S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-745 – Conviction of controlled substance violations; suspension of driver's license; special restricted driver's license and fees; insurance penalty under Merit Rating Plan; definitions | Midpage
§ 56-1-745
S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-745
Conviction of controlled substance violations; suspension of driver's license; special restricted driver's license and fees; insurance penalty under Merit Rating Plan; definitions
(A) The driver's license of a person convicted of a controlled substance violation involving hashish or marijuana must be suspended for a period of six months. The driver's license of a person convicted of any other controlled substance violation must be suspended for a period of one year. If the person does not have a driver's license, the court shall order the department not to issue a driver's license for six months after the person legally is eligible for the issuance of a driver's license if the offense involves hashish or marijuana. If the offense involves any other controlled substance, the court shall order the department not to issue a driver's license for one year after the person legally is eligible for the issuance of a driver's license. For each subsequent conviction under this section, the court shall order the driver's license to be suspended for an additional six months or one year, as the case may be. The additional period of suspension for a subsequent offense runs consecutively and does not commence until the expiration of the suspension for the prior offense.
(B) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 56-1-460, any person convicted under this section shall be punished pursuant to Section 56-1-440 and is not required to furnish proof of financial responsibility as provided for in Section 56-9-500. The conviction shall not result in any insurance penalty under the Merit Rating Plan promulgated by the Department of Insurance.
(C)
(1) If an individual is employed or enrolled in a college or university at any time while his driver's license is suspended pursuant to this section, he may apply for a special restricted driver's license permitting him to drive only to and from work or his place of education and in the course of his employment or education during the period of suspension. The department may issue the special restricted driver's license only upon showing by the individual that he is employed or enrolled in a college or university, that he lives further than one mile from his place of employment or education, and that there is no adequate public transportation between his residence and his place of employment or place of education.
(2) If the department issues a special restricted driver's license, it shall designate reasonable restrictions on the times during which and routes on which the individual may operate a motor vehicle. A change in the employment hours, place of employment, status as a student, or residence must be reported immediately to the department by the licensee.
(3) The fee for each special restricted driver's license, including a reissue caused by changes in the place and hours of employment, education, or residence, is twenty dollars.
(4) The operation of a motor vehicle outside the time limits and route imposed by a special restricted license by the person issued that license is a violation of Section 56-1-460.
(D) For purposes of this section:
(1) "Controlled substance violation" means a violation of Chapter 53 of Title 44 of the South Carolina Code of Laws; the "Controlled Substance Act" (21 U.S.C. Section 802(6)); or a drug offense committed in another state.
(2) "Drug offense" means the possession, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, sale, transfer, or the attempt or conspiracy to possess, distribute, manufacture, cultivate, sell, or transfer a substance which is prohibited under the federal Controlled Substance Act.