To make the most of your Palmetto State riding experience, review the rules of the road and motorcycle insurance requirements. South Carolina boasts a strong motorcycle riding community—and with its winding roads, historic cities, and quick access to both coasts and mountains, you’ll want your insurance in order so you can focus on the ride.
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) requires you to have a valid motorcycle (class M) driver’s license before cruising the state’s public roads on your bike. If you’ve never had a driver’s license before, you’ll first need to apply for a learner’s permit and hold it for at least 180 days. Here are some conditions you need to meet before getting your license:
Once you get your license, follow these road safety regulations:
Get a free Dairyland® quote: Learn how you can save on your South Carolina motorcycle insurance policy.
The minimum motorcycle insurance coverage amounts in South Carolina are:
Insurers are also required to provide underinsured motorist coverage in South Carolina, but you can opt to reject it.
With Dairyland®, you can expand your bodily injury liability coverage to a maximum of $500,000 per person and $500,000 per accident.
Yes—several, in fact. Purchasing additional coverages beyond the standard required motorcycle coverages can help protect you in a range of incident types. We offer the following optional coverages in South Carolina:
A motorcycle wreck can leave your bike with dents and gouges that need your mechanic’s attention—and in a major accident, your motorcycle could be damaged beyond repair. This coverage helps pay for your motorcycle repair or replacement costs.
Collisions aren’t the only threats your bike faces. South Carolina ranks in the top five in the nation for annual motorcycle thefts, with 1,601 cases reported in 2019, according to a National Insurance Claim Bureau (NICB) report. If your bike is stolen, this coverage will compensate you. It also covers repair costs from vandalism and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes.
A trip to the ER or a night in the ICU can burden you with costly, unplanned medical bills. This coverage pays for treatment and funeral expenses after an accident.
Additional optional coverages available in South Carolina include:
If you’re unsure which motorcycle insurance coverages are right for you, we can help. Give us a call at 800-334-0090.
At Dairyland, we want to help you save money on our already-affordable rates. That’s why we offer a range of motorcycle insurance discounts. Check out these available discounts—you could qualify for several, depending on your situation.
If you’re looking for a short but thrilling ride up the mountain, head to Caesars Head State Park. Start your ride on Highway 276 in Cleveland, then head north and branch into Highway 11. The twisty roads—featuring sharp turns, tight hairpins, and views of the lush surrounding forests—make the steep five-mile ascent to the summit a fun challenge.
This route is popular among natives and tourists for a good reason. You can experience everything nature has to offer in upstate South Carolina—scenic views of mountains, beautiful waterfalls, lakes, forests, and wildlife.
The 117-mile route starts in Gaffney on Route 11, heading west to the Georgian border. You can make many detours along the way as you pass by several state parks, including Caesars Head, Table Rock, Keowee-Toxaway, and Devil’s Fork.
Experience South Carolina’s history with this quick 11-mile ride from Church Creek to Bacons Bridge Road. You’ll want to visit the enshrined Middleton Place, Magnolia, and Drayton Plantations or stop by the state’s oldest church—Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church. Between these historic landmarks, enjoy the serenity provided by canopies of hickory and oak trees along the road.
As you get ready to journey across the state, don’t forget to protect yourself with motorcycle insurance. Start by requesting a free South Carolina motorcycle insurance quote from Dairyland today.