How to get your license back after a DUI in South Carolina
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV); Ignition Interlock Device Program administered by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Become eligible: for violations on or after May 19, 2024, a first offender ends the DUI suspension by enrolling in the Ignition Interlock Device Program
S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A)(2) provides that for a first offense the person shall enroll in the IID Program, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license; SCDPPPS states offenders become eligible once any required suspension period is satisfied and receive an eligibility letter.
What the source says
“For a first offense, a person shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license pursuant to Section 56-1-400.”
- 2
Enroll in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP)
SCDPPPS states that ADSAP enrollment is required before installing the device; § 56-5-2990(B) makes entry into recommended services a mandatory requirement for issuance of the ignition interlock restricted license.
What the source says
“Prior to installing the BAIID, you must enroll in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP).”
- 3
Receive the SCDPPPS eligibility letter (STEP 1)
SCDPPPS states the person receives a letter notifying them that they are eligible to participate in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and may have the device installed.
What the source says
“You will receive a letter from the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services notifying you that you are eligible to participate in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and may have the device installed.”
- 4
Install the BAIID through a certified manufacturer's service center (STEP 2)
SCDPPPS states the device is installed at a service center of an approved manufacturer, with return visits at least every 60 days for inspection.
What the source says
“You will be required to return to the service center at least once every 60 days to have the device inspected.”
- 5
Obtain the Ignition Interlock Restricted License from SCDMV (STEP 3)
SCDPPPS states program participation begins only once the II Restricted License is obtained by presenting the installation certificate to SCDMV; § 56-1-400(C) sets the license fee at $100 and (D) requires the provider's written installation notification.
What the source says
“Your participation in the program will only begin once you have obtained the Ignition Interlock (II) Restricted License.”
- 6
Pay the SCDMV reinstatement fee
SCDMV states a $100 reinstatement fee is required for each suspension unless another amount is required, payable at a branch, online, or by mail; a payment plan may be available above $200.
What the source says
“A $100 reinstatement fee is required for each suspension unless another amount is required. You can pay reinstatement fees at any branch office.”
- 7
Complete the full interlock term and the ADSAP plan for full restoration
The device must remain for six months (first offense) with the restriction maintained on the license for that period (§ 56-1-400(B)); § 56-5-2990(B) makes successful completion of recommended ADSAP services a mandatory requirement of full restoration of driving privileges.
What the source says
“Successful completion of the services, if the services are necessary, recommended in the plan of education or treatment, or both, developed for the person is a mandatory requirement of the full restoration of driving privileges to the person whose license is suspended pursuant to this section.”
Official reinstatement page: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV); Ignition Interlock Device Program administered by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — details |
| Ignition interlock | South Carolina interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) |
| Driving during the suspension | Ignition interlock restricted license (S.C. Code § 56-1-400(C)) |
Required program: Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP)
Under S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(B), SCDMV notifies the suspended person of the requirement to enroll in and complete an ADSAP certified by the Office of Substance Use Services; an assessment is prepared and a plan of education or treatment developed. Entry into recommended services is a mandatory requirement for the ignition interlock restricted license, and completion is mandatory for full restoration. § 56-5-2990(C) caps costs at $500 for education, $2,000 for treatment, and $2,500 total.
“must be notified by the department of the suspension and of the requirement to enroll in and successfully complete an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program certified by the Office of Substance Use Services.”
Driving during the suspension: Ignition interlock restricted license (S.C. Code § 56-1-400(C))
Under § 56-1-400, the license conspicuously identifies the person as limited to interlock-equipped vehicles, the restriction is maintained for the full interlock period, the fee is $100, and no such license may be issued without the provider's written installation notification. A person who chooses not to install the device remains suspended indefinitely (§ 56-1-400(E)). SCDMV states that for violations dated May 19, 2024 or later, the provisional license and route-restricted license are no longer issued for first-offense DUI/DUAC and BAC .15/implied-consent suspensions.
“no ignition interlock restricted license may be issued by the department without written notification from the authorized ignition interlock service provider that the ignition interlock device has been installed and confirmed to be in working order.”
When the interlock can be removed
Term-based, not violation-window based: the device must remain for the statutory term (six months for a first offense under § 56-5-2990(A)(2); two years second; three years third; lifetime fourth) and the license restriction is maintained for that period (§ 56-1-400(B)). Under § 56-5-2941(E) the SCDPPPS point system extends the term by two months (2 to under 3 points) or four months with a substance-abuse assessment (3 to under 4 points), and four or more points suspends the restricted license for six months. SCDPPPS states the full term must be completed to finish the program. Lifetime/fourth-offense participants may apply to SCDPPPS for removal after five years (§ 56-5-2941). No early-removal provision for first offenders and no removal fee cap were found.
Compliance period: none stated (full statutory term; extended by accumulated interlock points)
“the restriction must be maintained on the license for the duration of the period for which the ignition interlock device must be maintained pursuant to Section 56-1-286; 56-1-1090; 56-5-2945; 56-5-2951; 56-5-2990; or 56-5-2947”
Questions about reinstatement in South Carolina
- How does a first-offense DUI suspension end in South Carolina?
- For violations dated on or after May 19, 2024, S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A)(2) provides that a first offender shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license, with the device affixed for six months. SCDMV states an IID is required to clear DUI/DUAC suspensions for those violation dates.
- What are the steps SCDPPPS lists for getting the interlock device?
- The SCDPPPS brochure lists three steps: receive an eligibility letter from SCDPPPS (after enrolling in ADSAP), have the device installed by an approved manufacturer with inspections at least every 60 days, and present the installation certificate to SCDMV to obtain the Ignition Interlock Restricted License, after which program time begins.
- When is the interlock removed in South Carolina?
- The statutes set fixed terms rather than a violation-free window: six months for a first offense (§ 56-5-2990(A)(2)), with the restriction maintained on the license for that period (§ 56-1-400(B)). Under § 56-5-2941(E), accumulated interlock points extend the term by two or four months, and four or more points suspend the restricted license for six months.
Sources
- SCDMV - License Reinstatement
- SCDMV - Pay Reinstatement Fees
- SCDPPPS - Understanding the IID Program brochure (May 2024), Steps 1-3
- SCDPPPS - Program Procedures (IID policy effective May 19, 2024)
- S.C. Code Title 56, Chapter 5 (§ 56-5-2941 IID program; § 56-5-2990 suspension, IID terms, ADSAP)
- S.C. Code Title 56, Chapter 1 (§ 56-1-400 ignition interlock restricted license)