In South Carolina, having your driver’s license reinstated may be as easy as paying off your fines and the reinstatement fee—but for major offenses, you’ll need to take a required safety or driving course before getting your driving privileges back.
After losing your driver’s license, your top priority is probably getting it back. Sometimes all it takes is finishing your suspension period and paying a reinstatement fee, but these rules depend on the severity of the offense. Plus, the regulations are different in every state.
In South Carolina, a driver’s license reinstatement usually costs $100, but the requirements can be confusing. That’s why car insurance
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is here to guide you through South Carolina license reinstatement. Plus, stick around to learn how to save on your South Carolina car insurance
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Why you might need a license reinstatement in South Carolina
The South Carolina DMV
suspends and revokes driver’s licenses for several reasons. You could have your license suspended for getting a DUI
or accumulating too many driver's license points
, and your license can be revoked for committing a felony with a vehicle or committing vehicular manslaughter. In South Carolina, you don’t automatically regain your driving privileges just because your suspension period is over. While the reinstatement requirements generally stay the same for each person, you can call (803) 896-5000 or visit an SCDMV office
if you have specific questions about your case. How to get a license reinstatement in South Carolina
While your route may differ depending on your specific charge, South Carolina typically requires the following before reinstating your license:
Fulfill your suspension period
Satisfy any court requirements
Pay any legal fines or fees
Pay the driver’s license reinstatement fee of $100
Complete an alcohol and drug safety program, if applicable
Install an ignition interlock device on your car, if applicable
Point suspensions
In South Carolina, your license can be suspended if you accumulate 12 or more points on your driving record—and the length of suspension goes up with the number of points on your record. If you aren’t sure where you stand, you can check the points
on your record through the DMV website. If your license got suspended due to point violations, you’ll be expected to follow the same route to reinstatement as any other suspension. However, you may be able to lower the number of points on your record by taking an SCDMV-approved defensive driving course.
Revocations
If your South Carolina license was revoked, you can begin the reinstatement process after your revocation period ends. Then you’ll follow the same procedure as a suspension reinstatement. The reinstatement fee for a revoked license reinstatement is also $100, though you may have other fees to pay depending on your specific case.
Key Takeaway In many cases, you can get your license reinstated by paying any required fees, though alcohol-related cases require an alcohol and drug safety program to be reinstated.
MORE: How to get car insurance with a bad driving record
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How to get a hardship license in South Carolina
Getting around without a license can be nearly impossible, so South Carolina allows some drivers with certain charges to apply for hardship or provisional licenses so they can get to work, school, or court-appointed programs.
South Carolina offers three different types
of hardship licenses depending on your case: a provisional driver’s license, a route restricted driver’s license, and a temporary alcohol license. Each of these licenses costs $100. The provisional driver’s license is a six-month license for first-time DUI offenders. The route restricted license is more like a traditional hardship license. You can apply for a route-restricted license by filling out SCDMV Form DL-127
and mailing it to the following address: Blythewood, SC 29016-0028
The temporary alcohol license (TAL) is given to DUI offenders who are awaiting the results of their hearing, and you can use it up until you receive the results. If your suspension continues as a result of the hearing, you’ll have to return the TAL to the DMV; then you can apply for a route restricted license if eligible.
Who can you apply for a hardship license?
Drivers who have suspended licenses for first-time DUIs are eligible for a six-month provisional license if they meet the following requirements:
You have a valid SC driver’s license (before suspension)
You have met requirements for prior suspension or revocations
You had a blood alcohol content of 0.14 or less
You have no other suspensions on your record
You’re enrolled in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program
You pay the $100 fee for a provisional license
For a route-restricted license, you can apply if your charge meets their criteria
and you have never had a route-restricted license before. MORE: High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know
What is an SR-22 certificate?
If your South Carolina license has been suspended or revoked, you’ll need to file for an SR-22 with your insurance company. This certificate serves as legal proof that you meet South Carolina’s minimum insurance requirements.
If you’ve had a DUI, a reckless driving charge, or are considered a high-risk driver, you’ll be required to have an SR-22 in South Carolina
. You’ll file for the certificate through your insurance company and pay a fee, usually less than $50. When you file for an SR-22, you can expect to see your insurance premiums increase significantly.
MORE: How to fill out and file an SR-22
How to save money on car insurance in South Carolina
With a license suspension or SR-22 filing on your record, finding cheap car insurance quotes online
will be more crucial than ever. Your increased rates may also be unpredictable since every insurance provider uses different methods to calculate premiums. That’s why it’s smartest to do a thorough comparison of all of your options—but that could take a while. When you use the Jerry
app to shop for quotes, you could save time and money. Even with a spotty record, Jerry can gather the lowest possible rates from over 50 top companies in under 45 seconds. Jerry’s agents are there every step of the way if you need help, but we won’t call you unless you ask. The best part? Average Jerry users save $887 a year on car insurance!
“I have a really bad record, so all of my previous insurance quotes were pretty high. I started using Jerry
and the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.
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