South Carolina driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from South Carolina Driver's Manual and, where the manual is silent, the South Carolina Code of Laws: S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 1: Driver's License (Articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9), S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 2: Specialized Vehicles (Articles 1, 3 and 4), S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 3: Motor Vehicle Registration and Licensing (Articles 1, 3, 5, 9, 17, 18 and 27), S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 5: Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways, S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 7: Traffic Tickets, S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 9: Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act, S.C. Code Ann. Title 56, Chapter 10: Motor Vehicle Registration and Financial Security, S.C. Code Ann. §§ 61-4-60, 61-4-90 and 61-4-110: Beer and Wine, S.C. Code Ann. §§ 61-6-4020 and 61-6-4070: Alcoholic Liquors, S.C. Code Ann. §§ 63-19-2440 and 63-19-2450: Underage Purchase, Consumption or Possession of Alcohol, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
(2) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers: (a) In front of a public or private driveway. (b) Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant. (c) Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. (d) Within thirty feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway. (e) Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite to any fire station within seventy-five feet of the entrance when properly signposted. (f) At any place where official traffic-control devices prohibit standing.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2530(A)(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
(2) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers: (a) In front of a public or private driveway. (b) Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant. (c) Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. (d) Within thirty feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway. (e) Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite to any fire station within seventy-five feet of the entrance when properly signposted. (f) At any place where official traffic-control devices prohibit standing.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2530(A)(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
(2) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers: (a) In front of a public or private driveway. (b) Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant. (c) Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. (d) Within thirty feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway. (e) Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite to any fire station within seventy-five feet of the entrance when properly signposted. (f) At any place where official traffic-control devices prohibit standing.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2530(A)(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
(3) Park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading property or passengers: (a) Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. (b) At any place where official traffic-control devices prohibit parking.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2530(A)(3)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
(2) Stand or park a vehicle, whether occupied or not, except momentarily to pick up or discharge passengers: (a) In front of a public or private driveway. (b) Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant. (c) Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. (d) Within thirty feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway. (e) Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite to any fire station within seventy-five feet of the entrance when properly signposted. (f) At any place where official traffic-control devices prohibit standing.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2530(A)(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
When parking along a roadway, do not park more than 18 inches from the curb or edge of the pavement. A car left further out sticks into the travel lane and becomes an obstruction for passing traffic.
Do not park more than 18 inches from the curb or edge of pavement.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
You are required to stop for a stopped school bus when driving on a two-lane road, whichever direction you are traveling. On a two-lane road, children crossing from the bus walk straight into the opposite lane too.
You are required to stop for a stopped school bus when driving on a two-lane road.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
When approaching a stopped authorized emergency vehicle, slow down and change into a lane away from it if safe and traffic allows. Officers, medics and tow operators working beside the road are struck by passing traffic, and an empty lane keeps them clear.
Slow down and yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane away from the authorized emergency vehicle, if safety and traffic conditions permit.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to an emergency closer than five hundred feet or stop such vehicle within five hundred feet of any fire apparatus stopped in answer to an emergency.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1960
As of 8 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Turn on your headlights when it begins to get dark or when driving away from a rising or setting sun. Drivers facing a low sun behind you are dazzled and see a dark car late.
When it begins to get dark or when driving away from a rising or setting sun
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Dim your high beams when you are 500 feet or more away from any oncoming vehicle. High beams dazzle an oncoming driver well before you meet, leaving them briefly blind.
Dim your high beams when you are 500 feet or more away from any oncoming vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
The driver and every occupant of a motor vehicle, when it is being operated on the public streets and highways of this State, must wear a fastened safety belt which complies with all provisions of federal law for its use. The driver is charged with the responsibility of requiring each occupant seventeen years of age or younger to wear a safety belt or be secured in a child restraint system as provided in Article 47 of this chapter. However, a driver is not responsible for an occupant seventeen years of age or younger who has a driver's license, special restricted license, or beginner's permit and who is not wearing a seat belt; such occupant is in violation of this article and must be fined in accordance with Section 56-5-6540.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-6520
As of 8 Oct 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
Children age 7 and younger must sit in a car seat in the back seat. Riding in the back keeps a young child away from an inflating front air bag in a collision.
Children age seven and younger must sit in a car seat in the back seat of the vehicle to avoid injury from an air bag in the event of a collision.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A driver under 21 who registers a BAC of 0.02 percent or greater has their privilege to drive suspended immediately for at least 3 months. Zero-tolerance for young drivers means even a trace of alcohol costs the license straight away.
If you are under 21 years of age and register a BAC of 0.02 percent or greater, your privilege to drive will be suspended immediately for at least three months.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
You can lose your driver's license or driving privileges if you refuse to take a breath, blood, or urine test. Without a penalty for refusing, any impaired driver could simply decline the test.
You can lose your driver’s license or driving privileges if you refuse to take a breath, blood, or urine test.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, you must not physically hold or support a mobile electronic device with any part of your body while driving on a public road. Holding a device takes a hand and attention from the wheel, so the law bans the holding itself, not just calls.
Physically hold or support a mobile electronic device with any part of their body,
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
The Hands-Free Act bans reading, writing or sending any form of text while driving, including emails and interactions with applications. Reading and typing take your eyes off the road for seconds at a time, which is long enough to miss a hazard entirely.
