reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-320. Suspension or revocation of resident's license or nonresident's driving privilege upon conviction in another state.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles may, in its discretion, suspend or revoke the license of any resident of this State or the privilege of a nonresident to drive a motor vehicle in this State upon receiving notice of the conviction of the person in another state of an offense therein which, if committed in this State, would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the South Carolina license.
However, if a resident of this State has his driver's license revoked or suspended for a motor vehicle violation in another jurisdiction, the department must review the revocation or suspension period for the out-of-state conviction and apply the laws of this State if the out-of-state revocation or suspension period exceeds the revocation or suspension period provided under the laws of this State for that offense. If the laws of this State are applied to an out-of-state conviction, the department must restore the person's privilege to drive in South Carolina once the person has cleared the suspension pursuant to this title, regardless of whether the person's privilege to drive has been restored in the state where the conviction occurred, provided the person is otherwise eligible for the issuance or renewal of a South Carolina license. If the laws of this State, which are applied to an out-of-state conviction, permit the issuance of a special route restricted driver's license for transportation between home and work, college, or university, the department shall permit a special route restricted license according to the requirements of this state's applicable law.
If another state restores limited or restricted driving privileges to the person whose license has been suspended or revoked, the restoration of privileges shall also be valid in this State, and the department must issue a driver's license to the person under the same terms and conditions under which driving is authorized in the state of conviction.
(B) The department may not refuse to issue or renew a driver's license to a person who:
(1) is still under suspension or revocation in another jurisdiction for an out-of-state conviction which was not reported to the department within the one-year period provided for in Section 56-1-650(C);
(2) has received notice of clearance from the jurisdiction where the revocation or suspension has terminated or that all requirements necessary for reissuance of driving privileges in that jurisdiction are met; or
(3) does not have a letter of clearance from the jurisdiction where the conviction occurred and is still under suspension or revocation in that jurisdiction for a conviction which was not reported to the department within the one-year period provided for in Section 56-1-650(C).
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-179; 1959 (51) 421; 1976 Act No. 484; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1309; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 82; 1997 Act No. 150, Section 2; 1998 Act No. 258, Section 1; 1999 Act No. 115, Section 3.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-330. Courts shall report certain convictions.

Every court having jurisdiction over offenses committed under this article or other state laws or municipal ordinances regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways shall forward to the Department of Motor Vehicles a record of the conviction of any person in such court for a violation of such laws other than regulations governing standing or parking where a matter of safety is not involved.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-180; 1952 Code Section 46-171; 1942 Code Section 5998; 1932 Code Section 5998; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1310; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 83.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-340. Reports of convictions and records may be sent to other states; fees.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may, upon receiving a record of the conviction in this State of a nonresident driver of a motor vehicle of any offense under the motor vehicle laws of this State, forward a certified copy of such record to the motor vehicle administrator in the state wherein the person so convicted is a resident. Whenever the department receives a request for a driver's record from another state, the record shall be forwarded without charge.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-181; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1311; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 84.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-345. Fees charged for Freedom of Information Act request.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may charge and collect fees in accordance with Section 30-4-30 of the Freedom of Information Act for providing copies of registration, title, and driver's license information records maintained by the department.
HISTORY: 2003 Act No. 51, Section 7.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-350. Notice of cancellation, suspension, or revocation of license; surrender of license.

In all cases of cancellation, suspension, or revocation of drivers' licenses, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall notify the licensee as prescribed in Section 56-1-360 that his license has been canceled, suspended, or revoked, and such licensee shall within ten days after notice of cancellation, suspension, or revocation return his license to the department. Any person wilfully failing to return his license as required by this section may, on conviction thereof, be fined one hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-182; 1952 Code Section 46-172; 1942 Code Section 5990; 1932 Code Section 5990; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1312; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 85.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-360. Form and proof of notice.

