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
AV legislation

Regulates truck platooning.

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 Universal helmet law repealed 1980.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
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

South Carolina
Marijuana Possession and Use

Illegal

South Carolina
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

South Carolina
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70 (60 on specified segments)

South Carolina
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

60

South Carolina
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

60

South Carolina
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

South Carolina
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

South Carolina
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70 (60 on specified segments)

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 both high BAC (.15 or higher) and repeat convictions

South Carolina
Open container laws

Yes

South Carolina
Repeat Offender Laws

No

South Carolina
Child Restraint Required

2 yrs or under and under 30 lbs in rear-facing child safety seat
7 yrs and under and shorter than 57" and under 80 lbs in child restraint

South Carolina
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

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

South Carolina
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

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
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)

15

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?

No

South Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

No

South Carolina
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

No

South Carolina
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

South Carolina
Speed Cameras: State Law

Prohibited

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
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