Read, write or send any form of text, which includes, but is not limited to, text messages, emails, interactions with applications, or information from websites,
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
State law requires a turn signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning left or right, or merging into traffic. Other road users need time to see the signal and react before you move.
It is state law that you must use a turn signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning left or right, or when merging into traffic.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
Traffic facing a red signal may turn right, except where a sign prohibits a right turn on red. A right turn on red keeps traffic moving where it is safe, while a sign marks the intersections where it is not.
An exception to this rule permits traffic facing a red signal to turn right except where a sign prohibits a right turn on red.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
(3) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicular traffic facing any steady red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right or to turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street after stopping as required by item (1) or (2). Such vehicular traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-970(C)(3)
As of 8 Oct 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: 1. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn. 2. Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being travelled by the overtaking vehicle.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1850(a)
As of 8 Oct 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
It is unlawful for a person to have in his possession, except in the trunk or luggage compartment, beer or wine in an open container in a motor vehicle of any kind while located upon the public highways or highway rights of way of this State. This section must not be construed to prohibit the transporting of beer or wine in a closed container, and this section does not apply to vehicles parked in legal parking places during functions such as sporting events where law enforcement officers are on duty to perform traffic control duties. A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days. For purposes of this section, beer or wine means any beer or wine containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 61-4-110
As of 8 Oct 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
To get a beginner's permit you must be at least 15 years old. Setting a minimum age keeps the first stage of supervised practice for teenagers who can be expected to handle it.
You must be at least 15 years old.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
If you are 17 or under, you must hold your beginner's permit for at least 180 days before you may apply for any type of license. Six months of supervised practice lets a young driver meet rain, night and heavy traffic before driving with fewer restrictions.
You must hold your beginner’s permit for at least 180 days, if you are 17 years old and under,
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
The licensed driver supervising a beginner's permit holder must be at least 21 years old. An older supervisor is more likely to have the judgment to spot trouble and talk a learner through it.
You may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience is in the front seat with you.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
(B) A conditional driver's license is valid only in the operation of vehicles during daylight hours. The holder of a conditional license must be accompanied by a licensed adult twenty-one years of age or older after six o'clock p.m. or eight o'clock p.m. during daylight saving time. A conditional driver's license holder may not drive between midnight and six o'clock a.m. unless accompanied by any licensed individual listed in Section 56-1-100(A)(1-7). The accompanying driver must: (1) occupy a seat beside the conditional license holder when the conditional license holder is operating a motor vehicle; or (2) be within a safe viewing distance of the conditional license holder when the conditional license holder is operating a motorcycle or a moped.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-175(B)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
With a conditional or special restricted license you cannot carry more than 2 passengers under 21 unless a licensed adult who is at least 21 is with you. Each young passenger adds distraction and peer pressure, and crash risk for teen drivers climbs with every one.
You cannot have more than two passengers under 21 in the vehicle with you unless you are with a licensed adult who is at least 21.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?
Besides a fine, a person who breaks the litter law can be directed to pick up litter along the roadsides under the supervision of the court. Making offenders clean the roadside ties the punishment directly to the harm they caused.
You can be fined for litter law violations and also be directed to pick up litter along the roadsides under supervision of the court.
As of 14 Sep 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
(D) For the purposes of this section, a conviction, entry of a plea of guilty or of nolo contendere, or forfeiture of bail for the violation of a law or ordinance of this or another state or a municipality of this or another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, drugs, or narcotics, including, but not limited to, this section, or prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle with an unlawful alcohol concentration, including, but not limited to, Section 56-5-2933, constitutes a prior offense of this section. Only those violations which occurred within a period of ten years including and immediately preceding the date of the last violation constitute prior violations within the meaning of this section.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930(D)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
If a driver 17 or older reaches 12 or more points, the license will be suspended. A dozen points marks a pattern of violations, and suspension takes that driver off the road.
If your point total reaches 12 or more, your license will be suspended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for texting while driving?
A first offense under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act carries a $100 fine. The fine sets a cost on the first violation before points start building on the driving record.
First Offense: $100 fine
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
It shall be unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one to operate or ride upon a two-wheeled motorized vehicle unless he wears a protective helmet of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. Such a helmet must be equipped with either a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides thereof. The department is hereby authorized to adopt and amend regulations covering the types of helmets and the specifications therefor and to establish and maintain a list of approved helmets which meet the specifications as established hereunder.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3660
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
(C) A single sunscreening device may be installed on the side wings or side windows, or both, located at the immediate right and left of the driver and the side windows behind the driver. The sunscreening device must be nonreflective and the combined light transmission of the sunscreening device with the factory or manufacturer installed sunscreening material must not be less than twenty-seven percent.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-5015(C)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
A driver of a motor vehicle must at all times maintain a safe operating distance between the motor vehicle and a bicycle.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3435
As of 8 Oct 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
(b) Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1810(b)
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
(11) "Proof of financial responsibility": Proof of ability to respond to damages for liability, as provided in Section 38-77-150, or, on account of accidents occurring after the effective date of this proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to this limit for one person, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident and in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident;
South Carolina law, S.C. Code Ann. § 56-9-20(11)
As of 8 Oct 2026
Ask a question about South Carolina road law
Easier than searching the manual: ask in your own words — how far from a fire hydrant you may park, when you must stop for a school bus — and the answer comes from South Carolina Driver's Manual or South Carolina’s code, with the page or the section it is in. When neither says, the answer says so rather than guess. Or tick Nationwide and compare every state on one question.