How and Why to Obtain Your Driving Record
In South Carolina, the Department of Motor Vehicles can place points on your driving record following a traffic violation or infraction. It is important for drivers to know the standing of their license in order to prevent further penalties.
Viewing Your Driving Record
You have several options for obtaining your driving record. The first is to call or go to the office of the DMV and request it. However, this can be extremely time consuming. Fortunately, the state’s DMV has an online certified driving record request tool that can generate your information based on the following information:
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- Your driver’s license number
Once you input the data, you are immediately taken to a screen that will show you how many points you have against your record as well as your driving privileges. You can also see if your license has been suspended and the final date of that suspension.
Why Check Your Driving Record?
There are several reasons that you may find viewing your driving record helpful:
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Look for Inaccuracies
It is possible that your information is not up to date. For example, if you took a defensive driving course to reduce the number of points on your license, it should be reflected on your record. If you suspect that something on your driving record is incorrect, you can contact the DMV and take the suggested steps to rectify the issue.
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Calculate Points
One of the best reasons to view your record is to assess how many points you have against your license. The DMV assigns points to your license based on traffic offenses such as speeding or drunk driving. Once you have accumulated six points, the DMV will send you a letter. If you reach 12 points or more, the DMV can suspend your license. Drivers who are concerned about the number of points they have can participate in driving courses that will reduce the total. Additionally, one year after a violation, the DMV will cut in half the points assigned to your record for the offense.
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Determine When a License Suspension Is Over
A suspended or revoked license can have a major effect on your personal and professional life. If your license has been suspended and you are unsure of when the period is over, you can check your record to obtain the date. This may help you make plans for employment or otherwise.
At Nosal & Jeter, LLP our goal is to help clients preserve a clean driving records. We have seen first hand how beneficial it is to fight traffic tickets. Allow us to help you keep points off your driving records and avoid license suspensions.