Are South Carolina DMV records public? This question is about Driving Record Check

Yes, certain South Carolina DMV records are public. The South Carolina DMV maintains records of registrations, license information, and crashes, and prepares statistical reports that may be accessed by the public, but your driving record is only available to you, authorized groups, and individuals who have your official consent. Authorized groups can include potential employers, law enforcement, or insurance companies. How You Can Request Public South Carolina DMV Records Online. Visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website and submit a Freedom of Information Act Request form. By email. Email the same request form to dmvcommunications@scdmv.net. By mail. Mail the request form to South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles / ATTN: Strategic Communications / PO Box 1498 / Blythewood, SC 29016-0009. To request a copy of your own South Carolina driving record, go to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website, click "Driver Services", then "Get my driving record". You will then get a PDF copy of your driving record. To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to checking your driving record.

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Are South Carolina DMV records public?

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This question is about Driving Record Check

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Delaney Simchuk, Car Insurance Writer

@delaney_simchuk • 11/09/22 This answer was first published on 11/09/22. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

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Yes, certain South Carolina DMV records are public. The South Carolina DMV maintains records of registrations, license information, and crashes, and prepares statistical reports that may be accessed by the public, but your driving record is only available to you, authorized groups, and individuals who have your official consent. Authorized groups can include potential employers, law enforcement, or insurance companies.

How You Can Request Public South Carolina DMV Records

Online. Visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website and submit a Freedom of Information Act Request form.
By email. Email the same request form to [email protected]
By mail. Mail the request form to South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles / ATTN: Strategic Communications / PO Box 1498 / Blythewood, SC 29016-0009.

To request a copy of your own South Carolina driving record, go to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website, click "Driver Services", then "Get my driving record". You will then get a PDF copy of your driving record.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to checking your driving record.

Answer Question

How long do tickets stay on your record in South Carolina?

South Carolina does not disclose how long tickets stay on your record. Tickets on your South Carolina driving record can affect your driver's license points, driving privileges, and car insurance rates. The state will suspend your driver’s license if you receive 12 points in a year, which could be caused by six minor speeding tickets or two major speeding tickets.… read full answer

Still, bear in mind that the amount of time a ticket stays on your record in South Carolina might be different from how long the ticket will affect your car insurance rates. For instance, most car insurance companies check the past three years of your driving record when calculating premiums. But the length of time varies, and certain offenses may disqualify you from a good driver discount for more than three years.

For more information and to find out how to check your South Carolina driving record, see WalletHub’s complete guide to driving records.

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What is a clean driving record in South Carolina?

A clean driving record in South Carolina is one without any accidents, points or moving violations. Claims aren’t usually included in the definition of a clean driving record, but a record that’s also free of any recent claims does look cleaner. You can check your South Carolina driving record by going to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles … read full answer website and requesting a copy of your driving record.

Characteristics of a Clean Driving Record in South Carolina

3-5 years without any points assigned to your license

3-5 years without any accidents

1 year without any traffic tickets or moving violations

10+ years without any major violations such as DUIs or hit-and-runs

7 years without filing any insurance claims (not always included in the definition of a clean record)

In South Carolina, you may be able to remove points from your driving record by taking state-approved defensive driving courses. This may not completely clear your driving record, but it’s a good way to begin.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guide to checking your driving record.

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Does a defensive driving course remove points in South Carolina?

Yes, taking a defensive driving course can remove points from your driving record in South Carolina. By completing a South Carolina DMV-approved defensive driving course, you can remove up to 4 points from your driving record, and you may be eligible for a discount on your insurance, too.

Taking a Defensive Driving Course to Remove Points in South Carolina… read full answer

You can only take a defensive driving class to remove points from your record once every 3 years.

Defensive driving courses in South Carolina cost anywhere from $80 to $100.

South Carolina defensive driving courses are available to take either in person or online throught the National Safety Council.

Your insurer may offer a discount for taking a defensive driving course.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s guides to driver’s license points and defensive driving courses.

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