The Point System

ESTABLISHED FOR POINTS GIVEN DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE TRAFFIC LAW VIOLATORS FOR THESE VIOLATIONS: To have safer highways, all drivers VIOLATIONS POINTS Any driver who has accumulated points may have the points reduced by four by must obey our traffic laws and must drive Reckless Driving ...... 6 completing the National Safety Council's carefully and courteously at all times. Passing stopped school bus...... 6 Defensive Driving Course or its South Carolina has a point system for Hit-and-Run, property damage oniy ...... 6 equivalent. Points may only be reduced traffic law violators aimed at protecting Driving too fast for conditions, or one time in a three-year period. innocent persons from careless and speeding: The eight hour course must be taken reckless drivers. ( 1) Not more than 10 m.p.h. above and completed in the state of South posted speed limits...... 2 In nearly every traffic accident, Carolina. Defensive driving can only (2) More than 10 m.p.h. but less than cancel a point suspension if it is completed someone breaks a traffic law. Some people 25 m.p.h. above posted speed before the suspension begins. make breaking the law a habit. The limits, ...... 4 purpose of the point system is to make these problem drivers improve their (3) 25 m.p.h. or more above posted FINANCLU RESPONSIBILITY driving habits and attitudes. If they do not speed limits ...... 6 change, they risk losing their right to Disobedience of any official traffic Having your driving privileges drive. control device ...... 4 suspended or revoked for any reason is a Disobedience of officer directing serious matter. It is more serious than most HOW THE POINT SYSTEM WORKS traffic ...... 4 drivers realize. If your driving privileges are suspended under the point system, state If you are found guilty of breaking a Failing to yield right of way .. .. . ;...... 4 law requires that you prove financial traffic law, you will be reported. The court Driving on wrong side of road...... 4 responsibility for three years following the must report your conviction to the Passing unlawfully ...... 4 end date of the suspension. Department of Motor Vehicles. Turning unlawfully ...... 4 Driving through or within safety . You can give proof of financial Your driver's record at the Department zone ...... 4 responsibility in one of the following lists any convictions and the number of Following too closely ...... 4 ways: points charged against you under the point Failing to give signal, or giving improper system. Each violation is assigned a (1) Have your insurance agent file a certain number of points by law. signal, for stopping, turning or suddenly decreased speed ...... 4 Certificate of Insurance (SR-22), or Points are also charged to your Operating with improper brakes...... 4 (2) Deposit a $40,000 per motor vehicle record for violations you commit in Shifting lanes without safety with S.C. State Treasurer's Office, or other states and for military precaution ...... 2 court-martial traffic convictions. Failing to dim lights ...... 2 (3) Have a surety company issue a bond Operating with improper lights...... 2 for you. Under South Carolina law, forfeiture of Operating a vehicle in unsafe bond for a traffic law offense counts the condition ...... 2 same as a conviction. Driving in improper lane ...... 2 When six points or more have been Improper dangerous parking...... 2 posted to your record, the Department Improper backing ...... 2 sends this letter urging you to drive more carefully and pointing out the seriousness of having your license suspended.

If you continue to violate traffic laws CAUTION: (or if you already have convictions that the Department has not received) and your point total reaches 12 or more your You may driver's license will be suspended. lose your license!