How Do I Get My Driver’s License Back After a DUI in South Carolina?
Being able to drive is vitally important to most people in South Carolina. Losing your driver’s license can have a devastating impact on you and your family. Living without a license isn’t just an inconvenience. It can make the difference between maintaining a job and unemployment.
That’s why restoring your driver’s license after a DUI arrest is likely your top priority. However, to restore driving privileges to your license, you need to know what your license revocation means, how long it will last, and how you can fight to minimize the damage. Did you lose your driver’s license after a DUI in South Carolina? If so, you may be wondering, “How do I get my license back after a DUI?“. Here’s how to get your license back after a DUI in South Carolina. The South Carolina DMV is responsible for reviewing and approving license reinstatement requests. Getting your driver’s license back after a DUI arrest will always include the completion of an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. You will also have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee. You may also be required to get an SR22 insurance certificate from your insurance company.
The DUI defense lawyers at Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers understand that the punishment for a simple mistake can have a major impact on your life. We are here to help explain what your license suspension means, and what you can do about it so you can begin planning for your future. If you have been arrested on suspicion of DUI, contact us by phone or online as soon as possible for help.
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- How long will my driver’s license revocation last?
- SC Drivers license restoration requirements
- License suspension hearings and appeals
- Contact us
How Long Will My Drivers License Revocation Last?
A license can be suspended or revoked for a number of reasons. While this article will primarily deal with DUIs, your license might also have been suspended for anything from accumulating too many points on your driving record (12 or more in South Carolina) to not paying your speeding tickets.
Different causes for driver’s license suspension can lead to different lengths of revocation, and there is even some flexibility within an offense. For instance, accumulating too many traffic points can be anywhere from a three- to six-month suspension.
Your suspension length is highly dependent on your driving history and the severity of the charges in the case of a DUI. The length of suspension will likely fall between six months and three years.
However, if you are caught driving on a suspended license, that suspension can be lengthened, even potentially doubling the initial suspension.
For those looking for a quick way to restore their driver’s license after a DUI, this is perhaps bad news, but there are ways to work around this system. One option is to apply for a restricted driver’s license. If you have a valid South Carolina driver’s license, have already enrolled in an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program, have already placed an SR22 on file with the South Carolina DMV, and have no other pending suspensions on your record, you can pay a relatively small fee ($100) and receive a restricted license that allows you to avoid some of the more severe consequences of a suspended license such as the risk of job loss.
There may be other methods to improve the outlook of your suspension, as we will discuss further below. No matter what, it is advised you speak with a South Carolina DUI attorney near you in order to help you through the process. Check out our South Carolina DUI FAQ for more answers to your questions.
South Carolina Drivers License Restoration Requirements
Just as the length of your license revocation will depend on the specifics of your driving history and your DUI charges, so too there is some flexibility in the requirements to restore your license.
Getting your driver’s license back after a DUI arrest will always include the completion of an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program. You will also have to pay a $100 reinstatement fee.
You may also be required to get an SR22 insurance certificate from your insurance company, which must be maintained for a specific period of time, usually at least three years. The SR22 certificate proves you have liability coverage, and is a standard requirement after a DUI arrest.
There may be other requirements to get your license back as well, including paying any other fines included in your sentence by the court. All fines can be paid online with the South Carolina DMV. For those who cannot afford to pay their fees all at once, there are reinstatement payment plans available.
If you have had multiple DUIs, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device. These devices test the level of alcohol or other drugs in your system before allowing you to start your vehicle.
Whatever the requirements, you will be expected to meet them after the period of suspension has been concluded. These are additional steps to restore your driver’s license after a DUI, not a separate path to restoration.
South Carolina Drivers License Suspension Hearings & Appeals
Finding a way to restore driving privileges as soon as possible is the goal of most anyone who is dealing with a suspended license. The good news is that there may be a reason to reduce your suspension or remove the suspension entirely.
South Carolina offers a system of suspension hearings and appeals to review your case to make sure the sentencing was fair, and that guilt was well established.
In order to contest your license suspension and argue to restore your driver’s license after a DUI, you can contact the South Carolina Administrative Law Court by calling (803) 734-0550. Or, you can go to the court and request a hearing in person at:
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 224
Edgar A. Brown Building
Columbia, SC 29201
If you decide to pursue an appeal, you should hire a qualified Columbia DUI defense lawyer to represent you. A DUI defense lawyer near you will have the expertise to advise you on your best strategy to reduce your suspension or overturn it entirely.
Get Your Driver’s License Back With Help from an Experienced South Carolina DUI Defense Attorney
If your license was suspended after a DUI in or around Lexington or Columbia, contact us by phone or chat with us live to set up an appointment today. We will work hard to get you back on the road and back to your life as soon as possible.
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I was charged with a dui in July 2021. Immediately called Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers, right out the gate they where understanding, compassionate, and extremely friendly, the entire staff! Tayler Bell took my case got it dropped to a reckless driving charge, dui dropped! He gave me his personal cell and would call me keeping me updated on the case. Because I didn’t blow in the breathalyzer that was automatically 6 month license suspension. Even tho the criminal part is over he’s still fighting that. He works for you! Period! Great people, great staff, if you need a lawyer don’t hesitate to call these guys you won’t regret it!
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I was charged with a dui in July 2021. Immediately called Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers, right out the gate they where understanding, compassionate, and extremely friendly, the entire staff! Tayler Bell took my case got it dropped to a reckless driving charge, dui dropped! He gave me his personal cell and would call me keeping me updated on the case. Because I didn’t blow in the breathalyzer that was automatically 6 month license suspension. Even tho the criminal part is over he’s still fighting that. He works for you! Period! Great people, great staff, if you need a lawyer don’t hesitate to call these guys you won’t regret it!
I hired the Jeffcoat firm after meeting with them on a Saturday which I thought was exceptionally nice to meet me and they are based in Columbia South Carolina.
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Every case is different. You should not believe your case will get the same result.
