If you are visiting South Carolina, a southern state with charming cities, you will more than likely need a rental car. It’s helpful to know some of the rules and regulations before getting behind the wheel so you can have a stress-free trip.
Driving Rules and Regulations
General
- The driver and every occupant of a motor vehicle are required to wear a seat belt.
- While riding in a vehicle every child under 6 years of age is required to have a child passenger restraint.
- Every vehicle that is traveling on a street or highway needs to have the headlights turned on, from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and at any other time when windshield wipers are in use as a result of rain, sleet, or snow.
- When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
- Drivers are required to move over to the far lane when passing emergency vehicles stopped on the roadside with lights flashing. Similarly, if an emergency vehicle is traveling down the road with lights and sirens activated, drivers are required by law to move as close as possible to the curb on the right side of the roadway, stop and allow the emergency vehicle to pass. If stopping is not possible you must at least slow down.
- Ramp-metering signals control the flow of traffic from on-ramps onto freeways. A green signal allows a single car to enter the freeway at a time. Two-lane on-ramps may have two signals – one for each lane.
Speed Limits
When driving within the city limits on a normal street, the speed limit in South Carolina will be a maximum of 30 miles per hour. Unpaved country roads have a maximum speed of 40 mph. Otherwise, the table below offers ranges of speeds you can expect on different roads, although always be sure to look out for any speed limit postings in construction or school zones.
| Within city limits: | 20-30 mph |
|---|---|
| Undivided rural road: | 45-55 mph |
| Divided rural road: | 55-65 mph |
| Freeway within city limits: | 55-70 mph |
| Freeway outside city limits: | 70 mph |
Overtaking & Turns
- After coming to a complete stop at a red light, you may make a right on red from the right lane if there is not a sign prohibiting it.
- U-turns are legal in South Carolina at intersections where there is not a sign posted prohibiting them.
- The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction should pass to the left.
- The driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction a school bus stopped on a highway or private road must stop before reaching the bus where there are in operation on the bus flashing red lights and the driver must not proceed until the bus resumes motion or the flashing red lights stop. The driver of a vehicle must not overtake a school bus that has amber visual signals in use.
- The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Car Rental with Sixt in South Carolina
We offer a wide variety of vehicles for every type of traveler. That makes it easy to rent a sedan, compact car, sports car, convertible, or SUV for your visit to this southern state. If you are traveling to Charleston, the oldest and second largest city in South Carolina, you will need a car rental to make the most of your trip. For a relaxing time, you might want to visit Charleston Waterfront Park, a lovely green public space overlooking the coast where you can have a picnic and enjoy the view. Go to the Sound of Charleston to find out about the musical history of the city or view the stunning architecture of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
