What statute defines DUI in South Carolina?

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930 is the controlling DUI statute in South Carolina. You can read the current text on the official code site at scstatehouse.gov.

What is the South Carolina implied-consent law?

S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2950 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.

South Carolina DUI Statutes: The Code Sections That Control Your Case

The statutes that control South Carolina DUI cases

DUI in South Carolina is defined by S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930, and the chemical-testing rules sit in S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2950. Both are published in the official state code at scstatehouse.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.

South Carolina official code — DUI statute

Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.

Implied-consent provision

What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.

Statute at a glance

South Carolina DUI law at a glance

Sourced from the South Carolina code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.

Offense name: DUI (South Carolina)
Controlling statute: S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930
Implied consent: S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2950
Per se BAC limit: 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
Licence hearing deadline: 30 days after arrest
Prior-offense lookback: 10 years
First-offense fine: $400–$1,000
First-offense jail exposure: up to 30 days
Licence suspension: 6 months
Ignition interlock: Not automatic on a first offense
Trial court: the Magistrate Court or Municipal Court
High-risk filing: SR-22 for 3 years

Penalties step up with the breath-test result; ADSAP enrollment is standard.

First-offense exposure under S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930: $400–$1,000, up to 30 days of jail exposure, and a 6 months licence suspension. Penalties step up with the breath-test result; ADSAP enrollment is standard.

What S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930 actually says

S.C. Code § 56-5-2930 — unlawful to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the extent that faculties are materially and appreciably impaired.
S.C. Code § 56-5-2930 — enrolment in ADSAP is part of the sentence for a violation.
S.C. Code § 56-5-2951 — administrative suspension for a refusal or a disqualifying alcohol concentration.

Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on scstatehouse.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.

Other South Carolina sections that control the case

S.C. Code § 56-5-2933

Driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration (DUAC).

S.C. Code § 56-5-2951

Implied consent suspension and hearing process.

South Carolina ZIP codes covered

These South Carolina ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.

Browse all South Carolina ZIP codes.

Counties and cities using these South Carolina resources

Other South Carolina official resources

South Carolina DUI Courts: Where Your Case Is Heard South Carolina Driver Licensing After a DUI: Hearings, Reinstatement & SR-22

Frequently asked questions

What statute defines DUI in South Carolina?: S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930 is the controlling DUI statute in South Carolina. You can read the current text on the official code site at scstatehouse.gov.
What is the South Carolina implied-consent law?: S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2950 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.