South Carolina Teen Driver Points: When 6 Points Means Suspension
What happens if I get a ticket with my South Carolina permit or teen license?
If you drive on a beginner's permit, a conditional license or a special restricted license and are convicted of offenses that total 6 or more points, the SCDMV suspends your driving privileges for 6 months. A defensive driving course does not end this suspension. Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit is 6 points by itself.
Where these South Carolina points rules come from
The 6-point rule is in Section 56-1-185 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, and the point values are in Section 56-1-720 of the same title. The SCDMV explains the suspension and the course on its points system page and the teen license rules on its teenage drivers page. The hands-free fines come from Section 56-5-3890, and the warning letters and the under-21 alcohol rule also appear in the South Carolina Driver's Manual (April 2026). This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the SCDMV (scdmvonline.com) before you drive.
How many points South Carolina gives for common offenses
| Offense | Points | Reaches 6 alone? |
|---|---|---|
| Reckless driving | 6 | Yes |
| Passing a stopped school bus | 6 | Yes |
| Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit | 6 | Yes |
| Speeding more than 10 mph but less than 25 mph over | 4 | No |
| Disobeying a traffic control device | 4 | No |
| Failing to yield the right-of-way | 4 | No |
| Speeding no more than 10 mph over | 2 | No |
| Distracted driving, second or later offense | 2 | No |
Who the 6-point rule covers
The law covers anyone who drives on a beginner's permit, a conditional license or a special restricted license. It counts the point-assessable offenses of which you are convicted, and the total can come from one ticket or from several. For example, a 4-point offense and a 2-point offense together reach 6. Hit-and-run with property damage only is also 6 points. To see the rule as a scenario, try our free question on a 16-year-old with 6 points on a special restricted license.
What your points total means for a teen driver
Do points go away after one year?
Points on your record are reduced by half one year after the violation date on the ticket. For example, 4 points from a ticket in June become 2 points in June of the next year.
The law gives the detail for each new violation. Points from violations in the 12 months up to and including that violation count at full value. Points from 12 to 24 months before it count at half value. Points from violations more than 24 months before it do not count.
Can a defensive driving course cancel the suspension?
No. Completing the National Safety Council defensive driving course, or an equivalent, does not end an Excessive Points suspension.
A course can still reduce points in other cases. It takes off 4 points, one time in any three-year period, if you take it after the points are assessed. It must be 8 hours of classroom training in South Carolina. Online is allowed only for the National Safety Council virtual classroom program. If you take the course because your license is in danger of suspension, finish it before the suspension begins. Once the suspension begins, the point reduction does not cancel it.
What else a ticket can cost a teen driver
- The suspension does not replace other penalties. A fine or other penalty for the same violation still applies.
- The points that caused an Excessive Points suspension can also count toward a regular Point System suspension.
- A parent or guardian who knowingly and willfully lets a dependent break permit or license restrictions can get a civil fine of up to $500 under Tyler's Law. If the dependent causes great bodily injury or death, the fine can reach $1,000.
Does the hands-free law add points?
Yes, for a repeat offense. Under the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, a first offense is a $100 fine. A second or later offense is a $200 fine and 2 points. Only offenses in the three years up to and including the last offense count as prior offenses. For the full rules, read our guide to the South Carolina hands-free law.
Key takeaways
- On a beginner's permit, conditional license or special restricted license, 6 or more points means a 6-month suspension.
- Reckless driving, passing a stopped school bus and speeding 25 mph or more over the limit are 6 points each. A 4-point offense plus a 2-point offense also reach 6.
- A defensive driving course does not end an Excessive Points suspension.
- A ticket or an at-fault crash on a conditional or special restricted license also delays the end of your restrictions by 12 months.
- Next step: practice on the free South Carolina Class D practice test.
South Carolina teen driver points: common questions
Do tickets from another state count on my South Carolina record?
Yes. If you are convicted of a traffic violation in South Carolina or in any other state, the conviction is sent to the SCDMV and posted to your record. Breaking the law in another state is one of the ways to get points on your South Carolina driving record.
Does a warning ticket give points in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina law says that warning tickets are not given a point value. Points come with a conviction for an offense in the point schedule, such as speeding or failing to yield. Your driving record lists all your convictions and the points charged against you.
Does the 6-point rule still apply after I turn 17?
It depends on your license, not your age. The rule covers a beginner's permit, a conditional license and a special restricted license, so an adult who drives on a beginner's permit is covered too. With a regular license at 17 or older, the SCDMV sends a letter at 6 points and suspends the license at 12 or more points. A total of 12 to 15 points means a 3-month suspension.
What happens if I drive after drinking under 21 in South Carolina?
If you are under 21 and drive with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent or more, the SCDMV must suspend your license or permit, or refuse to issue one. The suspension starts immediately and lasts at least 3 months. It is separate from the point system, like other mandatory suspensions such as driving under the influence.
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