Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2003 Session > Title 56

This statutory database is current through the 2003 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2004, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.




SECTION 56-23-10. Driver training schools shall be licensed.

No person may engage in the business of training or educating persons to drive or operate motor vehicles or offer training or education, for which a fee or charge is made, unless and until the person has obtained and holds a valid driver training school license issued by the department.

SECTION 56-23-20. Certain courses exempt.

Classroom courses offered by state institutions and duly accredited and approved colleges, public, parochial and private high schools in which classroom driver education is part of the curriculum or to employers giving instruction to their licensed employees shall be exempt from registration and license under this chapter. Courses offered to adults under adult education programs shall not qualify for the exemption.

SECTION 56-23-30. Application for license.

Applications for driver training school licenses shall be made to the Department on such forms as the Department may prescribe, and all applicants shall furnish such information as may be required by the Department.

SECTION 56-23-40. Amount and disposition of license fee; term of license.

The annual license fee for each driver training school licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall be fifty dollars, and all such licenses issued shall expire on June thirtieth of the license year of issue. The proceeds from the sale of driver training school licenses shall be placed in the state general fund for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and title.

SECTION 56-23-50. Denial, suspension or revocation of license.

A license shall be denied any person failing to meet and maintain the minimum standards and conditions of operation established by the Department pursuant to Section 56-23-60. The Department shall also have the right to revoke or suspend any license where the Department finds that the licensee has failed to maintain the required minimum standards or conditions of operation or conducts the school in any way inimical to the public interest or safety on the highways.

SECTION 56-23-60. Minimum standards and conditions of operation for schools; inspection of schools.

The Department may establish minimum standards for the operation of driver training schools authorized to be licensed under the provisions of this chapter and prescribe conditions of operation of the schools. The minimum standards must include but are not limited to a requirement that driver training schools have or have access to sufficient facilities and equipment to conduct an eight-hour defensive driving course for a minimum of ten students. All activities and operations of licensed driver training schools are at all times subject to inspection or examination by authorized representatives of the Department.

SECTION 56-23-70. Driver instructor qualifying courses; supervision by department.

Driver instructor qualifying courses may be conducted by recognized college or university or driving school instructors who have successfully completed an approved forty-hour safety education course from a recognized college or university and have acquired an instructor permit from the department. Where such qualifying courses are offered they shall be supervised by the department and shall be offered at least twice a year.

SECTION 56-23-80. Temporary driver instructor permits.

Temporary instructor permits may be issued after special examination by the Department and upon payment of a ten dollar fee to the Department. Temporary instructor permits shall be valid for six months and until the next available and approved qualifying class but in no event shall such permits exceed one year.

SECTION 56-23-85. Driver instructor permits required.

No person connected with driver training schools or private, parochial or public high schools shall engage in behind the wheel training of persons to drive or operate motor vehicles unless such person has obtained and holds a valid driver instructor permit or temporary driver instructor permit therefor issued by the department.

Appropriate examination for such instructor permit shall be at the discretion of the department. The annual fee for an instructor permit shall be twenty dollars, and all such instructor permits shall expire on June thirtieth. Public high school instructors shall not be required to pay a fee for a permit.

SECTION 56-23-87. Certificate of completion of driver's training course.

A person successfully completing a driver's training course conducted by a person holding a valid driver's instructor permit as provided for in Section 56-23-85 must be issued a certificate of completion by the entity conducting the course in a form consistent with regulations issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

SECTION 56-23-90. Penalties.

Any person violating any provisions of this chapter, or of any driver training school license issued pursuant to this chapter, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction, shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days, or both, for such violation.