If I Get a Speeding Ticket, How Many Points Will Go on My License in South Carolina?

how many points for a speeding ticket

If you’ve just gotten a speeding ticket, chances are you’re not just annoyed—you’re wondering what it’s going to do to your license.

In South Carolina, most traffic violations come with points, and those points go straight on your driving record. Stack up enough, and the DMV can step in and suspend your license—no warning, no hearing. That’s why it’s important to understand how the system works, even if this is your first offense.

Here’s what to know about the point system, how speeding is scored, and why keeping an eye on your record now can save you serious trouble later.

What the South Carolina Point System Actually Looks Like

South Carolina doesn’t mess around when it comes to traffic violations. Every time you’re found guilty of a traffic offense, whether it’s driving 50 in a 35 or something more serious like reckless driving, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) assigns a specific point value to the offense. The more severe the violation, the more points you get.

Most tickets carry 2 to 6 points, and once they land on your driving record, they stick around for two years. And no, they don’t fade quietly into the background—because if you reach a certain number of points, the DMV steps in.

Here’s how that shakes out:

  • 12–15 points: 3-month license suspension
  • 16–17 points: 4 months
  • 18–19 points: 5 months
  • 20 or more points: 6-month suspension

There’s no hearing, no chance to plead your case. If you cross the threshold, the DMV automatically suspends your license. No wiggle room.

And the trouble doesn’t stop there. Insurance companies don’t take kindly to people who carry points—they see you as a problem driver. That means higher insurance premiums, fewer options, and more money out of your pocket.

If you’ve already got a speeding ticket, or you’re sitting close to that 12-point mark, now’s the time to be proactive. A defensive driving course might help lower your total. In some cases, you may want to go to court and fight the ticket. Either way, don’t ignore it—because the next one could push you over the edge.

How Many Points Does a Speeding Ticket Add?

The number of points you get for a speeding ticket in South Carolina depends on how far over the posted speed limit you were going. Here’s the breakdown:

  • 10 mph or less over the limit: 2 points
  • 11 to 24 mph over the limit: 4 points
  • 25 mph or more over the limit: 6 points

In short: the faster you’re caught going, the harder it hits your driving record. If you’re 25 mph over, you’re looking at 6 points—that’s already halfway to a license suspension.

One more thing: if you’re clocked at 15 mph or more over the limit, the officer may not stop at just a ticket. That can land you a reckless driving charge. It’s a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation, and it comes with a mandatory 6 points—plus the possibility of jail time depending on what happened.

Other Traffic Violations That Add Points

Speeding isn’t the only way to end up in trouble. There are plenty of everyday mistakes that can load up your license with points. Here are some of the more common ones in South Carolina:

  • Running a stop sign or red light: 4 points
  • Failure to yield: 4 points
  • Improper passing: 4 points
  • At-fault accident (property damage only): Points are assessed based on the specific traffic offense that caused the accident (e.g., failure to yield, following too closely).
  • Driving under the influence (DUI): Leads to an automatic license suspension due to the severity of the offense.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident (property damage): 6 points

Even what feels like a small slip-up—blowing past a stop sign or not yielding—can carry enough weight to push you closer to a points suspension. And more serious offenses like DUI or hit-and-run can put you halfway to a suspended driver’s license in one shot.

More Than Just Points: What a Speeding Ticket Really Costs You

Getting points on your license is just one piece of the puzzle after a speeding ticket. The rest? It often ends up costing more—and lasting longer—than people expect.

In most cases, here’s what you’re really dealing with:

  • Fines and court costs that can add up quickly
  • Higher insurance premiums that may stick around for several years
  • Job-related consequences, especially if you drive for work

Your driving record is how insurance companies judge risk. If they see traffic violations or a growing list of points, you’ll likely get hit with premium increases that won’t go away anytime soon.

And for anyone whose job involves a company vehicle—or even just driving during the workday—employers often pull driving histories. Too many tickets, and you could lose the job or miss out on one you were counting on.

That’s why it’s not just about the ticket. It’s about what happens after.

Should You Fight Your Speeding Ticket?

Once you’ve been cited, you usually have two choices: pay the ticket and take the points, or go to court and try to fight it. If the facts are on your side—or even a little unclear—it may be worth pushing back.

Maybe the officer clocked the wrong car. Maybe the radar equipment wasn’t working properly. Maybe the whole stop didn’t follow procedure. These things happen more often than people think. And an experienced traffic attorney can help you figure out whether it’s worth challenging.

Even if the case isn’t perfect, we may still be able to:

  • Work with the prosecutor to reduce the charge
  • Push for traffic school or a defensive driving course instead of points
  • Spot mistakes in how your case was handled—from the stop itself to what happened in court

At Okoye Law, we’ve helped drivers all across South Carolina avoid unnecessary points, protect their driver’s licenses, and keep their insurance premiums from spiraling. We know how the point system works and how to approach these cases with the right mix of strategy and pressure.

Protect Your Record—and Keep Yourself on the Road

Getting a speeding ticket doesn’t make you a bad driver. But it can set off a chain of problems if you’re not careful—especially when it comes to your license and your driving record. That’s why it pays to understand how the point system works before the points start stacking up.

If you’re dealing with a traffic violation, don’t guess your way through it. Talk to someone who’s handled it before. At Okoye Law, we’ve walked plenty of South Carolina drivers through situations just like yours—some simple, some not so much.

We offer free consultations because we’d rather have the conversation early—before one ticket turns into a bigger problem. If you’ve got questions, we’re here to help you figure out your next move.

Author Bio

rock hill criminal defense family and personal injury lawyers

Colin Okoye is the CEO and Managing Partner of Okoye Law, a Rock Hill, SC,  criminal defense, personal injury, and family law firm. With years of experience, he has zealously represented clients in various legal matters, including DUI charges, divorce cases, and car accidents.

Colin received his Juris Doctor from the Charlotte School of Law and is a South Carolina Bar Association member. His previous experience working as an Assistant Public Defender in the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit has equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge to represent clients in a wide range of cases effectively.

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