South Carolina Reckless Driving
A reckless driving conviction in South Carolina could cost you up to $200 in fines, six points on your driving record, and possible jail time up to 30 days.
Written by Melanie Johnson
Edited by Kathryn Kurlychek
A reckless driving charge in South Carolina carries penalties of up to $200 in fines, up to 30 days in jail, and six points on your driving record. Your license may also be suspended for three months or longer. Reckless vehicular homicide convictions carry penalties of up to $5,000 in fines and up to 10 years in prison.
- You may already know that speeding can earn you a ticket and putpoints on your driving record—but if your speed is excessive, you may be charged with reckless driving.
- The term “reckless driving” covers a broad range of poor driving behaviors that put the safety of other drivers at risk.
- Reckless driving is a traffic violation that can carry misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the circumstances and the severity of the offense.
How reckless driving is defined in South Carolina
According to the S.C. Code of Laws, the state of South Carolina defines reckless driving as operating a motor vehicle “in such a manner as to indicate either a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
What does that mean? The term "willful" refers to behavior that is deliberate or intentional, while “wanton” refers to behavior that the person understood to be wrong, but chose to do anyway.
Examples of behavior that constitute a reckless driving charge include:
- Driving 25 mph or more above the speed limit
- Driving too fast for the weather conditions (e.g. in heavy rain)
- Drag racing
- Driving with faulty brakes
- Erratic lane changes
- Failure to signal or yield to drivers with the right-of-way
Ultimately, what’s considered to be reckless driving is at the discretion of South Carolina law enforcement, the DMV, and/or a judge to determine whether your unsafe driving behavior warrants a reckless driving charge.
The penalties for reckless driving in South Carolina
A reckless driving charge is a misdemeanor in South Carolina. This is a criminal charge, which means it won’t go away just by paying a fine.
Misdemeanor crimes carry penalties of possible jail time and/or license suspension, and you will have penalty points added to your
South Carolina driving record
.If the reckless driving violation resulted in the death of another person, the charge automatically is upgraded to reckless vehicular homicide, which is a felony in South Carolina.
The penalties for reckless driving increase in severity depending on whether it’s a first offense, second offense, or subsequent reckless driving offense over a five-year period.
According to South Carolina traffic law, a first-time reckless driving offense may carry the following penalties:
- Fines: $25 to $200 in fines
- Jail time: Up to 30 days of possible jail time
- Driving record points: 6 penalty points
For a second-time offense, or for subsequent offenses, the penalties are the same but with the addition of a mandatory three-month license suspension. License reinstatement following a reckless driving conviction comes with additional fines of at least $100.
Additionally, the state will also
suspend your driver’s license
whenever you accrue 12 points in one year—which may be caused by two counts of reckless driving.State law classifies reckless homicide as a more serious crime than reckless driving—making the financial and legal repercussions more severe:
- Fines: $1,000 to $5,000
- Prison time: Up to 10 years
- Driving record points: 6 penalty points
- License suspension: 5 year minimum revocation of driver’s license
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How to remove a reckless driving charge from your record
To remove points added to your record following a reckless driving charge, you may enroll in a
defensive driving course
. The South Carolina DMV allows drivers to take one defensive driving course for the purpose of point reduction once every three years.If you decide not to enroll in a defensive driving course, you’ll have to wait a full twelve months before the DMV will reduce the number of points assigned to the violation by half. In other words, waiting a year will automatically lower the number of points accrued by a reckless driving infraction from six to three points on your license.
That being said, South Carolina does not disclose how long points stay on your record.
MORE: How to get car insurance with a bad driving record
Reckless driving increases car insurance costs
On average, you can expect your insurance rates to increase by about 51% if you’re charged with reckless driving in South Carolina.
Reckless driving is a serious traffic offense that carries strict legal and financial consequences in South Carolina. You’re better off avoiding the charge in the first place by practicing safe driving behaviors.
Taking a defensive driving course is a great idea—so is brushing up on some
safe driving tips
. You’ll likely be able to keep your current rate for a few months after a reckless driving charge. However, when it’s time to renew your policy, your insurance company will likely raise your premium—so you will benefit from
shopping for a new rate
.“I saw an ad forJerryon Instagram and decided to give it a try. I have a terrible driving record, but Nathan still helped me. Before, almost no one wanted to insure me. Now, I have a great policy and save $200/month. I’m one happy gal!” —Terri C.
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FAQs
Can you go to jail for reckless driving in South Carolina?
Yes. A reckless driving charge in South Carolina is considered a misdemeanor, and is punishable by up to 30 days in jail. Reckless driving that results in the death of another motorist is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
What is the minimum penalty for reckless driving in South Carolina?
The minimum penalty for reckless driving in South Carolina is a $25 fine.
What’s the difference between reckless driving and aggressive driving?
Reckless driving refers to drivers engaging in unsafe driving behavior—like speeding, tailgating, or running a red light—while aggressive driving means driving with the intent to scare or harass other drivers. Aggressive driving is commonly referred to as road rage.
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