South Carolina Driving Records

South Carolina driving records provide a detailed account of a person's driving history. They generally include information such as traffic violations, license suspensions, points on a license, and any accidents reported to the appropriate state agency.

Access to driver reports depends on state-specific laws that regulate who may view or request them.

You may request a copy of your driving history report for personal reference. Employers and other authorized parties may also request South Carolina motor vehicle records for legal purposes, subject to eligibility. They must follow state guidelines to obtain these records legally.

What Is a South Carolina Driving Record?

A South Carolina driving record summarizes a driver's history, including violations, points, and license status. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) officially calls this report a motor vehicle record (MVR). This record plays a vital role in legal, employment, and insurance evaluations and reflects incidents reported within and outside the state.

The SCDMV maintains and issues the MVR. However, several traffic-related transactions and records may affect your driving report. These records originate from the state courts, local law enforcement, and the Department of Transportation.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records?

An official South Carolina MVR contains complete and legally recognized information about a driver's history within the state. This record is typically used by government agencies, employers, courts, and insurance providers who require accurate and verified driving data.

In contrast, third-party services such as RecordsFinder offer public driver reports. These third-party reports often compile data from various public sources. As a result, public driving history may serve as a general reference.

While both reports provide insights into a person's driving history, only the South Carolina MVR carries legal authority.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

People request driving histories for various reasons, which may differ by state. However, some of the most common reasons include:

• Employment Background Checks: Many employers, especially those in transportation, logistics, or delivery services, review South Carolina driver history reports before hiring candidates.
• Insurance Rate Assessment: Insurance companies use South Carolina MVRs to determine risk levels and set premium rates accordingly.
• License Reinstatement: You may need to present your MVR when applying to reinstate a suspended or revoked license.
• Traffic Court Requirements: Although South Carolina does not require it for every case, you may need to request certified driving reports for court-ordered defensive driving courses to dismiss tickets.
• Personal Review: You may check your records to monitor points, confirm accuracy, or prepare for job applications or license renewals.
• Legal Proceedings: Attorneys may request MVRs as evidence in cases involving traffic violations, accidents, or charges.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

A South Carolina driving history includes various data that reflect a driver's conduct and legal standing on the road. The details commonly listed in the report include:

• License status, whether valid, expired, suspended, or revoked
• Traffic violations and citations
• Demerit points accumulated due to infractions
• Suspensions and revocations, including administrative or court-ordered actions
• Any reported traffic accidents, stating the date and severity
• Criminal traffic offenses and convictions
• Restrictions and endorsements
• Driver's information, such as Social Security Number, and medical information

Types of Driver Records Available in South Carolina

The SCDMV offers several types of MVRs or driver records to meet different needs. Each type varies in the length and depth of information provided. The main types are:

• Three-year driving record
• Ten-year driving record
• Full driver's history report

These South Carolina driving history types include certified and non-certified versions, depending on whether the document needs to be legally recognized for official use. Certified records are typically required for court cases, employment, or other legal matters, while non-certified records are often used for personal review.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in South Carolina

A traffic violation, such as a speeding ticket within the state, is recorded and processed by local courts and the SCDMV. These violations may lead to fines, points on a license, and increased insurance costs.

If you receive a traffic ticket, it is important to respond quickly to avoid extra penalties. How you handle it depends on the type of violation and your next steps.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Traffic violations generally fall into two categories: moving and non-moving violations.

Moving violations refer to offenses committed while driving, typically involving unsafe behaviors. Some common examples include:

• Speeding: South Carolina has varying posted speed limits. The maximum speed for interstates is 70 miles per hour (MPH), while limits in urban districts are 30 MPH. Driving more than the allowed speed limit results in speeding violations.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: These offenses are considered hazardous driving behavior and may result in steep penalties and points.
• Illegal U-turns: Making a U-turn in a restricted area or under unsafe conditions may count as a moving violation.
• Impaired Driving: This violation includes driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and felony DUI. This serious offense leads to license suspension for 6 months, heavy fines as low as $1,000, mandatory courses, and possibly jail time.

Each moving violation is tracked on a driver's record and may influence both short- and long-term driving privileges in South Carolina, depending on the severity of violations.

On the other hand, non-moving violations occur when a vehicle is stationary or refers to vehicle documentation requirements. Some typical examples are:

• Expired Vehicle Registration: Failing to renew your registration on time may result in fines and prevent your license renewal.
• Parking violations: While they usually don't result in points on a license, unpaid parking tickets may affect vehicle registration renewals or lead to collection actions.

These violations generally do not affect your driving record directly, unless left unresolved.

What to Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

After receiving a speeding ticket or any other violation in South Carolina, you have several options depending on the charge and local court procedures.

• Review the Citation: Carefully examine your ticket to understand the specific offense, the due date for response, and which court is handling your case. This information will help you decide how to proceed.
• Choose Your Response Option: Pay or contest a ticket.
• Pay the Ticket: You may submit payment online, by mail, or in person at any court office. Paying is considered an admission of guilt and will result in points on your driving record.
• Contest the Ticket: If you believe the citation was issued in error, you may contest it by appearing in court, presenting evidence, and bringing witnesses to support your case.
• Prepare for Court Appearance: If you choose to contest the ticket or are required to appear, arrive at the specified traffic court on time and be prepared with any necessary documentation to avoid additional penalties.
• Handle Lost Citations: If you have misplaced your traffic ticket, contact the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) at (803) 896-7920 to retrieve your citation information.

