South Carolina DUI Felony vs. Misdemeanor Calculator 2026
State-specific DUI cost estimates for South Carolina, including fines, attorney fees, SR-22 insurance, ignition interlock, and more.
Your South Carolina DUI estimate will appear here
Answer the questions and press the button. You will get a low, typical and high figure, with each cost listed on its own line.
- Uses this state's own fines, suspension and interlock rules
- Market costs such as attorney fees are labelled as estimates
- Free, and nothing to sign up for
South Carolina DUI FAQ
How much does a DUI cost in South Carolina?
Attorney fees for a first-offense DUI in South Carolina typically run $2,500 to $10,000 on our estimates, and the fine is $400 to $1,000 before court costs. Adding insurance, interlock, education, reinstatement and lost time from work, our calculator puts a typical first offense at about $20,679 (range $11,132 to $32,130) with its default answers; the median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615.
How long is your license suspended for a first DUI in South Carolina?
A first-offense DUI conviction in South Carolina carries a license suspension of 180 days. A hardship or restricted license may be available during this period.
Is an ignition interlock device required in South Carolina for a first DUI?
Yes. South Carolina requires an ignition interlock device for 6 months following a first DUI conviction.
How long is SR-22 insurance required after a DUI in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires SR-22 high-risk insurance filing for 3 years following a DUI conviction.
Can a DUI be expunged in South Carolina?
South Carolina does not allow DUI convictions to be expunged. Some states have other ways to limit who can see a record, such as sealing, which this site does not cover yet.
South Carolina DUI figures this calculator uses
- Felony at offense number
- 4
- Lookback period for prior offenses
- 10 years
- Fine, third DUI
- $3,800 to $10,000
- High-BAC penalty tier
- 0.16% and above
Statutory figures were checked against South Carolina law (primary source) and last verified May 2026. Typical ranges are market estimates, not law; see our methodology.
Worked example
With the calculator's default answers (offense number: First offense; bac level at arrest: 0.10%; aggravating factors present: None):
| Cost | Typical |
|---|---|
| Misdemeanor Defense Attorney Fees | $6,250 |
| Misdemeanor Fines and Court Costs | $1,300 |
| Estimated total (range $3,320 to $11,720) | $7,550 |
Change the answers in the calculator above to see your own estimate.
On our estimates, a typical first-offense DUI in South Carolina comes to about $20,679, the 17th highest of the 50 states. The median of our 50 state estimates is $17,615. These come from the total-cost calculator with its default answers, not from a national survey.
South Carolina DUI Overview
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