When notice is required concerning a person's driver's license, the notice must be given by the Department of Motor Vehicles by depositing the notice in the United States mail with postage prepaid addressed to the person at the address contained in the driver's license records of the department. The giving of notice by mail is complete ten days after the deposit of the notice. A certificate by the director of the department or his designee that the notice has been sent as required in this section is presumptive proof that the requirements as to notice of suspension have been met even if the notice has not been received by the addressee.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-183; 1952 Code Section 46-172; 1942 Code Section 5990; 1932 Code Section 5990; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1989 Act No. 169, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1313; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 86.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-370. Review of cancellation, suspension, or revocation of license.

The licensee may, within ten days after notice of suspension, cancellation, or revocation, except in cases where the suspension, cancellation, or revocation is made mandatory upon the Department of Motor Vehicles, request in writing an administrative hearing with the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Administrative Law Court and the State Administrative Procedures Act, in the judicial circuit where the licensee was arrested unless the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings and the licensee agree that the hearing may be held in another jurisdiction. The hearing must be heard by a hearing officer of the Division of Motor Vehicle Hearings. Upon the review, the hearing officer shall either rescind the department's order of suspension, cancellation, or revocation or, good cause appearing therefor, may continue, modify, or extend the suspension, cancellation, or revocation of the license. If the administrative hearing results in the continued suspension, cancellation, or revocation of the license, the term of the suspension, cancellation, or revocation of the license is deemed to commence upon the date of the administrative hearing, as long as information is transmitted electronically to the Department of Motor Vehicles on the date of the hearing, and not on the date of the notice provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-184; 1952 Code Section 46-177; 1942 Code Section 5996; 1932 Code Section 5996; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1980 Act No. 501; 1988 Act No. 616, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1315; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 88; 2006 Act No. 381, Section 4, eff June 13, 2006; 2016 Act No. 185 (H.3685), Section 5, eff January 1, 2017.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-380. Period of suspension or revocation; renewal or restoration of license.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not suspend a driver's license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways for a period of more than one year, except as otherwise permitted or authorized by law.
Any person whose license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways has been revoked shall not be entitled to have such license or privilege renewed or restored unless the revocation was for a cause which has been removed, except that after the expiration of at least one year from the date on which the revoked license was surrendered to and received by the department, or as may otherwise be provided for by law, such person may make application for a new license as provided by law, but the department shall not then issue a new license unless and until it is satisfied, after investigation of the character, habits, and driving ability of such person, that it will be safe to grant the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-185; 1952 Code Section 46-172; 1942 Code Section 5990; 1932 Code Section 5990; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1316; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 89.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-390. Fee for reinstatement of license; disposition of fee proceeds.

(1) Whenever the Department of Motor Vehicles suspends or revokes the license of a person under its lawful authority, the license remains suspended or revoked and must not be reinstated or renewed nor may another license be issued to that person until he also remits to the department a reinstatement fee of one hundred dollars for each suspension on his driving record that has not been reinstated. The reinstatement fee may be paid to the clerk of court or magistrate at the time of the verdict, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere for the offense for which the license is suspended or revoked. If the fee is paid at the time of the verdict, guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere, the clerk or magistrate shall remit the fee to the department pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 56-1-365(B). The director or his designee may waive or return the reinstatement fee if it is determined that the suspension or revocation is based upon a lack of notice being given to the department or other similar error.
(2) The fees collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles under this provision must be distributed as follows: seventy dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167, and one dollar must be credited to the "Keep South Carolina Beautiful Fund" established pursuant to Section 56-3-3950. From the "Keep South Carolina Beautiful Fund", the Department of Transportation shall expend funds necessary to employ, within the Department of Transportation, a person with training in horticulture to administer a program for beautifying the rights-of-way along state highways and roads. The remainder of the fees collected pursuant to this section must be credited to the Department of Transportation State Non-Federal Aid Highway Fund.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-185.1; 1970 (56) 1911. 1990 Act No. 596, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1317; 1994 Act No. 497, Part II, Section 86A; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 90; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, Section 104; 2001 Act No. 79, Section 2.D; 2005 Act No. 176, Section 8, eff June 14, 2005; 2016 Act No. 275 (S.1258), Section 18, eff July 1, 2016.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-395. Driver's license reinstatement fee payment program.

