South Carolina DUI Laws – 1st Offense
First offense for BAC under .10% results in license suspension for 6 months, a fine of $400, jail time from 48 hours to 30 days and 48 hours of Public Service Employment.
For BAC .10%-.159%, license suspension for 6 months, fine of $500, jail time from 72 hours to 30 days and 72 hours of Public Service Employment.
For BAC .16% or greater, license suspension for 6 months, fine of $1,000, jail time from 30 to 90 days, and 30 days of Public Service Employment.
South Carolina DUI Laws – 2nd Offense
Second offense for BAC under .10% results in license suspension for 1 year, fines from $2,100-$5,100, and jail time from 5 days to 1 year.
For BAC .10%-.159%, license suspension for 1 year, fines from $2,500-$5,500, and jail time from 30 days to 2 years.
For BAC .16% or greater, license suspension for 1 year, fines from $3,500-$6,500, and jail time from 90 days to 3 years.
South Carolina DUI Laws – 3rd Offense
Third offense for BAC under .10% results in license suspension for 2 years, fines from $3,800-$6,300, and jail time from 60 days to 3 years.
For BAC .10%-.159%, license suspension for 2 years, fines from $5,000-$7,500, and jail time from 90 days to 4 years.
For BAC .16% or greater, license suspension for 2 years, fines from $7,500-$10,000, and jail time from 6 months to 5 years.
South Carolina DUI Laws – 4th Offense
Fourth offense for BAC under .10% results in permanent license suspension and jail time from 1 to 5 years.
For BAC .10%-.159%, permanent license suspension and jail time from 2 to 6 years.
For BAC .16% or greater, permanent license suspension and jail time from 3 to 7 years.
South Carolina DUI Laws – Implied Consent Laws
Anyone driving a vehicle in South Carolina has given implied consent to submit to a BAC test. Refusal results in an automatic 1 year license suspension, and may be used in court against you.
South Carolina DUI Laws – “Per se” BAC Level
The per se BAC level in South Carolina is .08% meaning anyone driving a vehicle with a BAC of .o8% or over can be charged with dui regardless of driving performance.
South Carolina DUI Laws – “Zero Tolerance” BAC Level
The zero tolerance BAC level in South Carolina is .o2%. Anyone under the age of 21 driving with a BAC of .02% or greater can be charged with DUI.
South Carolina DUI Laws – “Enhanced Penalty” BAC Level
There are enhanced penalties in South Carolina that determine the penalty level for each offense.
