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South Carolina Hardship License Insurance & SR-22

South Carolina requires 25/50/25 liability coverage and is an at-fault state.

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South Carolina at a Glance

25/50/25

Minimum liability limits, in thousands of dollars (per person / per accident / property)

At-fault

The at-fault driver's insurance pays for the damage they cause

Required

Uninsured motorist coverage must be on every policy

$100

State license reinstatement fee

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Minimum Coverage Requirements in South Carolina

South Carolina operates under a tort liability system and requires proof of financial responsibility at suspension hearings and hardship license applications. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles administers hardship licenses through administrative petition, not hardship hearings, which speeds the process but requires complete documentation at filing. SR-22 filing must remain active for the full 3-year duration, and any lapse triggers automatic hardship license revocation and reinstatement restart.

Bodily Injury Liability

Covers injury costs to others when you cause an accident. Hardship license holders often face higher liability exposure because approved routes include high-traffic commuter corridors during rush hours.

Property Damage Liability

Covers damage to another person's vehicle or property. South Carolina does not require collision or comprehensive on the suspended driver's own vehicle, but lienholders mandate both if the vehicle has a loan.

SR-22 Certificate of Financial Responsibility

The SR-22 is not insurance but a continuous verification filing submitted by your carrier to the South Carolina DMV every policy term. The filing remains active for 36 months from the suspension end date, not the filing date.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

South Carolina mandates that all carriers offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage at the same limits as your liability selection. You may reject it, but rejection must be documented in writing at policy inception—verbal rejection is not valid and the coverage is added automatically if the waiver form is not completed. Hardship license holders face elevated uninsured motorist risk because violations cluster geographically in counties with higher uninsured driver rates.

What Drivers Pay in South Carolina

$327–$411/mo

Typical monthly rate in South Carolina, high-risk drivers after a DUI

Rate data: ValuePenguin and Insurify, 2026

What Affects Your Rate

  • Switching carriers mid-SR-22 period without continuous filing triggers automatic hardship license suspension, so price-shopping after initial placement carries substantial procedural risk.
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Get Insured for the Drive to Work

Keep Driving to Work

If your license is suspended

Route Restricted Drivers License (DL-127); separate Provisional License for first-offense DUI/DUAC

application fee $100.

A coverage lapse is reported

The state acts on a lapse after 20 days.

Source: state DMV, insurance department and statute records, verified July 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SR-22 filing last for a South Carolina hardship license?

South Carolina requires SR-22 filing for 3 years from the end date of the underlying suspension, not from the SR-22 filing date. For a DUI suspension, if the suspension lasts 6 months and you file SR-22 at month 3 to obtain a hardship license, the 3-year SR-22 clock starts when the original suspension ends, meaning you carry SR-22 for 3 years and 3 months total. Any lapse in SR-22 during that period triggers immediate hardship license revocation and suspension restart.

Coverage Types

SR-22 Insurance

Continuous liability verification filing required for hardship license approval and maintenance. The SR-22 remains active for 3 years and any lapse revokes the hardship license immediately.

Non-Owner SR-22

Liability-only policy with SR-22 filing for drivers who do not own a vehicle but need to satisfy hardship license insurance requirements.

Hardship License Insurance

Liability coverage with SR-22 filing that meets South Carolina DMV requirements for restricted driving privileges after suspension.

Non-Standard Auto Insurance

Coverage from carriers specializing in high-risk drivers, including those with DUI, multiple violations, or suspended licenses.

Find Your City in South Carolina

Charleston

urban

Columbia

urban

North Charleston

suburban

Mount Pleasant

suburban

Rock Hill

suburban

Greenville

urban

Summerville

suburban

Spartanburg

urban