South Carolina Motorcycle Laws and Requirements

Everyone who owns or drives a motorcycle in South Carolina must comply with the state’s motorcycle laws. These laws were enacted to help prevent accidents, minimize the risk of serious injuries, and ensure that accident victims receive compensation when an owner or driver causes a crash. Violations of these laws may result in civil lawsuits, criminal penalties, and the loss of operating privileges.

Do you need a motorcycle license in South Carolina?

Motorcycle operators must be at least 15 years of age to apply for a South Carolina motorcycle license. Operators under 17 must also have their learner’s permit for 180 days or more before applying. Out-of-state applicants under 17 may be required to complete an approved driver’s education course unless they can provide proof of equivalent education and experience from their home state.

Applicants of all ages must have the correct documentation and pass a road test and a skills test. Those who pass an approved education test (such as a course offered by the South Carolina Motorcycle Safety Foundation) may not have to complete the skills test. However, they still need to pass a road test. Applicants who successfully complete an approved motorcycle safety course, such as one offered by the South Carolina Motorcycle Safety Foundation, may be exempt from both the road and skills tests.

All motorcycle riders must:

• Have a South Carolina driver’s license
• Provide proof of motorcycle liability insurance
• Provide proof of registration of their motorcycle
• Have written parental consent if they are a minor
• Pass a vision test
• Have proof of South Carolina residency and US citizenship
• Meet other requirements

On completion of the application and tests, the applicant will receive a class M endorsement on their driver’s license.

There are other requirements for obtaining a motorcycle permit.

Do you need motorcycle insurance in South Carolina?

According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, motorcycle owners and operators must have the following minimum liability insurance (insurance that covers a victim’s damage when the owner or operator is liable for an accident):

• Bodily injury per person. $25,000.
• Bodily injury per accident (multiple victims). $50,000.
• Property damage. $25,000.

Bodily injury coverage pays for a victim’s medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other financial and personal damages.

As we mentioned above, in order to obtain and keep your motorcycle license, you need to provide proof that your motorcycle has the proper insurance coverage.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC, we recommend that motorcycle operators purchase as much coverage over the minimum as they can reasonably afford. Just one night in a hospital can cost a fortune. Many vehicles, especially cars and trucks, are worth much more than $25,000.

Our South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers also recommend that motorcycle owners and operators purchase UM/UIM (uninsured/underinsured) coverage in case the driver who crashes into their motorcycle can’t pay their personal injury claim, or the responsible driver is a hit-and-run driver. Motorcycle owners should also consider collision insurance, which pays for the damage to your motorcycle regardless of fault.

Does South Carolina have a motorcycle helmet law?

Yes. In South Carolina, all motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 must wear a motorcycle helmet. For riders 21 and over, wearing a motorcycle helmet is optional. The helmet must be of a type that is approved by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. The “helmet must be equipped with a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides thereof.”

What other laws govern motorcycle equipment and motorcycle riding in South Carolina?

Some of the other requirements for owning or operating a motorcycle in South Carolina include the following:

• Rights and duties. All motorcycle operators have the same rights and duties as operators of other vehicles, except where South Carolina provides for specific differences.
• Manner of operation. The operator must ride on the regular seat of the motorcycle. The operator shouldn’t transport passengers unless the motorcycle seat is designed for two people, or there is another seat “firmly attached to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.” Riders should face forward with one leg on each side of the motorcycle. The operator shall not carry packages or other items that prevent the operator from having both hands on the handlebars. Passengers should not interfere with the safe operation of the motorcycle.
• Lane use. Motorcycle operators are entitled to the full use of their lane of travel, with the exception of two (and no more than two) motorcycles occupying the same lane. Cars and trucks can’t use the same lane as motorcycles. Motorcycle operators must pass in separate lanes, not the same lanes as other vehicles.
• Footrests and rearview mirrors. Motorcycles must have footrests for their passenger unless the motorcycle has a sidecar or an enclosed cab. Motorcycles must have a rear-view mirror.
• Goggles or face shields. Operators under 21 must wear approved goggles or face shields of a type that the SC Department of Safety approves. There is an exception for motorcycles that are equipped with approved windscreens.

The penalty for violating South Carolina’s motorcycle helmet laws or any of these additional laws is a misdemeanor charge, a fine of up to $100, and imprisonment of no more than 30 days. Additionally, the failure to comply with these regulations may be a contributing factor in a South Carolina motorcycle accident victim’s personal injury or wrongful death case.

At McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC, we’ve been fighting for motorcycle accident victims for nearly 20 years. We understand the laws and safe driving requirements that the drivers of motorcycles, cars, trucks, and other vehicles must follow.

Our South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers have helped many victims obtain strong recoveries, including:

• $1.65 million (the insurance policy limits) for a young man injured when a pickup truck turned in front of his motorcycle.
• $1.25 million for a young woman injured in a pedestrian/motorcycle accident.

Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips LLC is here to help. Our South Carolina motorcycle accident lawyers have offices in or near Charleston, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, and Rock Hill.