Will a DUI Conviction Affect Your Driver’s License?
Yes. A DUI conviction in South Carolina will suspend your driver’s license. How long the suspension lasts depends on factors such as whether it’s a first offense, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC), and whether you refused a chemical test.
If you’re facing a DUI charge in Columbia or anywhere in South Carolina, The Law Office of Jonathan M. Harvey provides experienced DUI defense representation. In this article, we explain how a DUI conviction affects your driving privileges and what to expect under South Carolina law.
Can Your License Be Suspended Before a DUI Conviction?
Yes. In some situations, your driver’s license can be suspended before your DUI case goes to trial. Under South Carolina’s implied consent law, refusing a breath, blood, or urine test results in a 90-day license suspension. If you have a prior alcohol-related conviction or suspension within the previous 10 years, the suspension increases to 180 days.
If you request an administrative hearing, you may qualify for a Temporary Alcohol License (TAL) while your suspension is being reviewed. A TAL costs $100 and allows eligible drivers to continue driving during that process.
This license suspension is separate from your criminal DUI case. Even if your license is suspended through the administrative process, your DUI charge must still be resolved in court.
License Suspension Periods for DUI Offenses
A DUI conviction results in a driver’s license suspension or revocation. The length depends on the offense and your prior DUI history.
- First DUI: 6-month suspension
- Second DUI: 1-year suspension
- Third DUI: 2-year suspension, or 4 years if the third offense occurs within 5 years of the first offense
- Fourth or Subsequent DUI: Permanent revocation
- Felony DUI Causing Great Bodily Injury: License revocation for the length of the sentence, probation, parole, or suspended sentence, plus 3 years
- Felony DUI Causing Death: License revocation for the length of the sentence, probation, parole, or suspended sentence, plus 5 years
Before your driving privileges can be restored, you may also need to complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP), pay a $100 reinstatement fee, provide SR-22 insurance, and install an ignition interlock device, depending on your offense.
Facing a DUI in South Carolina?
A DUI charge doesn’t always have the same effect on your driver’s license. Your driving record and the circumstances surrounding your arrest play an important role in determining the potential consequences. An experienced DUI defense attorney can explain what to expect and help you understand your legal options.
If you’re facing a DUI charge in Columbia or anywhere in South Carolina, contact The Law Office of Jonathan M. Harvey. Jonathan M. Harvey has represented clients in South Carolina criminal courts for decades and is ready to discuss your case and your legal options. Call 803-779-3363 or complete our online form to schedule a confidential consultation.