Horry County Traffic Ticket Records

Horry County is home to Myrtle Beach and one of the most visited tourism destinations in the eastern United States. The county processes an exceptionally high volume of traffic citations each year due to its seasonal tourist population and major highways including US-17, US-501, and SC-31. Horry County traffic ticket records are managed through the 15th Judicial Circuit and are searchable online through the South Carolina Courts Public Index. Whether your citation came from the Highway Patrol, the Horry County Sheriff, or a municipal officer, the record enters the same public court system.

Search Horry County Traffic Ticket Records

The SC Courts Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/horry provides comprehensive online access to Horry County traffic ticket records. Search by party name or case number to find citations from any court within the county. The system covers summary court filings, magistrate cases, and circuit court records filed in Horry County. The Horry County Public Index is among the more complete systems in South Carolina, reflecting the county's high volume of traffic matters.

The SC Courts traffic ticket search is the fastest tool for locating a specific citation when you have the ticket number or driver's license number. Results display case status, fines owed, and upcoming court dates. This is especially helpful for out-of-state tourists who received a Horry County citation and need to resolve it remotely.

Note: Horry County's seven municipal courts, including Myrtle Beach and Conway, each maintain their own records. Citations issued by city officers appear in the Public Index under the relevant municipal court jurisdiction. If your ticket was issued within city limits, confirm which court has the record before contacting the county clerk.

Horry County Clerk of Court

The Horry County Clerk of Court, Renee N. Elvis, oversees court records at the Government and Justice Center in Conway. The clerk's office handles General Sessions, Common Pleas, Family Court, and Summary Court records. Staff can assist with in-person record requests, certified copy orders, and questions about case status. Traffic case files are retained for three years after disposition under the county's records management policy.

The Horry County government website provides links to court services, the clerk's office, and public record resources for residents and visitors managing traffic citations.

Horry County Central Traffic Court

Horry County operates a dedicated Central Traffic Court to handle the large volume of traffic matters generated by the county's tourism economy. The Central Traffic Court is reachable at (843) 915-5070. This court handles citations issued by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and Horry County Sheriff's Office within the unincorporated areas of the county. Citations issued within any of Horry County's municipal boundaries are handled by the respective municipal court for that city or town.

The Horry County Magistrate Courts handle traffic citations through the county court system.

Horry County Central Traffic Court handles citations from the Sheriff's Office and State Highway Patrol for all unincorporated areas of the county, separate from the seven municipal courts serving individual cities and towns.

Horry County's seven municipal courts operate as Courts Not of Record under S.C. Code §14-25-45. These courts cover Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Atlantic Beach, Loris, and Aynor. Records Management is located at 3230 Highway 319, Conway, SC 29526, and handles long-term record retention for the county court system at (843) 915-5420.

Paying a Horry County Traffic Ticket

Horry County participates in South Carolina's statewide online payment system at SC.GOV. Select Horry County from the list, enter your citation number, and complete payment by credit or debit card. Online payment is available for eligible citations that do not require a mandatory court appearance. Tourist visitors and out-of-state drivers can use this portal without returning to South Carolina.

Citations requiring a court appearance cannot be resolved through online payment alone. DUI, reckless driving, and failure to stop for law enforcement are examples that typically require appearing before a judge. Contact the Central Traffic Court at (843) 915-5070 or the relevant municipal court to confirm whether your citation allows remote resolution.

In-person payments are accepted at the courthouse in Conway during regular business hours. The Horry County Records Management office at 3230 Highway 319 handles long-term document requests and archived case files. Online services including court dockets, rosters, and Public Index access are available through the SC Judicial Branch website.

Traffic Laws Enforced in Horry County

All traffic enforcement in Horry County follows Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The same statutes that apply statewide govern every road and highway within Horry County. Heavy seasonal traffic and a high number of out-of-state drivers make enforcement of speed limits and distracted driving laws especially active during peak tourist months.

Speed limits under §56-5-1520 are set at 70 mph on interstates and expressways, 55 mph on rural highways, and 30 mph in residential and business districts. Fines for speeding range from $15 for minor violations to $200 for speeds 25 mph or more over the posted limit. Officers must record the exact speed measured on every citation.

Reckless driving under §56-5-2920 adds six points to the driver's record and is a criminal misdemeanor. DUI under §56-5-2930 carries escalating minimum penalties: first offense requires at least $400 and 48 hours in jail; second offense requires at least $2,100 and 30 days in jail; third and subsequent offenses are felonies with at least 60 days incarceration. Texting while driving under §56-5-3890 is a primary offense with a $25 fine. Failure to stop for law enforcement under §56-5-750 carries a $500 to $1,000 fine plus up to three years in prison for a first offense.

SCDMV Driving Records for Horry County Drivers

Every traffic conviction in Horry County is reported to the SCDMV. Drivers can check their current point total for free at scdmvonline.com. Full three-year or ten-year driving records are available for $10 at dmv.sc.gov. Accumulating 12 or more points triggers automatic license suspension. Out-of-state drivers who received a Horry County citation should check with their home state DMV as well, since South Carolina convictions may be reported under driver compact agreements.

For mail record requests, use SCDMV Form MV-70 and send a $10 payment to the SCDMV. Do not send cash. Allow one to two weeks for delivery. The SCDMV does not send text messages to collect unpaid fines. Any such message is a scam and should be reported.

Note: Habitual traffic offenders under §56-1-720 face a five-year license revocation. This status applies statewide and includes Horry County convictions accumulated across multiple courts.

Public Records Access in Horry County

Horry County traffic ticket records are public records under S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10. Written requests to the clerk's office or Records Management department must be answered within 10 business days for records less than 24 months old and within 20 business days for older records. Copy and research fees may apply.

As of January 1, 2026, home address information has been removed from all Public Index displays in South Carolina, including Horry County. Traffic records visible online include case numbers, charge descriptions, court dates, and final dispositions. Certified copies require a written request to the clerk's office and an additional fee beyond standard copy rates.

Browse Nearby Counties

Horry County is the largest county in South Carolina and borders Georgetown and Marion counties in the state.

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