--- title: "Driving a Squatted Truck in South Carolina Can Get Your License Pulled for a Year" date: "2024-05-01" modified: "2024-05-01" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/driving-a-squatted-truck-in-south-carolina-can-get-your-license-pulled-for-a-year" categories: - "News" --- # Driving a Squatted Truck in South Carolina Can Get Your License Pulled for a Year ![]() *Myrtle Beach Cam. YouTube* On November 12 2023, South Carolina issued a ban on the "[Carolina Squat,]()" the modification that lifts the front end of a vehicle higher than the rear. However, to give owners of "squatted" vehicles a chance to remedy them before getting in trouble, police were only dishing out warnings for the first six months. Well, that six-month grace period comes to an end on May 10 and drivers caught with squatted vehicles will face fines and potential loss of license. Traditionally speaking, a Carolina Squat is when any vehicle—usually a [pickup truck]()—is lifted significantly higher in the front than it is at the back. South Carolina law accounts for the inverse too, though. "'Squatted' vehicles include those with a front or rear fender raised four or more inches higher than the other," said the [South Carolina Department of Public Safety]() (DOPS). To make sure owners don't just eat the fines to keep their trucks the way they'd like, the penalties ascend for each continued offense. First offenders will get a $100 fine and second-time offenders receive a $200 fine. However, anyone who's pulled over for a Carolina Squat three times will not only get a $300 fine but they'll also lose their driver's license for a year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok3mIHjB8rk South Carolina isn't the only state to ban such squatting. North Carolina, [Virginia](), and Tennessee also banned it, though the latter's first offense fine is $250, higher than South Carolina's. Why are states banning this modification? Safety. Forward visibility becomes compromised once you aim the driver's point-of-view skyward and headlights become even more blinding. You're also introducing some very wonky steering geometry. Maybe I'm just an old man yelling at clouds but don't see the visual appeal of the Carolina Squat. It reminds me of a dog doing a gross butt-scoot across a carpet. So I won't be sad to see the squat go, especially since it can be a safety hazard. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()