Section effective until May 18, 2024. See, also, Section 56-1-395 effective May 18, 2024.
(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 six 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 three 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 six-month license upon payment of a thirty-five dollar administrative fee and payment of fifteen percent of the reinstatement fees owed.
(B) During the period of the six-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.
(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 six-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, 56-1-120, 56-1-170, 56-1-185, 56-1-240, 56-1-270, 56-1-290, 56-1-460(A)(1), 56-2-2740, 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, 56-10-270, 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 three-year period.
(G) The payment program administrative fee of thirty-five dollars must be placed by the Comptroller General into the State Highway Fund as established by Section 57-11-20, to be distributed as provided in Section 11-43-167.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 273, Section 15.A, eff January 2, 2011; 2016 Act No. 275 (S.1258), Section 19, eff July 1, 2016.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-396. Driver's license suspension amnesty period.

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall establish a driver's license suspension amnesty period.
(B) The amnesty period must be for one week on an annual basis at the department's discretion.
(C) During the amnesty period, a person whose driver's license is suspended prior to the amnesty period may apply to the department to have qualifying suspensions cleared.
(D) If the person has met all conditions for reinstatement other than service of the suspension period, including payment of all applicable fees, the department must reinstate the person's driver's license.
(E) If the qualifying suspensions are cleared, but nonqualifying suspensions remain to be served, the department must recalculate the remaining suspension start dates to begin as soon as feasible.
(F) Qualifying suspensions include, and are limited to, suspensions pursuant to Sections 56-1-185, 56-1-290, 56-1-460(A)(1), and 56-10-520. Qualifying suspensions do not include suspensions pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 or 56-5-2945, and do not include suspensions pursuant to Section 56-1-460, if the person drives a motor vehicle when the person's license has been suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 56-5-2990 or 56-5-2945.
HISTORY: 2010 Act No. 273, Section 15.B, eff June 2, 2010; 2016 Act No. 154 (H.3545), Section 11, eff April 21, 2016; 2023 Act No. 51 (S.549), Section 2, eff May 18, 2023.
Editor's Note
Section 56-10-270, referenced in subsection (F), was repealed by 2002 Act No. 324, Section 10.
Effect of Amendment
2023 Act No. 51, Section 2, in (F), in the first sentence, substituted "Sections 56-1-185, 56-1-290, 56-1-460(A)(1), and 56-10-520" for "Sections 34-11-70, 56-1-120, 56-1-170, 56-1-185, 56-1-240, 56-1-270, 56-1-290, 56-1-460(A)(1), 56-2-2740, 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, 56-10-270, 56-10-520, 56-10-530, and 56-25-20".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-420. Effect of dissolution of injunction restraining suspension or revocation of license.

If any court restrains or enjoins the Department of Motor Vehicles from enforcing the suspension or revocation of any license and the suspension or revocation is finally determined to have been properly put into effect by the department, the time during which the revocation or suspension was made ineffective by the judicial order shall not be considered part of the time during which the suspension or revocation was in effect. It is the purpose of this section to ensure that the license shall be suspended or revoked for the full term of such suspension or revocation, if proper in the first place.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-188; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1320; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 93.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-430. Appeal from conviction making suspension or revocation mandatory as supersedeas.

Upon conviction of an offense making mandatory the suspension or revocation of the driver's license of the person so convicted, an appeal taken from such conviction shall act as a supersedeas so as to preclude for a period of six months from the date of conviction any such suspension or revocation.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-189; 1959 (51) 421; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 19, eff 12:00 p.m. February 10, 2009.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-440. Penalties for driving without license; summary court jurisdiction.

(A) A person who drives a motor vehicle on a public highway of this State without a driver's license in violation of Section 56-1-20 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction of a first offense, must be fined not less than fifty dollars nor more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for thirty days and, upon conviction of a second offense, be fined five hundred dollars or imprisoned for forty-five days, or both, and for a third and subsequent offense must be imprisoned for not less than forty-five days nor more than six months. However, a charge of driving a motor vehicle without a driver's license must be dismissed if the person provides proof of being a licensed driver at the time of the violation to the court on or before the date this matter is set to be disposed of by the court.
(B) The summary courts are vested with jurisdiction to hear and dispose of cases involving a violation of this section.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-191; 1952 Code Section 46-181; 1942 Code Section 1637; 1932 Code Section 1637; Cr. C. '22 Section 590; 1920 (31) 895; 1933 (38) 214; 1959 (51) 421; 1988 Act No. 532, Section 2; 1999 Act No. 100, Part II, Section 103A; 2001 Act No. 90, Section 1; 2010 Act No. 273, Section 14.A, eff June 2, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-450. Penalties for unlawful operation after conviction for which suspension or revocation of license mandatory.

