1)-(7) above, signed and verified before a person authorized to administer oaths.
(B) The application of an emancipated minor for a beginner's permit or driver's license must be signed in the presence of a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles employee at the time of application by a responsible adult who is willing to assume the obligation imposed under this article.
(C) If the Department of Social Services has guardianship or legal custody of a minor, the application may be signed by:
(1) the father of the minor;
(2) the mother of the minor; or
(3) the foster parent, preadoptive parent, or person responsible for the welfare of the child who resides in a childcare facility or residential group care home, upon written approval by the Department of Social Services. The disclosure of information by the Department of Social Services to the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to provide approval for the limited purpose of this code section shall not be a violation of Section 63-7-1990 or any other section of the Children's Code governing the dissemination of confidential information. The foster parent, preadoptive parent, or person responsible for the welfare of a child who resides in a childcare facility or residential group care home must obtain approval from the Department of Social Services prior to the request for an extension of a permit pursuant to Section 56-1-50.
(D) Except as set forth in subsection (C)(3) above, upon the extension of a permit pursuant to Section 56-1-50, authorization by the person who originally signed the application, under subsections (A), (B), or (C) above, is not required.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-159; 1952 Code Section 46-158; 1942 Code Section 5989; 1932 Code Section 5989; 1930 (36) 1057; 1933 (38) 214; 1949 (46) 271; 1956 (49) 1649; 1959 (51) 421; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 121G; 2017 Act No. 2 (S.198), Section 1, eff April 5, 2017.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 2, Section 1, amended the section by adding the paragraph designators, deleting the term "instruction permit", and revising the list of persons who must sign the application of an unemancipated minor.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-110. Imputed liability of person signing application for damages caused by uninsured minor.

Any negligence or wilful misconduct of a minor when driving a motor vehicle upon a highway must be imputed to the person who has signed the application of such minor for a beginner's permit, instruction permit, or driver's license, which person is jointly and severally liable with such minor for any damage caused by such negligence or wilful misconduct, except that if such minor is protected by a policy of liability insurance in the form and in the amounts as required under Chapter 9 of this title and Sections 38-77-140 through 38-77-310, then such parent or guardian or other responsible adult is not subject to the liability otherwise imposed under this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-160; 1959 (51) 421; 1987 Act No. 155, Section 17.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-120. Release from imputed liability by cancellation of permit or license.

Any person who has signed the application of a minor for a permit or license may thereafter file with the Department of Motor Vehicles a verified written request that the permit or license of such minor so granted be cancelled. Thereupon, the person who signed the application of such minor shall be relieved from the liability imposed under Section 56-1-110 by reason of having signed such application on account of any subsequent negligence or wilful misconduct of such minor in operating a motor vehicle, and the license or permit of such minor shall be cancelled by the Department.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-161; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-125. Registration with U.S. Selective Service when applying for driver's license or identification card.

(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.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 51, Section 6; 2018 Act No. 259 (H.4676), Section 2, eff November 19, 2018.
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".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-135. Designated driver for fire extinguishment, special endorsement; safety officers.

(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.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 532, Section 29; 1989 Act No. 165, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1300.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-143. Contribution to Donate Life South Carolina when obtaining or renewing driver's license.

An applicant for a new or renewal driver's license, commercial driver's license, motorcycle driver's license, identification card, issuance of a vehicle title or transfer of title, or issuance or renewal of a vehicle license plate must be given an opportunity in writing to make a voluntary contribution of five dollars, more or less, to be credited to Donate Life South Carolina established in Section 44-43-1310. Any voluntary contribution must be added to the driver's license, identification card, title, or license plate fee and must be transferred to the State Treasurer and credited to Donate Life South Carolina as provided for in Section 44-43-1310. An amount equal to the incremental cost of administration of the contribution must be paid by the trust fund from amounts received pursuant to this section to the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167 before funds are expended by the trust fund.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 262, Section 4; 2009 Act No. 42, Section 1, eff June 2, 2009; 2016 Act No. 275 (S.1258), Section 12, eff July 1, 2016.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-146. Surrender of driver's license by person convicted of certain crimes.

