Completion of the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving 8-Hour Course can be used for up to a four point reduction on a driver’s Motor Vehicle Record. (This information only applies to individuals with a valid South Carolina Driver’s License.)

If a South Carolina driver receives 12 or more points, the driver can avoid suspension by attending a defensive driving course to reduce 4 points. They will have 30 days from the date of the suspension notice until the date the suspension begins. Once the suspension begins, the point reduction will not cancel the suspension. Points may only be reduced once in a three-year period. Drivers with less than 12 points will not receive a suspension notice.

If the violation date is before the Defensive Driving Course completion date, credit of up to four points will be given. All violations occurring after the completion date of the course will not be accepted.

Point reduction is good once every three (3) years.

If an individual has one, two, or three points assessed against his/her Motor Vehicle Record and the individual requests point reduction, he/she will be given however many points showing on their MVR at this time, and will not be eligible to receive point reduction again for three (3) years.

South Carolina law allows up to twelve (12) points before license suspension occurs.

All questions regarding driver license status or violation information should be referred to Driver Service at 803-896-5000.