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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-192; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-463. Inapplicability of penalty provision when suspension based on lack of notice of payment of fines.

Section 56-1-460 specifically does not apply if and when the proposed suspension is based solely on lack of notice being given to the Department of Motor Vehicles when the person has in fact paid any fines or penalties due to the court.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 84 Section 3; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1322; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 95.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-464. Cancellation, suspension, or revocation of license based on out-of-state violation.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-1-460, a person who drives a motor vehicle on any public highway of the State when his license is canceled, suspended, or revoked solely based on an out-of-state motor vehicle violation for which the penalty is a fine and the fine has not been paid to the out-of-state agency and when the violation is not based upon a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or a reckless driving charge may petition the magistrate's court to dismiss the state's charge of driving under suspension based upon the out-of-state violation if:
(1) the person presents to the court a satisfactory resolution of the out-of- state violation as exhibited by an official receipt from the out-of-state agency that the fine has been paid; and
(2) the person pays an assessment to the magistrate's court for a first offense of five hundred dollars; for a second offense of one thousand dollars; for a third offense of one thousand five hundred dollars; and for a fourth and subsequent offense of two thousand dollars. This assessment is not subject to an additional assessment under the provisions of Sections 14-1-207 or 14-1-208.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 22-3-540, 22-3-545, and 22-3-550, an offense punishable under this item must be tried exclusively in magistrate's court.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 348, Section 7.A.
Editor's Note
2002 Act No. 348, Section 7(B), provides as follows:
"The provisions of Section 56-1-464 as contained in this section apply to any applicable out-of-state offense committed within the last ten years before the effective date of this section, notwithstanding any other provision of this act to the contrary."
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-465. Notice of suspension required.

The licensee shall be notified of suspension under Section 56-1-460 the same as is required when the license is suspended due to loss of points as provided in Section 56-1-810.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 84 Section 4.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-470. Unlawful to operate vehicle under foreign license while license is suspended or revoked.

Any resident or nonresident whose operator's or chauffeur's license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this State has been suspended or revoked as provided in this article or other laws of this State shall not operate a motor vehicle in this State under a license, permit or registration certificate issued by any other state or otherwise during such suspension or after such revocation until a new license is obtained when and as permitted under this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-192.2; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-475. Driver permitted to drive in State with valid out-of-state license after expiration of state period of suspension.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-1-400 of the 1976 Code, a person whose driver's license has been suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles who has moved his residence to another state and has obtained a valid driver's license in such state may lawfully operate a motor vehicle within this State after the expiration of the period of time for which his South Carolina driver's license was suspended.
HISTORY: 1976 Act No. 563; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1323; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 96.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-478. Reciprocal agreements for collection of fines, fees, and other costs.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states and political subdivisions for the collection of fines, fees, or other costs which resulted in the revocation of a person's driving privileges of a person applying for a driver's license or renewing a driver's license in this State.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 459, Section 97.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-480. Unlawful to permit unauthorized person to drive.

No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control to be driven upon any highway by any person who is not authorized to do so by this article or in violation of any of the provisions of this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-192.3; 1952 Code Sections 46-184, 46-185; 1942 Code Sections 1637, 5997-1; 1932 Code Section 1637; Cr. C. '22 Section 590; 1920 (31) 895; 1933 (38) 214; 1953 (48) 246; 1956 (49) 1648; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-490. Unlawful for parent or guardian to permit unauthorized minor to drive.

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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-192.4; 1952 Code Sections 46-182, 46-183; 1942 Code Sections 5997, 5997-1; 1932 Code Section 5997; 1930 (36) 1057; 1933 (38) 214; 1953 (48) 246; 1956 (49) 1648; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-500. Penalties for violations of article.

