Many people in South Carolina are legally licensed to drive. However, the right to drive is a privilege that can be taken away or prohibited for a certain period of time if certain circumstances are present. Here are a few of the license penalties that can be imposed in South Carolina and why they occur in the first place.

 License Withdrawal

A person can have his or her driver’s license withdrawn when the Department of Motor Vehicles determines that the driver is not eligible to retain his or her right to drive. In some cases, a driver may have his or her license withdrawn after violating a traffic law.

 License Revocation

License revocations and suspensions are similar, but most revocation periods last longer than suspension periods. A person may have his or her license revoked if he or she races on a public street, commits a felony with a motor vehicle, or does not stop after being involved in an accident. If a driver has his or her driver’s license revoked, it is as if he or she never had a license to begin with. For this reason, the driver must complete a new license application after he or she becomes eligible to drive once more.

 License Cancellation

The DMV might cancel a driver’s license when it is discovered that the right to drive should never have been extended in the first place. In most cases, the license cancellation process will occur after a person provides false or inaccurate information.

 License Suspension

A person who has his or her license suspended will have his or her driving privileges taken away for a set period of time. After the suspension period is over, the driver must meet certain requirements to restore his or her license. For example, the driver may be required to take a written exam before applying for reinstatement.  Suspension usually occurs after a traffic violation is committed. For example, a person may have his or her license suspended if he or she:

• Receives a DUI after operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Receives two or more reckless driving citations within a five-year period
• Commits several traffic violations that result in too many points being accumulated on his or her driver’s license 

Drivers who are at risk of having their license suspended may have concerns about how this legal action will affect their daily life and finances. In this situation, drivers should reach out to the attorneys at Nosal & Jeter, LLP for legal assistance.