What is an administrative license suspension?

An administrative license suspension (ALS) is a law in South Carolina that states if a driver is arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), their license will immediately be suspended. The suspension is administered by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and is independent of any criminal penalties that might be imposed. An ALS suspension is different than a criminal suspension, which is imposed by a court after a person has been convicted of a DUI. The ALS ruling is determined immediately after a DUI arrest and is based on the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC). If a driver has a BAC over .08, the license is suspended for six months. If the BAC is over .15, the license is suspended for one year. During an ALS suspension, the driver is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle, and failure to comply with the ALS suspension can result in a criminal conviction. After the suspension period ends, the driver’s license will be reinstated, but the driver may need to adhere to certain restrictions or complete community service. ALS suspensions are taken very seriously in South Carolina and should be avoided at all costs. It is important for drivers to know the risks and legal penalties associated with drinking and driving.

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