It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this article unless such violation is by this article 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 article 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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-192.5; 1952 Code Section 46-186; 1942 Code Section 6009; 1932 Code Section 6009; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-510. Unlawful use of license; fraudulent application.

It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than thirty days for a first offense and not more than five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than six months for a second or subsequent offense for any person:
(1) to display or cause or permit to be displayed or have in his possession any canceled, revoked, suspended, or fraudulently altered driver's license or personal identification card;
(2) to lend his driver's or personal identification card to any other person or knowingly permit the use of it by another;
(3) to display or represent as one's own driver's license or personal identification card any driver's license acquired in violation of this section;
(4) to fail or refuse to surrender to the Department of Motor Vehicles upon lawful demand any driver's license which has been suspended, canceled, or revoked;
(5) to use a false or fictitious name in any application for a driver's license or personal identification card or knowingly make a false statement or to knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application;
(6) to permit any unlawful use of a driver's license or personal identification card issued to him; or
(7) to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by this article.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-190; 1959 (51) 421; 1986 Act No. 526, Section 3; 1988 Act No. 559, Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1324; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 98.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-515. Unlawful alteration of license; sale or issuance of fictitious license; use of another's license or other false documentation to defraud or violate law; violations and penalties.

(1) It is unlawful for any person to alter a motor vehicle driver's license so as to provide false information on the license or to sell or issue a fictitious driver's license.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to use a motor vehicle driver's license not issued to the person, an altered motor vehicle driver's license, an identification card containing false information, or an identification card not issued to the person to defraud another or violate the law.
(3) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction must be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
(4) Any person violating the provisions of subsection (2) 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: 1986 Act No. 526, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-540. Files, records, and indexes to be kept.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall:
(1) File every application for a license received by it and shall maintain suitable indexes containing, in alphabetical order:
(a) all applications denied and on each thereof note of the reasons for such denial;
(b) all applications granted; and
(c) the name of every licensee whose license has been canceled, suspended or revoked by the department and after each such name a note of the reasons for such action; and
(2) The department shall file all accident reports and abstracts of court records of convictions received by it under the laws of this State and, in connection therewith, maintain convenient records or make suitable notations in order that an individual record of each licensee showing the convictions of such licensee and the traffic accidents in which he has been involved shall be readily ascertainable and available for the consideration of the department upon application for renewal of license and at other suitable times.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-192.8; 1952 Code Section 46-170; 1942 Code Section 5991; 1932 Code Section 5991; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1327; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 99.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-550. Fee for expediting request for copy of document or record.

The Department of Motor Vehicles may collect a fee not to exceed twenty dollars per document to expedite a request for copies of documents and records it maintains. This fee is in addition to the normal fees associated with the request. Expedited requests must be available within seventy-two hours of receipt of the request and standard requests within thirty days. Nothing in this section may be construed as circumventing the requirements of Section 30-4-30 of the Freedom of Information Act. The funds collected 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.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 353, Section 2, Pt 13A.1, eff July 1, 2008; 2016 Act No. 275 (S.1258), Section 22, eff July 1, 2016.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-620. Legislative findings and policy.

(A) The General Assembly and the states that are party to the compact find that:
(1) the safety of their streets and highways is materially affected by the degree of compliance with state laws and local ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles;
(2) the violation of a law or ordinance is evidence that the violator engages in conduct which is likely to endanger the safety of persons and property;
(3) the continuance in force of a license to drive is predicated upon compliance with laws and ordinances relating to the operation of motor vehicles in whichever jurisdiction the vehicle is operated.
(B) It is the policy of the General Assembly and of each of the party states to:
(1) promote compliance with the laws, ordinances, and administrative regulations relating to the operation of motor vehicles by their operators in each of the jurisdictions where the operators drive motor vehicles;
(2) make the reciprocal recognition of licenses to drive and eligibility therefor more just and equitable by considering the overall compliance as a condition precedent to the continuance or issuance of any license by reason of which the licensee is authorized to operate a motor vehicle in any of the party states.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-630. Definitions.

