In South Carolina, your driver's license can be suspended or revoked for a range of 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.
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:
Believe it or not, you could also face license suspension for failing to pay child support. And there are lots of other reasons that could lead to the state revoking or suspending 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 and might have to meet other conditions (such as paying child support) before you're allowed to lawfully drive again.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is typically a misdemeanor. Generally, a conviction carries:
But the penalties for offenses that involved alcohol-related suspensions like driving under the influence carry more severe consequences. This type of conviction results in:
Drivers who are convicted of one of these offenses might also face an additional period of revocation or suspension.
Driving on a suspended or revoked license is s 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.