History of DMV

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an ever-growing, ever-changing entity. Two of the agencies under the DPS umbrella are the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Highway Patrol.

The Highway Patrol was formed in 1930 under the Motor Vehicle Division. Since then, it has grown to become its own agency.

The South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy opened in 1972 and graduates classes of officers each year; more than 900 troopers are patrolling over 64,750 miles of highway within the state.

There are 11 troops throughout the state, and three of those specializing troops are:

• ACE―The Agressive Criminal Enforcement team is charged with drug interdiction and felony apprehension and arrest.

• MAIT―The Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team uses the latest technology to investigate and recreate accidents.

• Insurance Enforcement.

The DPS provides a memorial page for Fallen Officers―officers killed in the line of duty. Since 1930, 41 troopers have lost their lives serving South Carolina.

Photographs

The DPS provides a Web page with historical photos of the barracks, sleeping quarters, and target practices of the training schools during the 1940s and 1950s.

More modern photos are also offered, displaying current vehicles used by the Highway patrol.