How to check your points in South Carolina

South Carolina tracks points on your driver's license through the Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). You can check your current point total three ways: online through the SCDMV website, by phone, or in person at a local DMV office. The online method is fastest — you'll need your driver's license number and date of birth, and you can see your points within seconds.

Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, not from when you paid the ticket. This matters because you might still have points even if you settled the ticket months ago. South Carolina adds points based on the type of violation: speeding adds 2 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were, reckless driving adds 6 points, and at-fault accidents add 4 points. Accumulating 12 or more points within three years triggers a license suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your points online at scdmv.org using your license number and date of birth, or call the SCDMV at 803-896-5000 during business hours.
  • Points remain on your record for three years from the violation date, regardless of when you paid any fine.
  • Twelve or more points within three years results in an automatic license suspension.
  • You can reduce points by completing a defensive driving course, which removes up to 4 points if you have no other violations pending.

Checking points online through SCDMV

Go to scdmv.org and look for the "Check Your Driving Record" option on the homepage. Click it and select "Online Driving Record Inquiry." You'll be asked to enter your South Carolina driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will display your current point total and a list of violations that added those points, including the violation date and point value for each one.

The online system updates regularly but not when ready. If you received a ticket very recently, it may take a few days to appear in the system. The record you see is your official driving record and can be printed or saved as a PDF for your records or to show your insurance company.

Calling the SCDMV for your point balance

Call the SCDMV at 803-896-5000 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time). Have your driver's license number and date of birth ready. A representative will look up your record and tell you your current point total and which violations are on file. This method works if you don't have internet access or prefer to speak with someone directly.

Wait times can be long during peak hours, especially mid-morning and early afternoon. Calling early in the morning or late in the afternoon often means shorter hold times. If you're calling about a specific ticket, have the ticket number or violation date available so the representative can answer questions about that particular violation.

Checking in person at a DMV office

Visit any SCDMV office with your driver's license and proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, tax return, or W-2). Staff will print your official driving record showing your point total and all violations. This method gives you a physical copy you can take home when ready, which is useful if you need documentation for insurance or legal purposes.

Office hours vary by location, but most are open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some offices have Saturday hours. Check the SCDMV website for the office nearest you and its specific hours before you go. Bring your license and Social Security documentation to avoid a second trip.

Understanding what each violation costs in points

South Carolina assigns points based on the severity of the violation. Speeding violations range from 2 points (1 to 10 mph over the limit) to 6 points (25 mph or more over the limit). Reckless driving, improper passing, and failure to yield each add 6 points. At-fault accidents add 4 points. Driving without a license, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run add 6 points each.

Minor violations like equipment failures or broken taillights do not add points — only moving violations do. If you received a ticket but are unsure how many points it carries, the ticket itself should list the point value, or you can ask the SCDMV when you check your record.

How to reduce points through defensive driving

You can remove up to 4 points by completing an approved defensive driving course. South Carolina recognizes courses offered by the National Safety Council, AAA, and other state-approved providers. Courses are available online and in-person, and most take 4 to 8 hours to complete. You'll pay a course fee (typically $20 to $50) plus the cost of the course itself.

You can take a defensive driving course only once every three years, and only if you have no other violations currently pending. The course must be completed before you can claim the point reduction. After you finish, the provider sends a certificate to the SCDMV, which removes the points from your record within a few weeks. This reduction does not erase the violation from your record — it only removes the points.

What happens when you reach 12 points

Accumulating 12 or more points within a three-year period triggers an automatic license suspension. The SCDMV will mail you a notice of suspension, and your license becomes invalid on the date specified in that notice. You cannot drive legally once the suspension takes effect, even if you disagree with the points or violations on your record.

To get your license back after suspension, you must wait out the suspension period (typically 6 months for a first suspension), pay a reinstatement fee of $100, and pass a written test and vision test at the DMV. If you receive another suspension within five years, the suspension period is longer and the reinstatement fee increases. Checking your points regularly helps you catch violations before they add up to suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do points stay on my license in South Carolina?

Points remain on your record for three years from the date of the violation. This means a ticket from three years and one day ago no longer counts toward your total, even if you just paid it. The three-year clock starts on the violation date, not the date you received the ticket or paid any fine.

Can I dispute points on my license?

You can dispute a violation by contesting the ticket in traffic court before you pay it. Once you pay the ticket or plead guilty, the violation and points are final. If you believe the violation was issued in error, you must fight it in court, not through the DMV. The SCDMV enforces the points system but does not make decisions about whether violations are valid.

Will checking my points affect my license or insurance?

Checking your own points has no effect on your license or insurance rates. Your insurance company can see your driving record if they request it from the SCDMV, but your personal inquiry does not trigger any notification to them or change anything on your record.

What if I moved out of South Carolina but still have a SC license?

You can still check your points online or by phone using the methods above. However, if your license is suspended, you must handle reinstatement through the SCDMV, which may require a visit to an office or mailing documents. Contact the SCDMV to ask about your options if you're out of state.

Can I remove points without taking a defensive driving course?

No. The only way to remove points in South Carolina is to complete an approved defensive driving course. Points do not disappear on their own — they fall off your record only after three years have passed since the violation date. Paying a ticket does not remove points.