South Carolina Defensive Driving Course (Traffic School)
This South Carolina defensive driving course, offered through our partnership with I Drive Safely, is accepted in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Orangeburg county courts. South Carolina recognizes the National Safety Council 8-Hour Defensive Driving Course (or an equivalent) for a point reduction of up to 4 points, once every 3 years, under SC Code 56-1-770. This course can help you reduce points on your South Carolina driving record where your court accepts it, dismiss an eligible ticket where accepted, meet a court requirement, earn an eligible auto-insurance discount where permitted, and strengthen your safe-driving skills — all at your own pace from home.
Who Is This Course For?
South Carolina drivers who want a defensive driving course to reduce points on their driving record, meet a court requirement, or earn an insurance discount where permitted. This course is accepted in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Orangeburg county courts only — not statewide. For any other jurisdiction, confirm with your court that the course is accepted before enrolling.
Course Overview
South Carolina recognizes the National Safety Council 8-Hour Defensive Driving Course (or an equivalent) for a point reduction of up to 4 points, once every 3 years, under SC Code 56-1-770. This online course, offered through I Drive Safely, is accepted in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Orangeburg county courts. It is completed at your own pace on any device.
Reducing points does not erase the underlying violations, and the violations remain on your record. For ticket dismissal or to satisfy a court requirement, confirm with your court that the course is accepted and that your citation is eligible before enrolling. For jurisdictions other than Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, or Orangeburg, you must obtain your court's approval and verify that I Drive Safely appears on your court's list of approved course providers before enrolling. Court acceptance for a specific citation is not guaranteed. An insurance discount is not guaranteed — check with your insurer to confirm discount eligibility.
Course at a Glance
Duration
Self-paced
Format
100% Online & Self-Paced
Audience
All ages
Requirement
Court/County limited approval (4 courts)
Provider
I Drive Safely
Reporting
Accepted in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Orangeburg
What You'll Complete
- Approved in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester & Orangeburg Courts
- 8 Single-Subject Chapters
- Avoid Points on Your License
- Court or State Requirement Eligible
- Insurance Discount (Where Permitted)
How It Works
- 1Register online for the South Carolina Defensive Driving course.
- 2Complete the course online at your own pace on any device.
- 3If your case is in Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, or Orangeburg county court, confirm the course is accepted and your citation is eligible before enrolling. For any other jurisdiction, obtain your court's approval and verify I Drive Safely is on your court's approved provider list before enrolling.
- 4Your completion can reduce points on your South Carolina driving record where your court accepts it. Submit your completion per your court's instructions, or share it with your insurer for an insurance discount where permitted.
Important Requirements & Restrictions
- This course is accepted in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Orangeburg county courts only — not statewide. For any other jurisdiction, obtain your court's approval and verify I Drive Safely is on your court's approved provider list before enrolling.
- Reducing points does not erase the underlying violations, and the violations remain on your record. Court acceptance for a specific citation is not guaranteed — confirm with your court before enrolling.
- An insurance discount is not guaranteed; where permitted, check with your insurer to confirm discount eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which courts is this South Carolina defensive driving course accepted?
This course is accepted in the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, and Orangeburg county courts. For any other jurisdiction, you must obtain your court's approval and verify I Drive Safely is on your court's approved provider list before enrolling.
Does the course reduce points on my South Carolina driving record?
South Carolina recognizes the NSC 8-Hour Defensive Driving Course (or an equivalent) for a point reduction of up to 4 points, once every 3 years, where your court accepts the course. Reducing points does not erase the underlying violations, and the violations remain on your record.
Can this course dismiss my South Carolina traffic ticket?
For ticket dismissal or a court requirement, confirm with your court that the course is accepted and that your citation is eligible before enrolling. Court acceptance for a specific citation is not guaranteed.
Is there an insurance discount?
Many South Carolina insurers accept the course for a safe-driver insurance discount where permitted. An insurance discount is not guaranteed — check with your insurer to confirm discount eligibility.
How long is the South Carolina defensive driving course?
It is self-paced and completed online on any device.
Related South Carolina Resources
Ready to Get Started?
Register for the South Carolina Defensive Driving Course (Traffic School) online with I Drive Safely. Complete at your own pace on any device.
Enroll NowSouth Carolina Defensive Driving Course (Traffic School)
Provider Disclosure
DOT Driving School provides driver education information and connects students with available course providers. Course registration and course delivery for this program are provided by I Drive Safely, a third-party provider. DOT Driving School is not the course operator and does not administer this course.
Disclaimer
Courses identified as “State Approved” are licensed, approved, or accepted by the applicable state agency, as specifically stated on the individual course listing. Not all courses offered through this website are state approved or state required.
DOT Driving School is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the DMV, DOT, FLHSMV, any state driver licensing agency, or any federal, state, county, or local governmental agency, except where a specific course approval or authorization is expressly stated.