When a person is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a crime of violence as defined in Section 16-23-10(3) on or after July 1, 2011, in this State, the clerk of court must notify by mail, electronic mail, or facsimile the Department of Motor Vehicles within thirty days of the conviction of guilt or nolo contendere plea. The Department of Motor Vehicles must then notify the person who was convicted of the crime of violence as defined in Section 16-23-10(3) that he must surrender his driver's license or special identification card to the Department of Motor Vehicles by mail or in person, and the Department of Motor Vehicles shall issue to the person by mail or in person a driver's license or special identification card with the identifying code as referenced in Section 56-1-148. If the person convicted of a crime of violence as defined in Section 16-23-10(3) fails to surrender his driver's license or special identification card to the Department of Motor Vehicles, the driver's license or special identification card is considered canceled.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 277, Section 1, eff July 1, 2011.
Editor's Note
2010 Act No. 277, Section 7, provides:
"This act takes effect July 1, 2011, and applies to all persons convicted of a crime of violence as defined in Section 16-23-10(3)."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-171. Suspension for failure to pay child support; route-restricted license.

(A) A person whose driver's license has been suspended for failure to comply with an order for child support may obtain a special route-restricted driver's license from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The special route-restricted driver's license allows the person to only operate a motor vehicle as transportation between his home and work, or as a part of his work duties, or as transportation to a college, university, technical college, or any other institution of higher learning in which he is enrolled.
(B) If the Department of Motor Vehicles issues a special route-restricted driver's license, it shall designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the person may operate a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, or residence must be reported immediately to the Department of Motor Vehicles by the person.
(C) The fee for a special route-restricted driver's license is one hundred dollars, but no additional fee is due because of changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence. Twenty dollars of this fee must be deposited in the state general fund and eighty dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into a special restricted account to be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles to defray the expenses of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(D) The operation of a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special route-restricted driver's license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.
(E) If after six months of obtaining the special route-restricted driver's license the person is still substantially out of compliance with the order for support, the Department of Social Services shall notify the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend the special route-restricted driver's license. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the special route-restricted driver's license until the Department of Social Services notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles to withdraw the suspension.
(F) The fee for a special route-restricted driver's license must be in accordance with Section 56-1-140.
HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 46, Section 1, eff June 4, 2007.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-176. Conditions for issuance of conditional driver's license and special restricted driver's license.

(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).
HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 258, Section 4; 2002 Act No. 181, Section 3.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-185. Removal of restrictions postponed; suspension of license.

(A) A person while operating a motor vehicle under a conditional or a special restricted driver's license who is convicted of a traffic offense or involved in an accident in which he was at fault shall have the removal of the restrictions postponed for twelve months and is not eligible to be issued a regular driver's license until one year from the date of the last traffic offense or accident in which he was at fault or until he is seventeen years of age.
(B) A person while operating a motor vehicle under a beginner's permit or a conditional or a special restricted driver's license who is convicted of one or more point-assessable traffic offenses totaling six or more points, as determined by the values contained in Section 56-1-720, shall have his license suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles for six months. This suspension shall not preclude other penalties otherwise provided for the same violations.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 532, Section 1; 1998 Act No. 258, Section 11; 2002 Act No. 181, Section 5.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-187. Permitting dependent to operate motor vehicle without learner's permit or in violation of permit restrictions; civil penalties; admissibility of civil fine in private cause of action.

A parent or guardian who knowingly and wilfully permits his dependent to operate a motor vehicle in violation of a restriction imposed on a beginner's permit pursuant to Section 56-1-50, a conditional driver's license pursuant to Section 56-1-175, or a special restricted driver's license pursuant to Section 56-1-180, or knowingly permits his dependent to operate a motor vehicle without a valid beginner's permit or driver's license, must be assessed a civil fine in an amount up to five hundred dollars. Upon the magistrates or municipal court receiving notice of the dependent's violation through transmittal to the court of the traffic ticket or through other means, the court shall determine the names of the parents or guardians from the records of the Department of Motor Vehicles. The court shall then notify the dependent's parents or guardians by certified mail at the address shown on the traffic ticket, unless the department's records show a different address, of the violation and the fact that they may be subject to a civil fine. Failure to receive the notice does not prohibit the imposition of the civil fine pursuant to this section. If, while operating the motor vehicle in violation of a restriction, the dependent causes great bodily injury or death, the parent or guardian must be assessed a civil fine in an amount up to one thousand dollars. The court may suspend the imposition of the fine, conditioned upon the parent or guardian completing, to the satisfaction of the court, public service with a nonprofit organization, community service, or parenting classes. This section does not apply to a motor vehicle operated on private property. A civil fine imposed pursuant to this section does not give rise to a private cause of action based solely upon the fact that the fine was imposed. The imposition of a civil fine is not admissible for the purpose of establishing the liability of a parent or guardian in a private cause of action to which the parents or guardians are a party.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 336, Section 1, eff June 16, 2008.
Editor's Note
2008 Act No. 336, Section 1.A, provides as follows:
"This section may be cited as "Tyler's Law"."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-190. License must be carried and exhibited on demand.

