233 South Carolina Drivers Get Licenses Back in Amnesty Program

Hundreds of people regained their driving privileges during South Carolina’s first amnesty program for suspended licenses.

The Department of Motor Vehicles said the agency reissued 233 licenses between May 16 and 20.

People eligible for the program had violations such as operating an uninsured vehicle and driving while under suspension. The violations could not involve drugs or alcohol.

Drivers had to pay the required fees and have insurance.

DMV spokeswoman Beth Parks says 329 people cleared 371 suspensions. Some people cleared two suspensions. Nearly 100 people still couldn’t get a license because of their other, ineligible suspensions.

The state collected $32,600 in the program. It was required as part of a sentencing reform measure passed by the Legislature last year. The agency is supposed to offer amnesty annually.