Do You Lose Your License for a DUI in South Carolina?
Driving under the influence in South Carolina can lead to severe penalties, including the loss of your license. South Carolina law states that a conviction for even a first-time offense will result in your license being automatically suspended for 6 months. Additionally, you could face fines and jail time.
In some cases, you could lose your license prior to a conviction. If you refuse to submit to a breath or blood alcohol test, your license will be suspended immediately for 90 days. That suspension increases to 180 days if you have been convicted of a DUI in the past 10 years.
Driving under the influence can lead to car accidents and serious injuries. For this reason and more, South Carolina takes these offenses very seriously. Learn all the details below about license suspension after a DUI and how to get your license back.
License Suspension Times for a DUI in South Carolina
License suspensions are serious business, and the amount of time your license is suspended will depend on your criminal history. You can expect a longer license suspension if you have previous DUI convictions on your record. License suspension times are as follows:
- Refusal to Take a Blood or Breath Alcohol Test: 90-day suspension (or 180 days if you have a prior DUI conviction or suspension within the last 10 years)
- First DUI Conviction: 6-month license suspension
- Second DUI Conviction: A 9-month license suspension or 1-year license suspension if the offense was within 10 years of the first offense
- Third DUI Conviction: 2-year license suspension or 4-year license suspension if the offense was within 5 years of the first offense
- Fourth (or More) DUI Conviction: Permanent revocation of your driver’s license
If you are convicted of a DUI, you can expect that you will lose your driving privileges for quite some time. DUI convictions can have an even greater impact on those who hold a commercial driver’s license. The best thing to do is not get behind the wheel if you have been drinking.
Other Penalties for a DUI
Losing your license is bad enough, but a DUI will also get you some other penalties as well. In fact, you might even find yourself spending some time in jail. Here are some additional penalties you could face after a DUI conviction:
- First DUI Conviction: Fines of up to $400 and 48 hours to 30 days in jail
- Second DUI Conviction: Fines of $2,100 to $5,100 and 5 days to 1 year in jail
- Third DUI Conviction: Fines of $3,800 to $6,300 and 60 days to 3 years in jail
- Fourth (or More) DUI Conviction: One to five years in prison and permanent revocation of your license
Other penalties that may be imposed after a conviction include community service and installation of an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. In some cases, your vehicle might even be confiscated. A DUI is a serious offense, and these penalties are evidence of that fact.
How to Get Your License Back
Getting your license back after your suspension is over is not as easy as you might think. There are specific steps you must complete. The first thing you must do is pay the reinstatement fee. This fee is $100 and is required after every license suspension.
Next, you must complete the South Carolina ADSAP (Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program). Everyone convicted of a DUI in South Carolina must complete this program. You will have to do this prior to getting your license reinstated. There are also additional fees associated with this program that you will have to pay.
The next step is finding and purchasing car insurance. You will be required to provide the DMV with proof of your liability insurance coverage before you can get your license back. Finally, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.
Ignition interlock devices prevent your vehicle from starting if you have any alcohol on your breath. Not everyone is required to install this type of device, but repeat offenders are likely to be ordered to meet this requirement.
Temporary License Options
South Carolina does provide a few options for getting a temporary license after your first conviction or while your case is pending. These options may allow you to drive under limited circumstances, such as going to work or school. You must meet specific requirements to get a temporary license, and you may even lose your temporary license after a conviction.
Contact The Rock Hill Personal Injury Lawyers At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact our Personal Injury lawyers in South Carolina at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve York County, Lancaster County, and its surrounding areas:
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – York Office
6 N Congress St,
York, SC 29745
(803) 902-7225
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Rock Hill Office
212 E Black St,
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 324-7574
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Lancaster Office
204 A S Main St,
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 902-7065
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Fort Mill Office
1201 Carolina Pl Suite 102D,
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 902-4045
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Lake Wylie Office
264 Latitude Ln #102A,
Lake Wylie, SC 29710
(803) 902-3608
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Charlotte Office
1100 S Mint St #109,
Charlotte, NC 28203
Open 24 hrs
(980) 340 8620
