Criminal charges for operating a vehicle during a license suspension or revocation.
In South Carolina, your driver's license can be suspended or revoked for various reasons. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a crime. If you're convicted, you could face expensive fines, additional time without a license, and even jail time.
Reasons for Suspension or Revocation
Under South Carolina law, your license can be suspended or revoked for many alcohol-related offenses, certain criminal convictions, traffic violations, and several reasons unrelated to driving or criminal conduct. Some of the reasons you could lose driving privileges include:
- being convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- refusing to take an alcohol test in violation of the state's implied consent laws
- being under the age of 21 and having a blood alcohol concentration of .02% or more while operating a vehicle
- vehicular manslaughter convictions
- being convicted of gasoline theft
- accumulating too many demerit points from traffic tickets, and
- using a vehicle in the commission of a felony offense.
(S.C. Code §§ 56-1-280, 56-1-286, 56-1-292, 56-1-740, 56-5-2951, 56-1-2990 (2026).)
Many other reasons could lead to the state revoking or suspending your license, including failure to pay child support. (S.C. Code § 56-1-171 (2026).)
Reinstating Your License
The period of time your license is suspended or revoked depends on the reason for the suspension or revocation. Once your period of suspension or revocation expires, your license isn't automatically reinstated. You'll generally have to pay a reinstatement fee of $100 (but some types of suspensions might have higher fees). You also might have to meet other conditions (such as paying child support) before you're allowed to lawfully drive again. (S.C. Code § 56-1-390 (2026).)
Criminal Charges for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
A conviction for driving on a suspended or revoked license generally carries:
- a $300 fine and up to 30 days in jail for a first offense
- a $600 fine and up to 60 days in jail for a second offense within 5 years, and
- a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail for a third offense within 5 years.
(S.C. Code § 56-1-460 (2026).)
But the penalties for offenses that involve alcohol-related suspensions, like driving under the influence, carry more severe consequences. This type of conviction results in:
- a $300 fine and a mandatory minimum of 10 days to 30 days in jail for a first offense
- a $600 fine and a mandatory minimum of 60 days to 6 months in jail for a second violation within 5 years, and
- a $1,000 fine and a mandatory minimum of 6 months to 3 years in jail for a third conviction within 5 years.
(S.C. Code § 56-1-460 (2026).)
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is typically a misdemeanor. Drivers who are convicted of one of these offenses also face an additional period of revocation or suspension. (S.C. Code § 56-1-460, 56-1-500 (2026).)
Legal Help for Charges of Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is a serious offense. If you've been arrested for one of these offenses, it's a good idea to get in contact with a qualified defense attorney who can help you decide how best to handle your situation.
