When someone is convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Content (DUAC) his or her driver's license is suspended by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) for at least six months. If the driver is eligible for a provisional driver's license to use during the time of the suspension, he or she will need to enroll in the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP). Upon completion of all recommended ADSAP education and/or counseling services, the completion of all related financial obligations, and the satisfaction of all other SCDMV requirements (including serving the suspension time), the regular driving privileges can be resumed. We can also help you regain driving privileges if you are licensed in another state or if your DUI arrest occurred in another state.
Similarly, if any type of breath, urine, or blood test is refused at the time of the arrest, the driver's license is suspended by the SCDMV for a six month period (in addition to any eventual DUI or DUAC suspension). If a breath or blood test reveals a blood alcohol content of 0.15 or greater then the driver's license is suspended for an additional 30 days beginning at the time of arrest. In order to obtain a route-restricted driver's license, in either case, enrollment in ADSAP services is required. Even if the driver is not interested in obtaining a route-restricted license prior to the going to court for the DUI or DUAC arrest, and no matter the result of the court case, because both the implied consent charge and the .15 or greater charge are considered administrative charges and can only be adjudicated with the DMV, the driver must enroll in ADSAP services in order to regain the SCDL and ADSAP services must be completed within a year of the offense or the driver's license will be suspended indefinitely until ADSAP services are completed.
Please keep in mind, if this is the second conviction of a DUI and/or DUAC (even if the court reduces the charge to a "first-offense" DUI or DUAC for the purposes of lowering the fine), the SCDMV will consider the charge a second offense and an ignition interlock device will be required in whatever car that is driven for a certain period of time after ADSAP services are completed and licensure is re-gained. This also goes for people who are convicted of a DUI or DUAC for the first time, if the arrest occurred after October 1st, 2014. Some exceptions may apply.
If you would like to enroll in ADSAP, you will need a current 10 year driving record that shows ADSAP enrollment is required, a picture ID, and $160 for the assessment fee. The 10 year driving record cannot be more than 30 days old. If the driving record does not show the ADSAP requirement, please bring the DUI ticket with you. We have a Financial Assistance Application you may complete if there is any financial hardship. The application does require official documents to be submitted, but you may stop by our office anytime, during normal business operating hours, to meet with the business office.