Traffic Tickets in South Carolina

In South Carolina, traffic violations are tracked through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Every time a driver receives a traffic ticket, points are added to their driving record. After six points, the DMV will send a warning letter to the driving, advising them to change their driving habits and outlining the consequences of further unsafe behavior. A driver’s record can affect their auto insurance rates and other factors such as employment or credit history scores.

There are many different ways to accumulate points on your driving record. The following violations will earn two points:

1. Not using headlights properly (such as not having them on or shining the brights at other drivers) or having broken tail lights

2. Speeding less than 10 mph over the speed limit

3. Improper backing up or unsafe parking

4. Driving in the wrong lane or changing lanes improperly.

These violations are worth four points:

1. Speeding more than 10 mph over the speed limit but less than 25 mph over

2. Illegal turning, passing, or failure to yield the right of way

3. Following too closely (tailgating) or failure to signal for stopping or turning

4. Improper brakes or signals

5. Driving the wrong way down the road

6. Driving through a safety zone

7. Ignoring a traffic director, any traffic signal, or failure to stop for a train.

Six points are awarded for reckless driving, speeding 25 mph over the speed limit, or passing a school bus with its stop sign out. There are other ways to receive traffic points, but these are the most common.

The main purpose of the points system is to keep track of repeat offenders and punish them with a license suspension when their total points becomes excessive. Drivers can have their license suspended for the following lengths of time:

3 months (12 to 15 points)

4 months (16 or 17 points)

5 months (18 or 19 points)

6 months (20 or more points).

After a license suspension, the driver may apply to have their license reinstated. All of this takes time, money, and energy, so drivers need to be aware of the status of their driving record.