South Carolina

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of South Carolina. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .10 and .16 1 month (for BAC .15 or higher) Yes

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes No
  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 2 yrs or until height or weight limit reached in rear-facing seat

    2-8 yrs in forward-facing child safety seat or in booster seat secured by lap/shoulder belt (lap belt alone is not permissible)

    7 yrs or under in rear seat if available

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8 yrs and at least 57" if child can be properly secured by adult belt

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    No

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    No

    Novice Drivers

    No

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Illegal
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    10 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    65 and over: renewal and vision test every 5 years

     

  • Motorcyclists

    Helmets required for all riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1980.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    8 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    Prohibited

    Red Light Cameras

    Prohibited

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 (60 on specified segments) 70 (60 on specified segments)

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    60 60
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    16 years, 6 months

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 6 40 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    15 / 6

    EST: 6 p.m. - 6 a.m.

    EDT: 8 p.m. - 6 a.m.

    		 No more than 2 under 21 unless to/from school