One of the most punitive consequences of a conviction for DUI or DUAC is the automatic suspension of your driver's license. The length of the suspension period is governed by the number of previous convictions for DUI or DUAC within ten (10) years.
First Conviction
A first time conviction triggers a six (6) month driver's license suspension. After a first ever conviction, a South Carolina driver may be eligible for a provision driving privilege, provide certain conditions are met after the first time conviction.
Second Conviction
A second time conviction results in a driver's license suspension for one (1) year. A driver convicted of a second DUI or DUAC within ten (10) years of the first is not eligible for any type of driving privilege at all.
Third Conviction
A third time conviction for DUI or DUAC requires a driver's license suspension of two (2) years. As with the second time conviction, a driver is not eligible for any kind of driving privilege during that two year suspension period.
Fourth Conviction
Finally, a fourth or subsequent conviction results in the permanent revocation of a South Carolina driver's license.
Take note that these enhanced suspension periods are the result of convictions within the designated time frame and are not necessarily tied to the offense level pled to or prosecuted in court. There are a host of nuances that require the analysis of the specific case and history. An additional enhancement could apply based on the closeness in time of more than one conviction. Should you have questions regarding the impact of a conviction on your privilege to drive, contact the Carroll Law Firm now; our DUI Defense Team has the knowledge and experience to answer your questions.
The license suspension is not a part of the criminal penalty imposed by the judge, therefore the judge is powerless to do anything about the suspension.
The SC DMV has the ministerial duty to impose suspensions, and upon receipt of proof of a conviction carries out this duty. Any driver convicted for the first time will receive notice of a suspension that
