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.

South Carolina

Motorcycle Helmet Required?

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 Universal helmet law repealed 1980.

South Carolina

Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

10 years

South Carolina

Provisions for Mature Drivers

65 and over: renewal and vision test every 5 years

South Carolina

Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

South Carolina

Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

South Carolina

DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

South Carolina

Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

South Carolina

Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

South Carolina

Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70 (60 on specified segments)

South Carolina

Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70 (60 on specified segments)

South Carolina

Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

South Carolina

Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

South Carolina

Increased penalty for high BAC

.10 and .16

South Carolina

Administrative license suspension on first offense

1 month (for BAC .15 or higher)

South Carolina

Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

South Carolina

Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

South Carolina

Open container laws

Yes

South Carolina

Repeat Offender Laws

South Carolina

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

South Carolina

Adult Safety Belt Permissible

7 yrs or under and 80 lbs or over or 57" or taller 8-17 yrs

South Carolina

Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 2 under 21 unless to/from school

South Carolina

Full Privilege Minimum Age

16 years, 6 months

South Carolina

Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

South Carolina

Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

South Carolina

Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

40 (10)

South Carolina

Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 / 6

South Carolina

Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

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

South Carolina

Type of Law

Primary

South Carolina

Who is Covered?

8 and over

South Carolina

In What Seat?

All

South Carolina

Hand-Held Ban?

South Carolina

All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

South Carolina

All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

South Carolina

Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

South Carolina

Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

South Carolina

Red Light Cameras: State Law

Prohibited

South Carolina

Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

South Carolina

Speed Cameras: State Law

Prohibited

Rising Death Toll From Distracted Driving Prompts Action

Read more about Rising Death Toll From Distracted Driving Prompts Action

When a person reads a text while driving, his or her eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s like driving the length of a football field while blindfolded.

“Hands Across the Border” DUI Prevention Campaign Returns

Read more about “Hands Across the Border” DUI Prevention Campaign Returns

With some states seeing an increase in alcohol-related crashes and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia is looking to get drunk and drugged drivers off the road during the 29th annual “Hands Across the Border” DUI enforcement and awareness campaign.

Operation Southern Shield Starts July 20th

Read more about Operation Southern Shield Starts July 20th

On July 20th, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee will join forces for Operation Southern Shield.

The growing danger for pedestrians

Read more about The growing danger for pedestrians

After a number of pedestrian fatalities in the area, this article assesses pedestrian safety in South Carolina's Orangeburg County. Executive Director Jonathan Adkins speaks to GHSA's recent report on this issue.

The growing danger for pedestrians

July 8, 2019

Law enforcement officers cracking down on speeding during multi-state campaign

Read more about Law enforcement officers cracking down on speeding during multi-state campaign

Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee are partnering again for Operation Southern Shield, a high visibility enforcement period focusing on speeding. Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety Director and GHSA Vice Chair Harris Blackwood discusses.