As used in this article:
(1) "Party state" means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(2) "Home state" means the state which has issued and has the power to suspend or revoke the use of the license or permit to operate a motor vehicle.
(3) "Conviction" means a conviction of any offense related to the use or operation of a motor vehicle which is prohibited by state law, municipal ordinance, or administrative regulation, or a forfeiture of bail, bond, or other security deposited to secure appearance by a person charged with having committed any of these offenses, and which conviction or forfeiture is required to be reported to the licensing authority.
(4) "Licensing authority" for purposes of South Carolina shall mean the Department of Motor Vehicles.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1329.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-640. Reciprocity in reporting convictions; information to be reported.

The Department of Motor Vehicles shall report each conviction of a person from another party jurisdiction, Canada, or Mexico occurring within South Carolina to the licensing authority of the home jurisdiction of the licensee. The report shall clearly identify the person convicted, describe the violation specifying the section of the statute or ordinance violated, identify the court in which action was taken, indicate whether a plea of guilty or not guilty was entered or the conviction was a result of the forfeiture of bail, bond, or other security, and include any special findings.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 101; 2010 Act No. 216, Section 2, eff June 7, 2010.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-650. Effect of certain convictions on status of license in home state.

(A) A state that is a member of the Drivers License Compact shall report to another member state of the compact a conviction for any of the following:
(1) manslaughter or homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle as provided by Sections 56-1-280 and 56-5-2910;
(2) driving a motor vehicle while under the influence, as provided by Section 56-5-2930;
(3) any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used, as provided by Section 56-1-280;
(4) failure to stop and render aid in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another, as provided by Section 56-5-1210.
(B) If the laws of a member state do not describe the violations listed in subsection (A) in precisely the words used in that subsection, the member state shall construe the descriptions to apply to offenses of the member state that are substantially similar to the ones described. A state that is a member of the Drivers License Compact shall report to another member state of the compact a conviction for any other offense or any other information concerning convictions that the member states agree to report.
(C) For a conviction required to be reported under subsection (A), a member state shall give the same effect to the report as if the conviction had occurred in that state. For a conviction that is not required to be reported under subsection (A), the provisions of Section 56-1-320 shall govern the effect of the reported conviction in this State. For a conviction that is not required to be reported under subsection (A), notice of the conviction must be received by the Department of Motor Vehicles for purposes of suspension or revocation within one year of the date of conviction.
The department shall not post to an individual's driver's record any conviction that is not received by the department within the one-year period for offenses governed by this subsection. For purposes of this title, this means all convictions which occurred after June 4, 1995, which are not required to be reported pursuant to subsection (A). The department may not refuse to issue or renew a resident's driver's license when the individual's privilege to drive is suspended or revoked for an out-of-state conviction which was not reported to the department within one year of the date of conviction, as required in this subsection.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 102; 1997 Act No. 150, Section 3; 1998 Act No. 258, Section 2.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-660. Review of license status in other states upon application for license in party state.

Upon application for a license to drive, the licensing authority in a party state shall ascertain whether the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license to drive issued by any other party state. The licensing authority in the state where application is made may not issue a license to drive if:
(1) The applicant has held a license, but it has been suspended for a violation and the suspension period has not terminated.
(2) The applicant has held a license, but it has been revoked for a violation, and the revocation has not terminated, except that after the expiration of one year from the date the license was revoked, the person may make application for a new license if permitted by law. The licensing authority may refuse to issue a license to any applicant if, after investigation, the licensing authority determines that it will not be safe to grant the person the privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the public highways.
(3) The applicant is the holder of a license to drive issued by another party state and currently in force unless the applicant surrenders the license.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-670. Effect on other laws or agreements.

Except as expressly required by provisions of the compact, nothing herein affects the right of the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply any of South Carolina's other laws relating to licenses to drive to any person or circumstance, nor to invalidate or prevent any driver license agreement or other cooperative arrangement between South Carolina and a nonparty state.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 103.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-680. Administration; exchange of information.

