Myrtle Beach Traffic Ticket Records

Myrtle Beach is South Carolina's premier coastal tourist destination, drawing millions of visitors each year to its oceanfront hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. As a result, the Myrtle Beach Police Department issues a high volume of traffic citations to both residents and out-of-state visitors. Located in Horry County with a year-round population of roughly 35,000 that swells significantly during peak tourist seasons, the city's municipal court regularly handles citations involving drivers from across the country. This page explains how to find Myrtle Beach traffic ticket records, pay fines, and understand your legal options whether you are a South Carolina resident or a visiting driver.

Myrtle Beach Municipal Court

The Myrtle Beach Municipal Court is located at 1621 N. Oak Street. The court processes all traffic citations issued by the Myrtle Beach Police Department within city limits, including speeding, red light violations, reckless driving, DUI, failure to stop, driving under suspension, and other offenses under South Carolina's traffic code. Because Myrtle Beach is a high-tourism destination, the court handles a substantial number of cases involving out-of-state drivers, particularly from the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Court staff is experienced in working with defendants who do not live locally and need to resolve citations by mail, phone, or online.

The City of Myrtle Beach's official website at cityofmyrtlebeach.com provides links to municipal departments, including public safety and court services. If you received a citation in Myrtle Beach and have questions about the court process, calling (843) 918-1300 during regular business hours is the most direct way to get current information about your case.

How to Search Myrtle Beach Traffic Ticket Records

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a statewide traffic ticket search tool at sccourts.org/apps/traffic-ticket-search/. This is the fastest way to look up a citation issued in Myrtle Beach. Enter your citation number to see the status of your case, the fine amount owed, and any upcoming hearing dates. The tool is free and available at any hour, making it especially convenient for out-of-state visitors who have returned home after receiving a citation during their stay.

The SC Courts Public Index at sccourts.org/caseSearch/ lets you search Myrtle Beach Municipal Court records by party name or case number. This system covers both active and closed cases and is useful for verifying that a payment has been properly recorded or checking the outcome of a past citation. The Public Index is a free resource available to anyone.

Out-of-state drivers who received a citation in Myrtle Beach should be particularly attentive to any court date listed on their ticket. Ignoring a citation issued in South Carolina does not make it go away. Unpaid or unresolved citations can result in a hold being placed on your driving privileges in South Carolina, which may in turn affect your home-state license under interstate compact agreements.

Note: If your citation was issued during a major event weekend in Myrtle Beach, allow extra processing time for the case to appear in the online system, as citation volume is significantly higher during special events.

Online Ticket Payment in Myrtle Beach

Eligible Myrtle Beach traffic fines can be paid online through South Carolina's statewide court payment system at sc.gov under the traffic tickets and court payments section. The portal accepts credit and debit card payments and is one of the most convenient options for out-of-state drivers who want to resolve a citation without traveling back to Myrtle Beach.

Not all offenses are eligible for online payment. DUI, reckless driving, and certain other serious charges require a mandatory court appearance regardless of the defendant's home state. If your citation lists a required court appearance, you must appear in person at 1621 N. Oak Street on the scheduled date, or contact the court at (843) 918-1300 to discuss your options. Failing to appear can result in a bench warrant being issued, which can complicate your driving record and license status across state lines.

In-person payments are accepted at the Municipal Court at 1621 N. Oak Street during regular business hours. Bring your citation number and a valid form of payment. If you are paying on behalf of someone else, you will also need their full name and citation number. Paying a fine closes your case as an admission of the violation.

Traffic Laws in Myrtle Beach

All traffic enforcement in Myrtle Beach follows South Carolina state law under Title 56 of the SC Code of Laws. Officers enforce these laws on all city streets, including the heavily traveled Ocean Boulevard, Kings Highway (US-17 Business), and the US-501 and US-17 bypass corridors that channel traffic into and out of the Grand Strand.

Speed limits in Myrtle Beach follow S.C. Code Ann. §56-5-1520. Ocean Boulevard and residential streets near the beach typically carry 25 to 30 mph limits, while major arterials run 35 to 45 mph. US-17 and US-501 outside city areas may reach 55 mph. Fines for speeding range from $15 to $200. Enforcement is particularly active during peak summer months when pedestrian traffic is high along the beachfront.

Reckless driving under §56-5-2920 carries six points on your driving record and is a common charge for aggressive driving on the crowded beachfront streets. Texting while driving under §56-5-3890 is a primary offense with a $25 first-offense fine and no points. DUI under §56-5-2930 carries a mandatory minimum of $400 and 48 hours in jail or community service for a first offense. DUI enforcement in Myrtle Beach is elevated year-round but especially during summer weekends and spring break season.

Driving under suspension under §56-1-460 results in a minimum $300 fine or 30 days in jail for a first offense. Failure to stop for a blue light under §56-5-750 carries fines of $500 to $1,000 and a license suspension of 90 days to three years for a first conviction. Out-of-state drivers convicted in Myrtle Beach should be aware that South Carolina reports convictions to other states under interstate driver compact agreements, meaning a conviction here can affect your home-state driving record.

Public Records Access in Myrtle Beach

Traffic ticket records in Myrtle Beach are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10. The city must respond to written records requests within 10 business days for records under 24 months old and within 20 business days for older records. Reasonable fees for staff research time and document copies may be charged.

To request records from the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court, write to the court at 1621 N. Oak Street, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, or call (843) 918-1300 to ask about the preferred submission method. Include the citation number, full name of the cited person, and the date of the incident. Out-of-state requesters can also submit requests by mail or email if that option is available from the court. The city will advise you of applicable fees before fulfilling the request.

SCDMV Driving Records and Points

South Carolina traffic convictions that carry points are reported to the SCDMV. If you are a South Carolina resident convicted in Myrtle Beach, those points are added to your SCDMV driving record. You can review your full driving record at dmv.sc.gov for $10.00. The record lists all convictions, point totals, and any license actions or restrictions on file. Accumulating 12 or more points triggers a mandatory license suspension.

For out-of-state drivers, the SCDMV will report your South Carolina conviction to your home state's DMV. Your home state then determines whether to add points or take action under its own laws. If you received a citation in Myrtle Beach while visiting, resolving it promptly is important to prevent complications that can follow you back across state lines. Mail requests for South Carolina driving records use the MV-70 form, available from the SCDMV website, along with a $10.00 payment.

Myrtle Beach County Records

Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County. All county-level traffic records go through the Horry County court system, including cases handled by the county magistrate court.

View Horry County Traffic Ticket Records

Nearby South Carolina Cities

Drivers in surrounding Grand Strand communities can find traffic ticket record resources for nearby cities below.

View Major South Carolina Cities