South Carolina: Points and repeat violations
Official-Source Information
South Carolina publishes rules for some suspensions involving accumulated points or repeat violations. The applicable period and any next step depend on the state's record, so use this page as general source-backed information and confirm against the current official record.
General information only. This page does not review your record, decide which category applies, or select a form or provider.
Official source last checked Jun 29, 2026
Direct source-backed answer
South Carolina uses a numeric point system under SC Code Section 56-1-720 and Section 56-1-740. At 6 points, you'll receive a warning letter. At 12 or more points, your license is suspended, with the length of the suspension scaling up (3, 4, 5, or 6 months) as your point total gets higher. To reinstate, first serve out the suspension, then pay the $100 SCDMV reinstatement fee. You also have the option to take an SCDMV-approved Driver Improvement course, which removes 4 points from your record and can be used once every 3 years, to help bring your total below the next suspension threshold. No SR-22 is required for a suspension based on points alone. Separately, a Route-Restricted license (which covers things like work, school, court-ordered programs, or the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program) is available, but only on a one-time basis for your entire life (Form DL-127). Note that a Habitual Traffic Offender designation under Section 56-1-1020 is a different, more serious status. It applies if you have 10 or more moving violation convictions, or 3 or more convictions involving a victim, within 3 years, and it carries a 5-year revocation; that situation is handled separately and is not covered by the points process described here.
Published fee information
$100 SCDMV reinstatement (points). No SR-22. Driver Improvement course is third-party (cost varies); removes 4 points once per 3 years.
Check the official fee sourceConfirm the exact amount and payee with SCDMV before payment.
Forms and documents
scdmvonline.com submission; DL-127 if seeking Route-Restricted (lifetime-once). (dmv.sc.gov 2026-06-28 for DL-127 + Route-Restricted scope)
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Common questions
No. It summarizes published South Carolina information for this category. Your current official notice and record determine which requirements apply, and the issuing agency makes the final decision.
The cited source was last checked Jun 29, 2026. Forms, fees, and submission methods can change, so confirm them on the linked official source before acting or paying.
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Source excerpt summary: South Carolina uses a numeric point system under SC Code Section 56-1-720 and Section 56-1-740. At 6 points, you'll receive a warning letter. At 12 or more points, your license is suspended, with the length of the suspen...
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