What a South Carolina driving record contains and who can request it
Your South Carolina driving record is a document maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) that shows your driving history in the state. It includes traffic violations, accidents you reported, license suspensions or revocations, points assessed against your license, and any DUI or reckless driving convictions. Insurance companies, employers, courts, and you yourself can request this record.
The SCDMV keeps two versions: a public record and a certified record. The public version shows most violations and accidents. The certified version is an official document with the SCDMV seal and signature, required for court cases, insurance claims, or employment verification. Both versions cost money to obtain, and the price depends on which type you need and how you request it.
Key Takeaways
- You can request your own driving record online through the SCDMV website, by mail, or in person at a local DMV office without needing a reason.
- A certified driving record costs more than a public record and takes longer to arrive, but is required for court proceedings and some employment checks.
- Points on your South Carolina license stay for three years from the violation date, and accumulating 12 or more points in that period triggers a suspension.
- Traffic violations appear on your record for seven years, while DUI convictions remain permanently unless expunged through a separate legal process.
- You can dispute errors on your record by contacting the SCDMV in writing with supporting documents within 30 days of receiving the record.
How to request your driving record online, by mail, or in person
The fastest way to get your record is through the SCDMV website at scdmv.org. You will need your driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The online system offers both public and certified records. A public record typically arrives within one business day as a PDF you can read when ready or have emailed. A certified record takes five to seven business days and is mailed to your address on file.
If you prefer not to order online, you can request your record by mail. Send a letter to the SCDMV Records Section with your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the type of record you need. Include a check or money order for the fee. Mail it to SCDMV, P.O. Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days from receipt.
You can also visit a local SCDMV office in person. Bring your driver's license and payment. Staff will print a public record on the spot, usually within 15 minutes. Certified records must be ordered and mailed to you. Find your nearest office on the SCDMV website by county.
What violations, points, and suspensions mean on your record
Every traffic violation in South Carolina carries a point value. Speeding 10 miles over the limit is 2 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Running a red light is 4 points. These points accumulate on your license for three years from the date of the violation. If you reach 12 points within three years, the SCDMV will suspend your license for three months. A second suspension within five years lasts six months. A third suspension lasts one year.
Accidents appear on your record whether you were at fault or not. At-fault accidents add 4 points to your license. Not-at-fault accidents do not add points but still show on your record. Insurance companies see both types and may use them to set your rates.
DUI convictions carry 6 points and trigger a mandatory license suspension. A first DUI suspension lasts six months. A second DUI within ten years lasts two years. A third or subsequent DUI within ten years lasts three years. Unlike regular violations, DUI convictions remain on your record permanently and cannot be removed by waiting.
How long violations stay on your record
Most traffic violations remain visible on your South Carolina driving record for seven years from the date of conviction. This includes speeding, running a red light, improper lane changes, and similar moving violations. Insurance companies can see these violations during that entire period and may charge higher premiums based on them.
Points, however, drop off after three years. If you received a speeding ticket in January 2022, the points disappear from your license in January 2025, even though the violation itself stays on the record until January 2029. This distinction matters because points determine suspension may be able to access, while the violation history affects insurance rates and employment background checks.
DUI convictions and reckless driving convictions do not have a removal date. They remain on your record permanently unless you pursue expungement through the South Carolina court system. Expungement is a separate legal process that requires filing a petition with the circuit court in the county where you were convicted. It is not automatic and is not may provide.
Correcting errors on your driving record
If your record contains an error—a violation you did not commit, a point value that is wrong, or a suspension that was not properly lifted—you can dispute it. Contact the SCDMV Records Section in writing within 30 days of receiving your record. Include your driver's license number, a description of the error, and any supporting documents such as a court dismissal letter, proof of payment, or a citation showing the correct violation code.
Mail your dispute to SCDMV, P.O. Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016, or email it to the Records Section address listed on the SCDMV website. The SCDMV will investigate by contacting the court or law enforcement agency that reported the violation. This process typically takes 30 to 60 days. You will receive written notice of the outcome.
If the SCDMV denies your dispute, you have the right to request a hearing before the SCDMV Hearing Officer. This is a formal process that requires filing a written request and may involve presenting evidence. An attorney is not required but can help if the error significantly affects your license status or insurance.
Why employers and insurance companies request your record
Employers in certain industries—commercial driving, transportation, security, and positions involving company vehicles—routinely request driving records as part of background checks. They use the record to assess whether you are a safe driver and whether hiring you creates liability for the company. A record with multiple violations or a DUI conviction can disqualify you from these positions.
Insurance companies request your record to set your premium. Violations and at-fault accidents increase your rate. A DUI conviction can cause an insurer to drop you entirely or require you to switch to a high-risk insurer with much higher premiums. Some insurers offer accident forgiveness or violation forgiveness programs that prevent one incident from raising your rate, but these vary by company and policy.
Courts request your record when you are charged with a traffic offense or when a violation is relevant to another case. Prosecutors use it to show a pattern of unsafe driving. Defense attorneys use it to argue for leniency or to challenge the credibility of a witness.
How to reduce points or remove violations from your record
South Carolina does not offer a point reduction program for safe driving, unlike some states. However, you can prevent points from accumulating by avoiding violations. Once points are on your record, they remain for three years and cannot be removed early through a defensive driving course or other action.
The only way to remove a violation from your record before the seven-year period ends is through expungement, which requires a court order. You can petition for expungement if your case was dismissed, you were acquitted, or you received a pardon. You cannot expunge a conviction you were found guilty of, except in limited circumstances such as a DUI reduced to a lesser charge.
If you are facing suspension due to accumulated points, you can request a hearing with the SCDMV to present mitigating circumstances. This does not remove points but may delay or reduce the suspension period. You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the suspension notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a copy of my driving record?
A public record costs around $5 to $7 and a certified record costs around $10 to $12, though prices may vary. Check the SCDMV website for current fees. Online orders are processed faster than mail or in-person requests and may have different pricing.
Can I see my driving record for free?
No, the SCDMV charges a fee for all copies of your record, whether public or certified. However, you can view a summary of your current points and license status for free by logging into your SCDMV online account if you have created one.
Will a violation I paid a ticket for still show on my record?
Yes. Paying a ticket means you paid the fine, not that the violation disappears from your record. The violation remains for seven years. Points remain for three years. Paying the ticket does not change either timeline.
How do I know if my license is suspended?
You can check your license status on the SCDMV website or by calling the SCDMV at 803-896-5000. You will need your driver's license number. If suspended, the notice is also mailed to your address on file, usually 10 days before the suspension takes effect.
Can I request someone else's driving record?
Only the driver, their attorney, an insurance company with a claim, an employer with written consent, or a court can request a record. You cannot request another person's record without their permission or a legal reason. The SCDMV will deny requests that do not meet these criteria.