Your interest in the job functions of SCDOT are very important to us. Listed here are some of the main questions we have been asked either through surveys or during visits to the communities. If you have a question that is not listed here, go to the Contact Us section of this site and submit it. Your question will be directed to the appropriate person or you will be notified who to contact depending on the nature of the question.
In South Carolina there are over 60,000 public road miles. SCDOT maintains over 41,000 miles of those roadways. The remaining miles are maintained by local governments, private businesses or individuals. To determine if your road is maintained by the state, go to SCDOT's free Street Finder tool.
You may also contact the SCDOT Customer Service Center Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at 1-855-GO-SCDOT to see if your road is a state road.
If the road is maintained by SCDOT, residential property owners may submit a maintenance request for a new driveway apron using the online Maintenance Work Request System
You may also contact the SCDOT Customer Service Center Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at
1-855-GO-SCDOT.
Driveway aprons for commercial businesses are completed under an encroachment permit through your respective local SCDOT county office. You will find information and instructions on the Encroachment Permits page.
To report a pothole, enter a work request online using the online Maintenance Work Request System.
You may also contact the SCDOT Customer Service Center Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at 1-855-GO-SCDOT.
Check project status on the SCDOT Construction Updates Website
Check maintenance projects on the SCDOT Road Conditions site.
The Call Center can assist the customer with navigating these webpages. They are open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm at 1-855-GO-SCDOT.
SCDOT receives and satisfies many requests for traffic signals each year. The agency also investigates and denies many signal requests which citizens consider needed. At many intersections, traffic signals offer the best solution for improved safety and traffic flow. But that is not always the case. There are locations where the positive effects of traffic signals are limited, at best, making it unnecessary and even undesirable to install them.
To determine if a traffic signal is warranted at a specific location, traffic engineers evaluate the location with respect to federal and state criteria, establishing minimum conditions under which signals may be installed. Such factors as number of vehicles approaching the intersection, frequency and type of accidents, physical layout of the intersection, average speed, and future road construction plans are considered.
SCDOT takes all requests for traffic signals seriously. When engineering studies indicate that traffic signals are warranted at a location, action is initiated to have signals installed.
"Children Playing" and similar signs are not recognized by SCDOT or the Federal Highway Administration as official traffic control devices and, therefore, are not installed by the Department.
Parents and others may fail to realize that signs warning motorists of the possible presence of children at play are deceiving and ineffective. Motorists already expect the presence of children in residential areas, especially at certain times, and studies show that devices attempting to warn motorists of normal conditions, or conditions not always present, fail to achieve the desired safety benefits.
These signs also tend to create a false sense of security of parents and children who believe the signs provide an added degree of protection, when motorists, particularly local ones, actually pay little attention to them.
The use of "Children Playing" and similar signs has long been discouraged since these signs are a direct and open suggestion to small children that playing in and beside the roadway is acceptable.
There is no evidence that such signs prevent accidents or reduce the speed of vehicles.
Speed bumps vary in height from 3" to 5" and are typically no wider than 2'. Understandably, a motorist would have to slow down to 15 mph or less to avoid severe jarring. Therefore, SCDOT does not consider them a viable traffic-calming alternative. Again, speed bumps are not approved traffic calming measure and will not be approved.
Four-way stop signs (stop in all directions) may be needed at intersections where accidents resulting from right and left turn maneuvers, as well as right-angle accidents, occur at an unacceptable rate, and where traffic volumes do not warrant traffic signal control. Traffic engineers evaluate the number of vehicles entering the intersection from all approaches and the number of pedestrians using the intersection. Another important factor is the speed of vehicles entering the intersection. Another is the number and types of accidents occurring at the intersection. If conditions meet the requirements necessary for the installation of four-way stop signs, SCDOT erects them, along with the proper pavement markings and advance warning devices. Warranted four-way stop signs contribute much to convenience and safety. They are one of the many traffic control devices used by SCDOT to effectively manage traffic on our roadways.
To receive a free copy of the latest South Carolina State Highway Map call or write:
Road Data Services - Room 534 (map request)
Office of Planning
South Carolina Department of Transportation
P. O. Box 191
Columbia, SC 29202
Telephone: (803)737-4533
The logo program in South Carolina is administered by a private contractor who is responsible for all marketing, construction and maintenance of the program. South Carolina Logos, Inc. (SCLI) is the current logo contractor and they will be glad to explain the logo program requirements, availability, and costs to prospective businesses. SCLI may be reached at 800-332-1727. For more information on the logo program, visit our Logo Signing Web Page.
The Oversize/Overweight Permit Office issues permits for loads and mobile homes that exceed the legal dimensions governed by the laws of South Carolina.
If your load or mobile home exceeds:
8 feet, six inches in width
13 feet, six inches in height
53 feet in length
80,000 pounds gross weight
you may need an oversize trip permit.
Contact the Oversize/Overweight Permit Office for information.
In Person:
955 Park Street
Columbia, SC 29201
By Mail:
South Carolina Department of Transportation
Attention OSOW Permit Office
P.O. Box 191
Columbia, SC 29202
By Email: OSOW Help
By Phone:
(877) 349-7190 (Toll Free)
(803) 737-OSOW or (803) 737-6769 (Local)
(803) 343-0700 (Fax)
If the road is a dirt road, most likely it is maintained by the county or city where it is located. SCDOT has only a few dirt roads in the State Highway System. You should first contact the county public works department for the county where the road is located. They will inform you if the road belongs to the county or to someone else. The procedure varies among counties, but the public works department should be able to advise you how to request this.
If the road is already paved and you would like it resurfaced, contact the SCDOT maintenance office in your county to inquire whether the road is maintained by SCDOT, and whether it is scheduled for resurfacing.
Traffic control signs are erected by the agency responsible for the maintenance of the road. You may contact the SCDOT maintenance office in your county to inquire what office is responsible for traffic control signs on your road. Street name signs are erected by counties and cities.
The South Carolina Tort Claims Act (Section 15-78-10) allows an individual to file a claim against the Agency. To file a claim against SCDOT, a Damage Claim Form (Form 2062) can be filled out. An individual has one year from the date of occurrence to file a damage claim. Under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, the Agency or its insurance carrier has 180 days after a claim is received to make a decision whether the claim is paid or denied.
To file a claim for damage resulting from a roadway condition, fill out a Damage Claim Form and submit this form along with two repair estimates or a paid invoice to the SCDOT Maintenance Office in the county where the incident occurred. If the claim is being submitted for damage to a registered vehicle, the registered owner(s) must be the claimant(s) and a copy of the vehicle registration must be included.
Contact the SCDOT Claims Office for questions on filing a claim:
South Carolina Department of Transportation
Attention: Claims Office
P. O. Box 191
Columbia, SC 29202
Telephone: (803) 737-1260
The Office of the SC Inspector General investigate reports of waste, fraud, and abuse. To report potentially fraudulent activity about a program administered by the agency, you can contact the Inspector General at this web site:
Office of the Inspector General - Report Waste & Abuse
