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South Carolina
Judicial Department
South Carolina Bench Book for Summary Court Judges - Traffic Section

L.
Common Traffic Violations

1. Generally

Listed below are a number of motor vehicle violations and special statutes relating to such violations that may be commonly encountered by the magistrate and municipal court judge. This list is certainly not a complete citation of all motor vehicle violations. In addition, magistrates and municipal court judges are advised to refer directly to the Code of Laws before attempting to apply any of these statutes.

2. Hazardous Moving Violations

Acquiescing in Racing

56-5-1600

Changes Lanes Unlawfully

56-5-1900

Crossing Median or Other Separation

56-5-1920

Disregarding Stop Sign

56-5-2740

Disregarding Traffic Signal

56-5-950

Right Turn on Red

56-5-970

Driving Left of Center

56-5-1810

Driving Wrong Side Divided Highway

56-5-1920

Driving Under Influence

56-5-2930

Driving Without Lights

56-5-4450

Fail to Dim Headlights

56-5-4780

Fail to Give Proper Signal

56-5-2150

Fail to Yield Right of Way (No Sign)

56-5-2310

Fail to Yield Right of Way (Left Turn)

56-5-2320

Fail to Yield Right of Way (Stop Intersection)

56-5-2330

Fail to Yield Right of Way (At Sign)

56-5-2330(c)

Fail to Yield Right of Way (From off Road)

56-5-2350

Following Too Closely

56-5-1930

Turning Movements and Signals

56-5-2150

House Trailer– Speeding

56-5-1570

Improper Backing

56-5-3810

Improper Passing on Left

56-5-1860

Improper Passing (Yellow Line)

56-5-1890

Improper Turning Around (Curve or Grade)

56-5-2140

Improper Turning (Left or Right)

56-5-2120

Making U Turn Divided Highway

56-5-1920

Minimum Speed Law

56-5-1560

Motor Driven Cycle– Speeding

56-5-1550

Passing Stopped School Bus

56-5-2770

Racing on Public Roads

56-5-1590

Reckless Driving

56-5-2920

Maximum Speed Limit

56-5-1520

Too Fast for Conditions and General Speed Limits

56-5-1520

3. Hazardous Non-Moving Violations

Improper Parking

56-5-2510

Improper Parking (No Park Sign)

56-5-2540

Projecting Load (Length)

56-5-4080

Unlawful Use of Spot Light

56-5-4660

4. Vehicle License Violations

Fail to Display License Plates

56-3-1240

Fail to Transfer Ownership

56-3-1270

False Affidavit (Uninsured Vehicle) (RECODIFIED FROM 56-11-760)

56-10-260

Improper Vehicle License

56-3-1360

Improper Use of Dealer’s License

56-3-2320

No Vehicle License

56-3-110

Operating or Allowing Uninsured Vehicle

56-10-270

Registration Cards: Possession and Display

56-3-1250

5. Equipment Violations

Defective Brakes

56-5-4850

Driving Unsafe Vehicle

56-5-4410

Goggles or Face Shield Required (Motorcycle)

56-5-3670

Helmets: Operator and Passenger (Motorcycle)

56-5-3660

Improper Lights (Front)

56-5-4490

Improper Lights (Rear)

56-5-4510

Lights on Other Vehicle

56-5-4650

Limitation on Number Front Lamps

56-5-4820

Muffler Violations

56-5-5020

No Clearance Lights or Reflectors

56-5-4580

No Light or Flag on Projecting Load

56-5-4630

Reflectors on Passenger Cars

56-5-4540

Stop Lamps Required

56-5-4560

Unsafe Equipment

56-5-5310

Violation Vehicle Inspection Law (REPEALED)

56-5-5350

6. Buses, Trucks, Trailers

Failure to Display Fuel Tax Marker (REPEALED)

12-31-640

Empty Weight Stenciled Outside

56-5-4150

No Clearance Lights and Reflectors

56-5-4580

No Light or Flag on Projecting Load

56-5-4630

Over Height

56-5-4060

Over Length

56-5-4070

Over Weight (Axle)

56-5-4130

Over Weight (Gross)

56-5-4140

Over Weight (License)

56-5-4150

Over Width Vehicle

56-5-4030

Projecting Load (Length)

56-5-4080

Spilling Loads

56-5-4100

Warning Devices (Trucks to Carry)

56-5-5060

Warning Devices (When Disabled)

56-5-5090

Poles Dragging on Highway

57-7-80

7. Violations Pertaining to Accidents

Fail to Report Accident (Personal Injury)

56-5-1260

Fail to Report Accident (Property Damage)

56-5-1270

Leaving Scene of Accident (Personal Injury)

56-5-1210

Leaving Scene of Accident (Property Damage)

56-5-1220

8. Driver's License Violations

Altered Driver’s License

56-1-510

Borrowing or Lending Driver’s License

56-1-510

Child or Ward Operating Motor Vehicle

56-1-490

Driving Under Suspension (Fixed Period)

56-1-460

Driving Under Suspension (SR-22) (REPEALED)

56-9-70

Fail to Surrender Driver’s License

56-1-350

False Affidavit (Driver’s License)

56-1-510

No Driver’s License Issued (THIS IS THE PENALTY SECTION)

56-1-440

No Driver’s License in Possession

56-1-190

Violation, Driver’s License Restriction

56-1-170

9. Special Sections

Altering or Defacing Traffic Sign

56-5-1030

Chemical Test and Refusal (Breath Alcohol)

56-5-2950

Child Restraint Systems– Use Required

56-5-6410

Conviction Inadmissible in Civil Action

56-5-6160

Damaging Highway

57-7-10

Discharging Fireworks from Motor Vehicle

23-35-120

Disobedience to Traffic Officer

56-5-740

Failure to Stop for Police Vehicle

56-5-750

Handicap Parking

56-3-1970

Obstruction of Hwy. By Railroad Cars, etc.

57-7-240

Parties to a Crime

56-5-6110

Placing Glass, Nails, etc. on Highway

57-7-20

Reports Not to be Used as Evidence in Civil Actions

56-5-1290

Safety Belts

56-5-6520

Signs Permitted on Interstate

57-25-140

Unclaimed Vehicle in Storage to be Reported (Loss of Lien for Failure)

56-19-840

Uniform Traffic Ticket

56-7-10

Unlawful Transportation of Alcoholic Liquors (REPEALED)

61-5-20

Use of Horn

56-5-4960