A licensee shall have his license in his immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display it upon demand of an officer or agent of either the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of Public Safety or a law enforcement officer of the State. No points pursuant to Section 56-1-720 may be assessed. No points for insurance merit rating system and recoupment purposes may be assessed.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-167; 1952 Code Section 46-165; 1942 Code Section 5993; 1932 Code Section 5993; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 134, Section 1; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 36P.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-200. Duplicate for lost or destroyed license; fee.

(A) If a driver's license is lost or destroyed, the person to whom the license was issued, upon payment of a fee of ten dollars, may obtain a duplicate or substitution of it upon furnishing proof satisfactory to the Department of Motor Vehicles that the license has been lost or destroyed.
(B) Three dollars of the revenue from each fee collected pursuant to this section must be credited to the Department of Transportation State Non-Federal Aid Highway Fund based on the actual date of receipt by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(C) The balance of the revenue from each fee 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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-168; 1952 Code Section 46-169; 1942 Code Section 5995; 1933 (38) 554; 1947 (45) 74; 1959 (51) 421; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 55C; 2005 Act No. 176, Section 7, eff June 14, 2005; 2008 Act No. 353, Section 2, Pt 13E, eff July 1, 2009; 2016 Act No. 275 (S.1258), Section 15, eff July 1, 2016.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-205. Hearing impaired designations on driver's licenses.

An applicant for the issuance or renewal of a driver's license may request that a notation be placed on the license indicating that the applicant is hearing impaired.
The department shall place the notation on the driver's license if requested by the applicant and if the applicant provides an original certificate from a licensed physician, as defined in Section 40-47-5, that the applicant has a permanent, uncorrectable hearing loss of forty decibels or more in one or both ears.
This section shall apply to a driver's license issued after 2012.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 147, Section 3.A, eff April 23, 2012.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-210. Expiration of license; renewal and re-examination; persons on active military duty.

(A) A license expires eight years from the date of issue.
(B) A license is renewable on or before its expiration date upon application and the payment of the required fee.
(C) The department may renew a driver's license of a resident by mail or electronically upon payment of the required fee, if the renewal is a digitized license.
(D) For cause shown, the department may require the submission by the applicant of evidence satisfactory to the department of the applicant's mental and physical fitness to drive and his knowledge of traffic laws and regulations. If the evidence is not satisfactory to the department, the department may require an examination of the applicant as upon an original application. Parallel parking is not required as a part of the driver's test.
(E) If a person's license expires and he is unable to renew it before its expiration date because he is on active military duty outside this State for a continuous period of at least thirty days immediately before the expiration date or because he is the spouse or dependent living for a continuous period of at least thirty days immediately before the expiration date with a person on active military duty outside this State, within sixty days after returning to this State, the person may renew his license in the manner permitted by this section as though the license had not expired. The department may require proof from the person that he qualifies for renewal of his license under this paragraph. Upon request, the person shall provide the department with a copy of his military service record, a document of his branch of military service showing the date of active military duty outside the State, or other evidence presented by the person showing the dates of service.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-169; 1952 Code Section 46-166; 1942 Code Section 5994; 1932 Code Section 5994; 1930 (36) 1057; 1945 (44) 32; 1959 (51) 421; 1965 (54) 649; 1967 (55) 330; 1982 Act No. 352; 1988 Act No. 372; 1994 Act No. 487, Section 1; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 55D; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 74; 2003 Act No. 51, Section 13; 2017 Act No. 6 (H.3358), Section 5, eff April 5, 2017; 2019 Act No. 86 (H.3789), Section 4, eff November 24, 2019.
Effect of Amendment
2017 Act No. 6, Section 5, amended (A), (C), and (D), revising the expiration date of a license issued after October 1, 2017, revising the criteria that must be met by a person who seeks to have a license renewed, and making other nonsubstantive changes.
2019 Act No. 86, Section 4, in (A), substituted "expires eight years from the date of issue" for "issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2017, expires on the licensee's birth date on the eighth calendar year in which it is issued".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-215. Renewal of expired license.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a person's license expires, the person may have his license renewed without taking the road test or a written examination required pursuant to Section 56-1-130 if the person applies for his license renewal within nine months of the expiration of his license.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 51, Section 20.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-218. Driver's license extensions.

