Myrtle Beach Traffic Citations and Records

Myrtle Beach traffic court records are handled by the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court and the Horry County Magistrate Court system. Myrtle Beach is one of South Carolina's most visited cities, drawing millions of tourists each year to the Grand Strand. The city sits in Horry County and is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. Traffic violations in Myrtle Beach are processed at a high volume, especially during peak tourist season. You can search for Myrtle Beach traffic court records through the South Carolina Judicial Branch online tools or by contacting the Municipal Court directly.

Where Myrtle Beach Traffic Records Are Processed

Traffic citations issued by the Myrtle Beach Police Department are handled at Myrtle Beach Municipal Court. This court processes violations that occur within the city limits and handles both resident and out-of-state defendants. Because Myrtle Beach sees large numbers of visitors, the court regularly manages cases involving non-South Carolina drivers who received citations while on vacation.

Citations issued on Myrtle Beach area roads by the Horry County Sheriff or South Carolina Highway Patrol go through the Horry County Magistrate Court, not the Municipal Court. Always check the issuing officer's agency name on your citation to confirm where your case will be heard. Horry County Clerk of Court information is available at horrycounty.org.

How to Search Myrtle Beach Traffic Court Records

The South Carolina Traffic Ticket Search at sccourts.org/apps/traffic-ticket-search is available to all South Carolina residents and out-of-state visitors who received citations here. Search by citation number, driver's license number, or name and date of birth. The portal covers participating Summary Courts across the state, and some municipal courts also participate.

For Myrtle Beach Municipal Court records that are not in the statewide ticket search, contact the court directly. The clerk can look up cases by name or citation number and tell you the case status, fine amount, and hearing date. If you received your citation while visiting from out of state, you have the same rights as a South Carolina resident to request and review court records. Court records are public under the SC Freedom of Information Act.

The SC Public Index at sccourts.org/case-records-search lets you search Horry County records for county-level cases. Select Horry County from the dropdown and search by party name or case number. This tool is best for magistrate court and circuit court cases rather than municipal court records, which have separate systems.

Note: The SC Public Index no longer displays home address information as of January 2026, which protects personal information in public court records.

Myrtle Beach Traffic Court for Out-of-State Visitors

Myrtle Beach handles more traffic cases from out-of-state drivers than most South Carolina cities. The court has specific procedures for visitors who cannot return for a court date. If you received a citation in Myrtle Beach while visiting from another state, read your ticket carefully. Citations not marked with a mandatory appearance requirement can often be resolved by paying the fine online or by mail before the court date.

The SC.GOV payments portal at sc.gov provides online payment access for eligible citations. Check this portal first if you received a Myrtle Beach traffic ticket and cannot travel back for your court date. Pay at least 48 hours before your scheduled court date to ensure the payment processes in time.

Citations marked "Appearance Required" cannot be resolved by payment alone. You must appear in Myrtle Beach Municipal Court on your assigned date. If you fail to appear, the court may issue a bench warrant. For out-of-state drivers, a warrant from a South Carolina court can affect your driving privileges in your home state through the Driver License Compact, which most states participate in. Contact the Myrtle Beach Municipal Court as soon as possible if you have missed a court date.

Myrtle Beach Traffic Violations and Point Values

South Carolina uses a point system for all traffic convictions, including those from Myrtle Beach courts. Points are set by SC Code Title 56 and are the same statewide. A speeding conviction for going 10 to 25 mph over the limit carries four points. Reckless driving carries six points. Speeding violations involving Highway 17 or Highway 501 in Myrtle Beach are common during tourist season and often involve higher speed differentials.

Accumulating 12 points triggers automatic license suspension in South Carolina. The SCDMV sends warning letters at 6 points. Drivers can remove up to four points once every three years by completing a certified defensive driving course. This option applies to violations with four or fewer points and must be arranged through the court or SCDMV before points are assessed. Learn more about the points system at dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/points-system.

The image below is from the SCDMV points system page, which applies to all Myrtle Beach traffic convictions. Visit the page to look up specific violation point values before deciding how to handle your citation.

Out-of-state drivers should know that under South Carolina law, convictions are reported to the SCDMV, which then forwards the information to the driver's home state. Your home state may apply its own point values to the same offense.

Paying or Contesting a Myrtle Beach Traffic Ticket

Myrtle Beach Municipal Court accepts multiple forms of payment including cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Online payment may be available through the city or the statewide SC.GOV portal. Payment before your court date resolves the case as a guilty plea and forfeiture under SC Code Section 56-5-6220. Points will be added to your driving record upon payment.

Contesting your Myrtle Beach citation gives you the chance to appear before the Municipal Court Judge. You may argue the violation, present evidence, or request a lesser charge. South Carolina law allows defendants to request a jury trial for eligible offenses. The four pleas available in South Carolina traffic court are forfeiture, not guilty, guilty, and no contest (nolo contendere). All pleas except not guilty result in a conviction and points on your record.

For violations with four or fewer points, you may ask about attending a defensive driving course in lieu of or in addition to a fine. Granting this option is at the court's discretion. Contact Myrtle Beach Municipal Court before your hearing date to ask if this option is available for your specific violation.

SC Traffic Ticket Search for Myrtle Beach Citations

The SC Judicial Branch provides a statewide traffic ticket search tool that works for many Myrtle Beach area citations. The screenshot below shows the official SC Traffic Ticket Search portal at sccourts.org/apps/traffic-ticket-search. Use it to find your citation, check the fine amount, and pay online if eligible.

The portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. A convenience fee may apply to online credit card transactions. Always verify the citation information on screen matches your physical ticket before completing payment.

Horry County Traffic Court Records

Myrtle Beach is located in Horry County. Citations from county roads and state highways near Myrtle Beach go through the Horry County Magistrate Court system. For details on the county-level court structure, the Horry County Clerk of Court, and additional resources for the greater Grand Strand area, visit the Horry County page.

View Horry County Traffic Court Records

Nearby South Carolina Cities

Other Grand Strand and South Carolina cities process traffic records through their own courts. Choose a city below to find out more about traffic court records there.

View Major South Carolina Cities