[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-lose-your-license-for-a-dui-in-south-carolina\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-lose-your-license-for-a-dui-in-south-carolina\/","headline":"Do You Lose Your License for a DUI in South Carolina?","name":"Do You Lose Your License for a DUI in South Carolina?","description":"A drunk driving conviction in South Carolina can have severe consequences, including the loss of your driver\u2019s license. South Carolina law says a first-time DUI conviction will lead to an automatic, six-month driver\u2019s license suspension. Other penalties include fines and possible jail time. A driver\u2019s license suspension usually...","datePublished":"2024-05-09","dateModified":"2026-05-27","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/jimtucker-user\/#Person","name":"Jim Tucker","url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/author\/jimtucker-user\/","identifier":11,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/44083b310c18e164c282b70c2998ed23ca87dafd05103949a9ed48ec14940f87?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/44083b310c18e164c282b70c2998ed23ca87dafd05103949a9ed48ec14940f87?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"McKinney, Tucker & Lemel","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MTLLaw-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/MTLLaw-logo.png","width":387,"height":95}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/drink-beer-while-driving.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/drink-beer-while-driving.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-lose-your-license-for-a-dui-in-south-carolina\/","about":["DUI"],"wordCount":1138,"articleBody":"A drunk driving conviction in South Carolina can have severe consequences, including the loss of your driver\u2019s license. South Carolina law says a first-time DUI conviction will lead to an automatic, six-month driver\u2019s license suspension. Other penalties include fines and possible jail time.A driver\u2019s license suspension usually applies from the time of your conviction, not your arrest. However, you could lose your license without a DUI conviction if you refuse to submit to a breath or blood test. Under South Carolina\u2019s implied consent law, anyone driving in the state is assumed to have consented to a blood or breath test if they\u2019re suspected to be under the influence. Refusing to submit to a DUI test is grounds for an automatic 90-day driver\u2019s license suspension \u2013 or 180 days if you have a previous suspension or DUI conviction within the past 10 years.The bottom line? A conviction on a DUI charge can have drastic consequences for your future. Here\u2019s how a conviction can affect your driving privileges.How Long Will a License Be Suspended For?The length of a driver\u2019s license suspension related to a DUI case depends on your prior criminal history. Here\u2019s how it works, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS):Refusing to submit to a DUI breath or blood test \u2013 Automatic 90-day suspension, or 180 days if you have a prior DUI conviction or related suspension in the past 10 yearsFirst DUI conviction \u2013 6-month driver\u2019s license suspensionSecond DUI conviction \u2013 1-year driver\u2019s license suspensionThird DUI conviction \u2013 2-year driver\u2019s license suspension, or 4-year suspension if your third offense occurs within 5 years of your first offenseFourth or subsequent DUI conviction \u2013 Permanent revocation of your driver\u2019s licenseHow Can You Get Your License Back After Your Suspension Is Over?Once your driver\u2019s license suspension period is complete, you can apply to have your driving privileges restored. However, you can\u2019t just walk into your local DMV branch and have them give you a new license.There are a few steps you must complete before you can get your license back:1 – Pay FeesFirst, you have to pay the required reinstatement fees. There\u2019s a $100 reinstatement fee for each driver\u2019s license suspension, though payment plans are available in some situations.2 – Complete the ADSAP ProgramYou must then complete the South Carolina Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP). State law requires anyone convicted of DUI to complete this program so they better understand the dangers of impaired driving. It\u2019s also worth noting that you must pay a fee as part of the ADSAP, which will add to the overall cost of your license suspension.3 – Buy Car InsuranceYou must purchase the minimum auto insurance required by the state. Anyone convicted of DUI in South Carolina must provide an SR-22 certificate to the DMV to get a license. An SR-22 certificate states that your insurance meets the state\u2019s minimum coverage requirements so authorities can ensure high-risk drivers can cover the cost of any damage or injuries from a crash.4 – Install a BAIIDYou may need to have a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) installed in your car before you can get your license back. These devices measure the alcohol in your breath before you can start your vehicle to prevent you from driving drunk and causing an accident. Not everyone convicted of DUI in South Carolina is required to install a BAIID, but many people are. An attorney can tell you more about whether you need a BAIID installed to restore your driving privileges.Can You Appeal a South Carolina License Suspension?You can appeal a driver\u2019s license suspension in South Carolina, though these appeals are difficult to win. To start your appeal, you must call the South Carolina Administrative Law Court and notify them or appear at the court in person.We strongly urge you to hire an attorney if you want to appeal a driver\u2019s license suspension. A lawyer can help you gather evidence to support your appeal and represent you in any court hearings.Is It Possible to Get a Temporary License?There are a few kinds of temporary driver\u2019s licenses available in South Carolina, depending on your situation.Here are the different types and the requirements for each, according to the South Carolina DMV:Provisional Driver\u2019s LicenseThis type of temporary license is available after a first DUI offense. The requirements for a provisional license are:Having previously met the requirements for a valid SC driver\u2019s license at some pointMeeting all requirements for prior suspensions, revocations, and cancellationsA blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.14 percent or less in your caseNo other suspensions after the DUI suspension, with certain exceptionsEnrollment in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP)Payment of a $100 feeRoute Restricted Driver\u2019s LicenseYou might qualify for a Route Restricted License for certain types of suspension. These licenses are not available to non-U.S. citizens without permanent resident status. It has the following conditions:Usage \u2013 To and from work or school, during work or school, to ADSAP, or to a court-ordered drug programValidity \u2013 For the duration of the suspensionRestrictions \u2013\u00a0 Only one route restricted license in a lifetime, except under specific circumstancesApplication \u2013\u00a0 Requires completing SCDMV Form DL-127 and a $100 feeTemporary Alcohol License (TAL)You may qualify for a Temporary Alcohol License after certain types of suspension if you have requested an administrative hearing to appeal your case.The types of suspension you could receive a TAL for include:Implied ConsentImplied Consent under 21BAC of 0.15BAC of 0.02 or more under 21The TAL will be valid until hearing results are received, and it costs $100. If the suspension is overturned, you must return your TAL, at which point you can apply for your regular license.What Are the Other Penalties for a DUI in South Carolina?In addition to a driver\u2019s license suspension, you could face other penalties for a DUI conviction in South Carolina, such as:OffenseJail Time Other PenaltiesFirst Offense48 hours to 30 days in jailFine of up to $400Second Offense5 days to 1 year in jailFine of $2,100 to $5,100Third Offense60 days to 3 years in jailFine of $3,800 to $6,300Fourth or Subsequent Offense1 to 5 years in prisonPermanent license revocationDepending on the circumstances, other consequences may include community service, having to install a BAIID, and even vehicle confiscation.Contact a South Carolina DUI Defense LawyerThe penalties for DUI offenses in South Carolina are harsh, but working with an experienced attorney can help you avoid the worst potential outcome in your case. Call McKinney, Tucker & Lemel LLC today for a consultation with a South Carolina DUI defense lawyer.Visit Our South Carolina DUI Defense Law Offices[    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question\",        \"text\": \"Once your driver\u2019s license suspension period is complete, you can apply to have your driving privileges restored. However, you can\u2019t just walk into your local DMV branch and have them give you a new license.\",        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/www.mtllawfirm.com\/blog\/do-you-lose-your-license-for-a-dui-in-south-carolina\/#Answer\"    },    {        \"@context\": \"http:\/\/schema.org\",        \"@type\": \"Answer\",        \"name\": \"Answer Question1\",        \"text\": \"You can appeal a driver\u2019s license suspension in South Carolina, though these appeals are difficult to win. 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