(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.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 285 (S.999), Section 1, eff June 9, 2014.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-220. Vision screenings required for initial license; certification of minimum standards for renewal; unlawful operation of vehicle with defective vision; penalty.

Section effective until May 18, 2024. See, also, Section 56-1-220 effective May 18, 2024.
(A) 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 twelve months from an ophthalmologist or optometrist licensed in any state.
(B) 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.
(C) A person whose vision is corrected to meet the minimum standards shall have the correction noted on his driver's license by the department.
(D) 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.
(E) 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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-169.1; 1965 (54) 649; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1302; 2003 Act No. 51, Section 14; 2016 Act No. 275 (S.1258), Section 16, eff July 1, 2016; 2017 Act No. 6 (H.3358), Section 6, eff April 5, 2017; 2018 Act No. 220 (H.4672), Section 1, eff October 1, 2020.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-221. Medical Advisory Board.

(A) There is created an advisory board composed of thirteen members. One member must be selected by the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control from his staff, ten members must be appointed by the South Carolina Medical Association, and two members must be appointed by the South Carolina Optometric Association. The member selected by the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control must be the administrative officer of the advisory board. To the maximum extent possible, the members of the board appointed by the South Carolina Medical Association and the South Carolina Optometric Association must be representative of the disciplines of the medical and optometric community treating the mental or physical disabilities that may affect the safe operation of motor vehicles. The identity of physicians and optometrists serving on the board, other than the administrative officer, may not be disclosed except as necessary in proceedings under Sections 56-1-370 or 56-1-410. The members of the board may receive no compensation.
(B) The board shall advise the executive director of the Department of Motor Vehicles on medical criteria and vision standards relating to the licensing of drivers.
(C) Having cause to believe that a licensed driver or applicant may not be physically or mentally qualified to be licensed, the Department of Motor Vehicles may obtain the advice of the board. The board may formulate its advice from records and reports or may cause an examination and report to be made by one or more members of the board or any other qualified person it may designate. The additional examination is at the expense of the applicant or licensed driver. The licensed driver or applicant may cause a written report to be forwarded to the board by a physician or optometrist of his choice, and it must be given consideration by the board.
(D) Members of the board and other persons making examinations are not liable for their opinions and recommendations presented pursuant to subsection (C).
(E) Reports received or made by the board or its members for the purpose of assisting the department in determining whether a person is qualified to be licensed are for the confidential use of the board and the department and may not be divulged to a person or used as evidence in a trial except that the reports may be admitted in proceedings under Sections 56-1-370 and 56-1-410, and a person conducting an examination pursuant to subsection (C) may be compelled to testify concerning his observations and findings in those proceedings.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 667.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-225. Reexamination of drivers involved in four accidents within twenty-four months.

Any person licensed to drive a motor vehicle in this State who is involved as a driver in four accidents in any twenty-four month period, which are reported to the director, may, in the discretion of the Department of Motor Vehicles, be required to take any portion of the driver's license examination deemed appropriate. Any person who has had four such accidents and fails to submit to such test within thirty days after having been notified by the department shall have his driver's license suspended until he takes and passes such test.
HISTORY: 1976 Act No. 733 Sections 1, 2; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1303; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 246A.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-230. Notification of change of address or name.

