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 The Jeffcoat Firm 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
The South Carolina DUI attorneys at The Jeffcoat Firm don’t want you to lose the driving privileges that you depend on. We are ready to advocate for you to reduce or remove your suspension. You can read what some of our happy clients had to say on our testimonials page.
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.
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.
Everything turned out OK and I had no fear that this law firm would get the job done and I certainly would hire them again should the need ever arise.
I was charged with a dui in July 2021. Immediately called the jeffcoat firm, 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!
The Jeffcoat law firm is amazing, very professional and communication is great. Mike Hemlepp Represented me and he was very helpful and answered every question I had. The entire staff from Mr jeffcoat to the ladies that work the front office were very helpful throughout my time using them. If your looking for the best lawyers reach out to the Jeffcoat firm they are the best!
I was charged with a dui in July 2021. Immediately called the jeffcoat firm, 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 was arrested for a DUI in Kershaw County SC. I immediately hired the Jeffcoat law firm specifically Mr. Bell. Due to his specific knowledge and his professionalism he found that the charges where not correct. All charges where dismissed. I would recommend Mr bell 100 times over.
The JeffCoat Law firm is the go to place to have all your legal needs answered. They’re quick to respond and the whole team are nothing but professionals. Mr. Taylor Bell helped me so much with me case and has the accolades to prove why he is the best lawyer in South Carolina. If I have anymore legal troubles (I hope not) the JeffCoat law firm will be the first number I will call! I highly recommend!
The Jeffcoat Firm helped me in an honest, professional way throughout my time with them. I am appreciative of all of their hard work and dedication to their craft.
There aren’t proper words to describe the talents, professionalism, responsiveness, or reassurances of Taylor Bell. He answered my first call to him while doing yard work … on a weekend… to assure me that he could and would help me with my case. And he did. His knowledge, expertise, and calm but straight forward approach to me personally and my issue most importantly will NEVER be forgotten. This man, and the entire staff at the Jeffcoat Firm, are an asset to the community needing legal representation at large. There aren’t enough stars to rate what I thought about their professionalism, rapid response, great communication, and their successful defense of me in court. If you’re looking for a fair, honest, pleasant, intelligent, and talented attorney, I urge you to look no further than Taylor Bell and the team at The Jeffcoat Law Firm. They quite literally saved my career and my life!!!
The Jeffcoat Firm went above and beyond for my case! The staff and assigned attorney Taylor Bell were not only instrumental in the success of my case, but kept me well-informed of the court process and proceedings throughout the duration [of the case] so that I was cognizant of what was occurring. Their knowledge, talent, and implementation of the law is truly awe-inspiring! I cannot recommend a better firm that will have your overall best interest and well-being not only as a client, but as a person. They genuinely desire seeing [the client] succeed.
Taylor Bell genuinely cares about your well-being. He will respond to any questions or concerns you may have as quickly as possible. Totally worth it to have him on your side in any court situation. I definitely appreciate his support and directness during the duration of my case. Awesome dude! He should be president.
This is by far the greatest team of people to handle your case. They constantly check up on you and your well-being. They are out to do what is best for you. I’d leave 100 starts if I could and recommend them to anyone.
Every case is different. You should not believe your case will get the same result.
