How much does a DUI cost in South Carolina?

By the DUI Cost Guide Editorial Team · Last updated: October 22, 2026

A first DUI in South Carolina carries a statutory fine of $400. This guide stacks every cost layer an official South Carolina source prices — the fine, court costs, the license reinstatement fee, the DUI program, ignition interlock, and the SR-22 insurance filing — and says plainly which layers no official source prices at all.

South Carolina DUI costs at a glance	Figure
Statutory fine — first DUI	South Carolina sets first-offense fines by alcohol concentration under § 56-5-2933 (driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration): a flat $400 fine when the alcohol concentration is under .10, and the fine may not be suspended; $500 at .10 to under .16; and $1,000 at .16 or above. The DUI statute, § 56-5-2930, uses the same fine structure. One hundred dollars of each fine is directed to the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.
Statutory fine — second DUI	The statute separates a second offense: $2,100–$5,100. Second offenses also carry longer suspensions and program requirements — see the sections below.
Court costs & fees	Court costs and assessments are added by the trial court and vary by court. The one fixed add-on in the DUI statutes is a $12 assessment on first-offense convictions in magistrate's or municipal court (§ 56-5-2995).
License suspension — first offense	On conviction, the DMV suspends the driver's license. Under § 56-5-2990, a first offender ends the suspension by enrolling in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and obtaining an ignition interlock restricted license, with the device affixed to the vehicle for six months; a first offender is no longer eligible for a provisional license.
License reinstatement fee	SCDMV charges a $100 reinstatement fee for each suspension, unless a different amount is required for that suspension; a payment plan is available when more than $200 is owed.
Ignition interlock	Required for all first offenders — Since the May 19, 2024 change in the law (2023 Act No. 55), a first offender must enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program under § 56-5-2941 to end the suspension and drive on an ignition interlock restricted license, with the device installed for six months (§ 56-5-2990). Device and program vendor costs are paid by the offender and are not published as a state fee.
DUI education / treatment program	Every person convicted must enroll in and successfully complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP), enrolling within 30 days of conviction. State law caps ADSAP charges at $500 for education services and $2,000 for treatment services, with a total cap of $2,500; the county ADSAP program page lists the same $500 education cost, and the license cannot be reinstated until SCDMV is notified of successful completion.
SR-22 insurance filing	Proof of financial responsibility in the form of an SR-22 filing is required to regain driving privileges after a DUI suspension; the state ADSAP guidance lists SR-22 insurance among the requirements for restricted/provisional licensing. The filing is made by the insurer, the state charges no filing fee, and the real cost is the higher high-risk insurance premium.

The fine

South Carolina sets first-offense fines by alcohol concentration under § 56-5-2933 (driving with an unlawful alcohol concentration): a flat $400 fine when the alcohol concentration is under .10, and the fine may not be suspended; $500 at .10 to under .16; and $1,000 at .16 or above. The DUI statute, § 56-5-2930, uses the same fine structure. One hundred dollars of each fine is directed to the Department of Public Safety for the Highway Patrol.

Court costs & fees

Court costs and assessments are added by the trial court and vary by court. The one fixed add-on in the DUI statutes is a $12 assessment on first-offense convictions in magistrate's or municipal court (§ 56-5-2995).

License suspension & reinstatement

On conviction, the DMV suspends the driver's license. Under § 56-5-2990, a first offender ends the suspension by enrolling in the Ignition Interlock Device Program and obtaining an ignition interlock restricted license, with the device affixed to the vehicle for six months; a first offender is no longer eligible for a provisional license.

SCDMV charges a $100 reinstatement fee for each suspension, unless a different amount is required for that suspension; a payment plan is available when more than $200 is owed.

The national picture — which states charge the most to reinstate — is in our license reinstatement guide.

Ignition interlock

Since the May 19, 2024 change in the law (2023 Act No. 55), a first offender must enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program under § 56-5-2941 to end the suspension and drive on an ignition interlock restricted license, with the device installed for six months (§ 56-5-2990). Device and program vendor costs are paid by the offender and are not published as a state fee.

How interlock pricing works (installation, monthly lease, calibration, removal) is in our ignition interlock cost guide.

DUI education & treatment program

Every person convicted must enroll in and successfully complete the Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP), enrolling within 30 days of conviction. State law caps ADSAP charges at $500 for education services and $2,000 for treatment services, with a total cap of $2,500; the county ADSAP program page lists the same $500 education cost, and the license cannot be reinstated until SCDMV is notified of successful completion.

SR-22 & insurance

Proof of financial responsibility in the form of an SR-22 filing is required to regain driving privileges after a DUI suspension; the state ADSAP guidance lists SR-22 insurance among the requirements for restricted/provisional licensing. The filing is made by the insurer, the state charges no filing fee, and the real cost is the higher high-risk insurance premium.

What an SR-22 is, which states charge a filing fee, and how long it must be carried: SR-22 cost guide.

Towing, impound & other charges

A $12 assessment is added to first-offense DUI punishments imposed in magistrate's or municipal court (§ 56-5-2995). A second offense carries a fine of $2,100 to $5,100 at the lowest BAC tier, rising to $3,500 to $6,500 at BAC .16 or above.

Worked total: the verified charges stacked

Item	Cost
Statutory fine	$400
License reinstatement fee	$100
DUI program fee	$500
Total of the verified state-set charges above	$1,000–$1,000

That total is deliberately incomplete: it leaves out everything no official South Carolina source prices statewide — court costs where they are set county by county, interlock lease payments to a private vendor, towing and storage, and the insurance increase that follows an SR-22. Add your own figures for those in the cost calculator.

Sources: S.C. Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5 (§§ 56-5-2933, 56-5-2990, 56-5-2995) — SC Legislature · SCDMV — Pay Reinstatement Fees · Beaufort County (SC) — Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP). Researched October 2026 — confirm current figures with the court and the driver-licensing agency.

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