How do Points on Driver’s License Affect Insurance in South Carolina


In the US State of South Carolina, drivers can get penalty points or a demerit point where their driving license can be canceled or suspended. A driving license can be suspended or canceled based on the number of penalty points accumulated by South Carolina State drivers over some time because of the traffic offenses or infringements they committed during that period.

You can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for your State to check your penalty points. To check If Speeding Points Affect Insurance, read our article.

How do Points on a Driver’s License Affect Insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, driver’s license points affect insurance premium costs. Based on our case study, the average car insurance premium in South Carolina is $1,129 per year for no violation points. If you get driving penalty points for a fault accident, your insurance premium cost will increase by an average of 21%, which will be $1,307 on average. Racing or reckless driving points can grow up to 60% of your insurance premium policy, so these offenses generate an average insurance cost of $1,752 in South Carolina.

However, each insurance company has its driving points records ranking system. For the same offenses or penalty points, you can have different insurance premium increases in various companies.

For example, Nationwide can increase the insurance policy by 10% for a same-fault accident in South Carolina, while Allstate and Progressive insurance can increase up to 38%.

How long do points stay on your driving record in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, points stay on your driving record for up to 2 years before being erased. After one year, points on your record are reduced by half. You can take additional driving courses to reduce the points on your driving license faster.

How much do 2 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, on average, 2 penalty points affect a 6% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will not increase your car insurance coverage policy, some can increase costs by up to 60%.

How much do 3 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, on average, three penalty points will affect a 7% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will not increase your car insurance coverage policy, others can increase costs by up to 72%.

How much do 4 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, 4 penalty points will affect an average 6% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will not increase your car insurance coverage policy, some can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 5 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, five penalty points will affect an average 9% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 6 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, six penalty points will affect an average 9% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 7 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, 7 penalty points will affect an average 20% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, some can increase costs up to 100%.

How much do 8 points affect insurance in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, eight penalty points will affect an average 47% premium insurance increase. However, while some insurance companies will increase your car insurance coverage policy by just a few percent, others can increase costs up to 100%.

The length of a suspension period for any South Carolina license holder

  • As points accumulate, so does the length of the license suspension, including:
  • 12 to 15 points: Three months.
  • 16 or 17 points: Four months18 to 19 points: Five months.

Offense and driving points record in South Carolina

Violation Number of Points Assigned
Driving in the improper lane 2
Operating a vehicle in an unsafe condition 2
Improper, dangerous parking 2
Speeding ten mph or less over the limit 2
Following too closely 4
Failing to give a signal or giving an improper signal when stopping, turning, or suddenly decreasing speed 4
Turning unlawfully 4
Passing unlawfully 4
Driving on the wrong side of the road 4
Failing to yield the right of way 4
Speeding 10-25 miles per hour over the limit 4
Speeding more than 25 miles per hour over the limit 6
Hit & run, property damage only 6
Passing stopped school bus 6
Reckless driving 6
Jason Martin

Jason Martin

Jason Martin is an experienced and knowledgeable professional in the insurance industry, with over 26 years of relevant knowledge under his belt. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Jason got Actuary Insurance Certification in 2005. From 2022., Jason writes educational insurance articles for Promtinsurance.com. Please read : Jason Martin biography Write email: jason@promtinsurance.com

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