SC DMV Drivers License Amnesty Week 2015

It was recently announced that The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) will hold a Driver Suspension Eligibility Week in March to assist drivers with suspended licenses reduce or clear their suspensions. The effort will run March 16-20, 2015 at all DMV offices.

WHY DOES THE DMV OFFER AMNESTY WEEK?

South Carolina Code of Laws Section 56-1-396 requires DMV to establish a driver’s license suspension eligibility period every year.   SC Code § 56-1-396 (2012) states:

1. The Department of Motor Vehicles shall establish a driver’s license suspension amnesty period.
2. The amnesty period must be for one week on an annual basis at the department’s discretion.
3. During the amnesty period, a person whose driver’s license is suspended prior to the amnesty period may apply to the department to have qualifying suspensions cleared.
4. If the person has met all conditions for reinstatement other than service of the suspension period, including payment of all applicable fees, the department must reinstate the person’s driver’s license.
5. If the qualifying suspensions are cleared, but nonqualifying suspensions remain to be served, the department must recalculate the remaining suspension start dates to begin as soon as feasible.
6. Qualifying suspensions include, and are limited to, suspensions pursuant to Sections 34-11-70, 56-1-120, 56-1-170, 56-1-185, 56-1-240, 56-1-270, 56-1-290, 56-1-460(A)(1), 56-2-2740, 56-9-351, 56-9-354, 56-9-357, 56-9-430, 56-9-490, 56-9-610, 56-9-620, 56-10-225, 56-10-240, 56-10-270, 56-10-520, 56-10-530, and 56-25-20.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

1. Underage drivers suspended for excessive points.
2. Drivers suspended for operating an unlicensed taxi or vehicle.
3. Drivers suspended for operating an uninsured vehicle that they did not own.
4. Drivers suspended for operating or allowing operation of an uninsured vehicle.
5. Drivers suspended for driving under suspension, excluding alcohol or drug related convictions.

The DMV says state law mandates the types of violations that can be reduced or cleared and other types of suspensions will not be covered in the program.

In order to qualify drivers must pay all fees and meet all conditions of their suspension. Some drivers may be required to retake the knowledge and road skills tests before being issued a new license.

Below are some frequently asked questions provided by the SCDMV:

WHAT IS DRIVER SUSPENSION ELIGIBILITY WEEK?

Driver Suspension Eligibility Week is one week each year when drivers who have lost their driving privileges for certain suspensions can apply to reduce or clear the remaining time for their suspensions.

WHEN WILL DMV OFFER AMNESTY?

This year, DMV will offer Driver Suspension Eligibility Week March 16-20, 2015.

DOES MY SUSPENSION QUALIFY?

The program will assist the following types of suspended drivers:

1. 1. Underage drivers suspended for excessive points
   2. Drivers suspended for operating an unlicensed taxi or vehicle
   3. Drivers suspended for operating an uninsured vehicle that they did not own
   4. Drivers suspended for operating or allowing operation of an uninsured vehicle
   5. Drivers suspended for driving under suspension, excluding alcohol or drug related convictions.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO TO QUALIFY?

To qualify for the program, drivers must meet all of the conditions of their suspensions. All fees must be paid and Form SR-22 must be filed, if required.

If a driver has more than one suspension, DMV will recalculate the suspension time. Drivers with suspensions not covered by the program will still need to serve those suspensions.

WHAT IF I HAVE MORE THAN ONE SUSPENSION?

If a driver has more than one suspension, DMV will recalculate the suspension time. Drivers with suspensions not covered by the program will still need to serve those suspensions.
DO I HAVE TO GET SR-22 IF I HAVE ONE OR MORE SUSPENSION THAT ISN’T INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM?

You will not have to get SR-22 until all of your suspensions are completed.
WILL I HAVE TO TAKE THE KNOWLEDGE OR ROAD SKILLS TEST TO GET MY LICENSE BACK?

If your suspension requires retesting or your license has been expired for more than nine months, you will have to take the vision, knowledge and road skills tests.
MY SUSPENSION IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THAT?

The law is very specific about which suspensions are covered by the program and DMV must abide by the law. The South Carolina General Assembly is the only entity that can change the law.

CAN I GO TO ANY OFFICE TO APPLY?

DMV will accept applications for Driver Suspension Eligibility Week at all DMV offices Monday through Friday, March 16-20, 2015.

WHERE IS MY DMV?

1. 1. Bluffton, 15 Sheridan Park
   2. Charleston, 3790 Leeds Ave
   3. Columbia, 1630 Shop Rd
   4. Conway, 4103 Highway 701 North
   5. Florence, 3102 E. Palmetto Street
   6. Greenville, 15 Saluda Dam Road
   7. Greenwood, 510 W. Alexander Ext.
   8. Greer, 610 Arlington Road
   9. Irmo/Ballentine, 1016 Broadstone Road
   10. Lancaster, 1694 Pageland Highway
   11. Laurens, 390 Fairgrounds Road
   12. Myrtle Beach, 1200 21st Avenue North
   13. North Augusta, 1711 Ascauga Lake Road
   14. Orangeburg, 1720 Charleston Highway
   15. Rock Hill, 305 Hands Mill Road
   16. Seneca, 13009 South Radio Station Road
   17. Spartanburg, 1625 Southport Road

WHAT ARE DMV OFFICE HOURS?

All offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. except on Wednesday when all offices are closed for training from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.