A point system is used as a driving record to keep track of the number and severity of traffic offenses you have committed. If you reach a certain number of points, your driver's license is suspended for a certain period of time. Over time, the number of points associated with prior violations diminishes, increasing the number of total points accumulated allowable over an extended period of time. The length of suspensions for accumulated excessive points is stated in S.C. Code Section 56-1-740 and is as follows:

(1) 12 to 15 points--three months' suspension;
(2) 16 or 17 points--four months' suspension;
(3) 18 or 19 points--five months' suspension;
(4) 20 points and over--six months' suspension.

S.C. Code Section 56-1-720 contains a list of traffic offenses and how many points each offense carries.

In addition to its legal effects on driving eligibility, a driver's insurance company uses the point system to determine the risk of insuring that driver. Thus, the more points a driver has on his or her record, the more that driver must pay for insurance. Automobile insurance can be very expensive, and South Carolina requires all motorists to carry liability insurance. This ensures that, in the event of a wreck, the driver at fault is at least able to pay for the damages he or she inflicts on others.