Whenever any person after applying for or receiving a driver's license shall move permanently from the address named in such application or in the license issued to him or when the name of a licensee is changed by marriage or otherwise, such person shall within ten days thereafter notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in writing of his old and new address or of such former and new name and of the number of any license then held by him.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-170; 1952 Code Section 46-168; 1942 Code Section 5988; 1932 Code Section 5988; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-240. Cancellation and surrender of license.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may cancel any driver's license upon determination that the licensee was not entitled to the issuance thereof or that the licensee failed to give the required or correct information in his application or committed any fraud in making such application and for such other causes as may be authorized by law.
Upon such cancellation the licensee must surrender the license so cancelled by the Department.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-171; 1952 Code Section 46-172; 1942 Code Section 5990; 1932 Code Section 5990; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-245. Conditions for waiver of license reinstatement fee.

If a driver's license is suspended or revoked because the licensee is determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles to have no motor vehicle liability insurance, the department shall waive the reinstatement fee imposed pursuant to Section 56-1-390 if the licensee had motor vehicle liability coverage when his license was suspended or revoked. The director shall document his reasons for waiving the fee in the records of the department.
HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 427; 1992 Act No. 443, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-250. Cancellation of license or permit upon death of person signing minor's application.

The Department of Motor Vehicles upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the death of the person who signed the application of a minor for a license or permit shall cancel such license or permit and shall not issue a new license until such time as a new application, duly signed and verified, is made as required by this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-172; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-270. Suspension, revocation, or restriction of license on re-examination.

The Department of Motor Vehicles having good cause to believe that a person holding a South Carolina driver's license is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed because of physical or mental disability may, upon written notice of at least ten days to the licensee, require him to submit to an examination. Upon the conclusion of such examination the department shall take action as may be appropriate and may suspend or revoke the license of such person or permit him to retain such license or may issue a license subject to restrictions permitted under Section 56-1-170. The license of any person may be suspended or revoked if they refuse or neglect to submit to such an examination.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-174; 1952 Code Sections 46-174 to 46-176; 1942 Code Section 5996; 1932 Code Section 5996; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1304; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 75.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-280. Mandatory suspension or revocation.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall revoke or suspend the license of any driver upon receiving a record of such driver's conviction of any offense for which revocation or suspension is required by law.
The department shall revoke the driver's license of any person upon receiving notice of the conviction of such person for:
(1) Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle; or
(2) Any felony under the laws of this State in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-175; 1952 Code Section 46-173; 1942 Code Section 5996; 1932 Code Section 5996; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 11996 Act No. 459, Section 76.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-285. Revocation or refusal to renew license for nonpayment of fees.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may revoke or refuse to renew the driving privilege of a person for failure to remit a tax or fee administered by the department. Upon payment of all taxes and fees administered by the department, and the payment of any applicable fee, the department may reinstate a person's driving privilege.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 459, Section 77.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-288. Tax refund garnishment for failure to comply with financial responsibility.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may garnish a person's income tax refund instead of revoking a person's driver's license or vehicle registration for failure to satisfy financial responsibility requirements of Title 56.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 459, Section 78.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-290. Revocation for operating unlicensed taxis in certain counties.

In addition to the grounds for suspension or revocation of license set forth elsewhere in this article and in Chapter 5 of this title, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall forthwith revoke for a period of six months the license of any person upon receiving satisfactory evidence of the conviction of any such person who has been found guilty of operating a vehicle for hire without a license in violation of Section 58-23-1210.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-176; 1954 (48) 1791; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1306; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 79.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-292. Suspension for failure to pay for gasoline.

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.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 223, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-300. Suspension or revocation of license without preliminary hearing.

In addition to other authority of law, the Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend or revoke the license of a driver without preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that licensee:
(1) Has been convicted of an offense for which mandatory revocation or suspension is required upon conviction; or
(2) Has been convicted of an offense in another state which if committed in this State would be grounds for suspension or revocation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-177; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1307; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 80.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-310. Suspension or revocation of nonresident's driving privilege.

The privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the highways of this State given to a nonresident under this article shall be subject to suspension or revocation by the Department of Motor Vehicles in like manner and for like cause as a driver's license issued under the laws of this State may be suspended or revoked.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-178; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1308; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 81.