When drivers in South Carolina are fined for speeding, reckless driving or any other type of traffic offense, not only do they worry about paying the fine, but they also worry about the impact the offense will have on their driving record. In some situations, drivers may be able to lessen the impact a traffic offense has on their driving record by participating in and completing a defensive driving course.

Topics Covered

Although most defensive driving courses vary in terms of what is covered, drivers may learn about the specifics of traffic laws and how to drive more defensively to avoid accidents as they are on the road. Drivers may also learn how to be a more responsible driver and how different violations can affect their ability to legally drive in the state.

The Purpose of Defensive Driving School

Defensive driving school can serve many different purposes. For example, by taking a defensive driving course a driver may be able to:

• Have points deducted from his or her driving record after violating a traffic law
• Satisfy a legal requirement or have a traffic ticket dismissed altogether
• Earn a discount on his or her car insurance

Although these are all purposes of defensive driving school, drivers may also find that by taking one of these courses, they learn more about the traffic laws in South Carolina and become a better driver overall.

Reducing Points

In most cases, drivers who take a defensive driving course are interested in completing one of these classes so that they can avoid having points added to their driving record. In South Carolina, drivers will receive a warning notice from the Department of Motor Vehicles after six points have accumulated on their record. Once drivers accumulate 12 points or more, their driver’s license will likely be suspended. Drivers who have their license suspended may have to go without their license for a specific period of time before they can go through with the reinstatement process.  Drivers in this state are eligible to complete a defensive driving course one time every three years. When they do this, they can have four points deducted from their driving record.

In addition to the potential of losing their ability to drive legally for a certain period of time, drivers who receive a traffic ticket may worry about the other consequences associated with violating a traffic law. When this occurs, drivers can reach out to the experienced attorneys at the office of Nosal & Jeter, LLP to find out more about what they should do to mitigate the consequences of allegedly committing a traffic offense.