(A) The director or his designee of the Department of Motor Vehicles is the administrator of this compact for South Carolina. The administrators, acting jointly, have the power to formulate all necessary procedures for the exchange of information under this compact.
(B) The department shall furnish to the administrator of each other party state any information or documents reasonably necessary to facilitate the administration of this compact.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1; 1996 Act No. 459, Section 104.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-690. Withdrawal from compact.

Any party state may withdraw from the compact, but no withdrawal may take effect until six months after the executive heads of all other party states have received notice. Withdrawal does not affect the validity or applicability by the licensing authorities of states remaining party to the compact of any report of conviction occurring prior to the withdrawal.
HISTORY: 1987 Act No. 72 Section 1.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-710. "Conviction" defined.

The term "conviction" as used in this article shall also include the entry of any plea of guilty, the entry of any plea of nolo contendere and the forfeiture of any bail or collateral deposited to secure a defendant's appearance in court.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-195; 1955 (49) 249.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-720. Point system established; schedule of points for violations.

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:
VIOLATION POINTS Reckless driving 6 Passing stopped school bus 6 Hit-and-run, property damages only 6 Driving too fast for conditions, or speeding: (1) No more than 10 m.p.h. above the posted limits 2 (2) More than 10 m.p.h. but less than 25 m.p.h. above the posted limits 4 (3) 25 m.p.h. or above the posted limits 6 Disobedience of any official traffic control device 4 Disobedience to officer directing traffic 4 Failing to yield right-of-way 4 Driving on wrong side of road 4 Passing unlawfully 4 Turning unlawfully 4 Driving through or within safety zone 4 Shifting lanes without safety precaution 2 Improper dangerous parking 2 Following too closely 4 Failing to dim lights 2 Operating with improper lights 2 Operating with improper brakes 4 Operating a vehicle in unsafe condition 2 Driving in improper lane 2 Improper backing 2 Endangerment of a highway worker, no injury 2 Endangerment of a highway worker, injury results 4
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-196; 1955 (49) 249; 1962 (52) 1976; 1966 (54) 2383; 1970 (56) 2383; 1988 Act No. 532, Section 7; 2017 Act No. 81 (H.4033), Sections 2, 5.A, eff May 19, 2017.
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.
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".
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-747. What constitutes conviction for purposes of Section 56-1-746.

For purposes of Section 56-1-746 a conviction is defined as provided in Section 56-1-2030 and includes being adjudicated under juvenile proceedings.
HISTORY: 1990 Act No. 602, Section 5; 1994 Act No. 357, Section 4.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-748. Persons issued restricted driver's license ineligible for issuance of special restricted driver's license; route restricted driver's license.

(A) No person issued a restricted driver's license under the provisions of Section 56-1-170, 56-1-320, 56-1-740, 56-1-745, 56-1-746, 56-5-750, 56-9-430, 56-10-260, 56-10-270, or 56-5-2951 shall subsequently be eligible for issuance of a restricted driver's license under these provisions.
(B) A person who obtains a route restricted driver's license and who is required to attend an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program or a court-ordered drug program as a condition of reinstatement of the person's driving privileges may use the route restricted driver's license to attend the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program classes or court-ordered drug program in addition to the other permitted uses of the route restricted driver's license.
HISTORY: 1992 Act No. 421, Section 5; 1999 Act No. 115, Section 5; 2008 Act No. 201, Section 3, eff February 10, 2009; 2014 Act No. 158 (S.137), Section 5, eff October 1, 2014.
Editor's Note
Section 56-1-745 was repealed by 2011 Act No. 13, Section 1. Section 56-10-270 was repealed by 2002 Act No. 324, Section 10.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-750. Computation of points.

In computing the total number of points charged to any person after a particular violation, those accrued as a result of violations which have occurred during the twelve months' period including and immediately preceding the last violation shall be counted at their full value, those accrued from twelve to twenty-four months preceding the last violation shall be counted at one half their established value and those resulting from violations which occurred more than twenty-four months prior to the last violation shall not be counted.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-196.3; 1955 (49) 249.
2023 South Carolina Code of Laws › Title 56 - Motor Vehicles › Chapter 1 - Driver's License › Section 56-1-760. Violations considered in suspension to be disregarded in subsequent suspension.

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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-196.4; 1955 (49) 249.