Consult with legal counsel for more serious violations, such as DUI. Remember, a swift response to any traffic violation, regardless of severity, would prevent higher fines.

How Does the South Carolina Point System Work?

South Carolina uses a point system to monitor and manage driver behavior. Each traffic violation, whether within or out of state, except those not part of the non-resident violator compact, has a specific point value set by law.

Common infractions may range from two to six points depending on the severity:

• 2 Points: Speeding 10 mph over the limit
• 6 points: Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit
• 6 points: Reckless driving resulting in property damage
• 4 points: Failure to yield
• 4 Points: Disregarding a stop sign

Drivers with a beginner's permit, provisional license, or special restricted license will be suspended for six months if they accumulate six or more points.

For those with a standard operator's license, the suspension length depends on the number of points accumulated, as outlined in SC code 56-1-740:

• 12 to 15 points: 3 months
• Max 17 points: 4 months
• Max 19 points: 5 months
• 20 or more points: 6 months

Not all license suspensions are based on the point system. For instance, DUI and violations that cause injury and death result in mandatory suspensions and are handled separately from point-based penalties.

How Long Do Violations Stay On Your Driving History?

Traffic violations typically stay on your record for at least one year, though serious offenses, such as DUI violations, may remain longer or permanently. If it has been 10 years or more since a DUI conviction, it may not appear on a standard 10-year driving history. However, they may still appear on criminal background checks.

Violation points may be reduced automatically and voluntarily. Under SC law, they are automatically reduced by half after one year from the violation date and are halved again after an additional year.

You may also reduce up to four points by completing an approved National Safety Council 8-Hour Defensive Driving Course within the state before any license suspension. This option is available only once every three years.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

Minor offenses may be eligible for expungement in South Carolina, depending on the nature of the violation and the individual's driving and criminal history. Expungement allows certain offenses to be removed from a person's public record.

This process requires court approval and may involve a waiting period. Expungement fees typically start at $250, not including additional court or administrative costs.

However, not all violations qualify. Serious offenses such as DUI, reckless driving, or traffic violations involving injury or death are generally not eligible for expungement under South Carolina law.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

You may access your official driving record or MVR through several convenient methods:

• Online Request Process: For most individuals, the easier option is to request a driving history online through the SCDMV's website.
• By Mail Request: Complete a Request for Driver Information (SCDMV Form MV-70) and submit it along with the applicable fees to the mailing address provided on the form.
• In-Person Requests: You may visit a local SCDMV branch to obtain a driving history. At the DMV office, a staff member will assist with your request and provide a printed copy of your driving history. A valid driver's license and payment are required.

Businesses that frequently need access to driver records may apply for an SCDMV subscriber account. The annual subscription fee is $125, billed upon approval of the Subscriber Registration Agreement.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, a standard three-year, ten-year, or full driving history report costs $6 per request, whether submitted online, by mail, or in person. For users with a subscriber account, each driver report costs $7.25 in addition to an annual subscription fee. Request fees in a subscriber account cost more due to convenience factors and additional features.

Online requests are typically processed instantly, giving users immediate access once payment and required information are submitted.

In-person requests may take up to 45 minutes to complete, as long as requests are made before the cut-off period.

Mail-in requests, on the other hand, are better suited for non-urgent purposes, as standard processing may take up to 30 days. When available, expedited processing may shorten this timeframe to approximately 72 hours.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

While the state offers several ways to obtain a driver's report, free access is unavailable. All official requests for a South Carolina driving record require payment.

Despite the lack of a free official option, you may still monitor your points and driving status. You may want to keep all violation tickets and previous records.

In some cases, an employer or auto insurance company may provide a copy of your vehicle record if they have obtained it on your behalf, depending on internal policy and consent procedures.

Websites advertising a "free South Carolina driving history lookup" typically offer limited or unofficial summaries and may not reflect your actual DMV file. These platforms do not replace an official report.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

A bad driving record in South Carolina may result in serious consequences that impact more than just your ability to drive. It typically includes multiple traffic violations, license suspensions, high point totals, and serious infractions.

While traffic violations show on your driving reports, parking tickets do not appear. These tickets are local infractions that city or county authorities handle and are not reported to the SCDMV.

Also, verbal or written warnings issued by law enforcement do not become part of your official driving history. Only actual citations and convictions appear on your South Carolina MVR.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

Insurance companies evaluate a driver's motor vehicle report to determine risk. Drivers with speeding tickets, accidents, or DUI convictions are often considered high risk and more likely to see increased premiums or even denial of coverage.

Even a single speeding ticket entry may raise rates, especially if the driver is under 25 or has limited driving experience.

Employment opportunities may also be affected, particularly in roles that involve driving. Employers in industries like trucking, delivery, logistics, and government often conduct driving history checks. Companies may disqualify applicants with excessive violations, recent suspensions, or serious offenses on their South Carolina driver history.

Who Can Access Your South Carolina Driving History?

Access to South Carolina driving records is regulated to protect individual privacy while allowing legitimate uses. While these records are considered public documents in some contexts, their release is subject to state-specific guidelines and federal privacy laws, especially the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

Several parties may access a driving history report, including:

• You, as the record owner
• Employers with written consent and eligible reasons
• Insurance companies investigating claims
• Law enforcement and government agencies in the course of performing official duties

Unauthorized access or misuse of driving history may lead to civil penalties.

FAQs About South Carolina Driving Records

Here are some answers to common questions about driving records in South Carolina:

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