Myrtle Beach Safety Tips

The legal drinking age is 21 for all alcoholic beverages.

Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is illegal. This includes the beach. Having open containers of alcohol in vehicles also is illegal.

Motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 must wear an approved helmet under South Carolina law. Such helmets must include a neck or chin strap and must be reflectorized on both sides. Operators under 21 also must wear goggles or a face shield.

Any motorcycle driver must be endorsed or have a valid motorcycle permit in his/her possession. Motorcycles shall not be operated between lanes of traffic or lines of vehicles. Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.

Motorcycles carrying passengers must be designed for carrying passengers and must be equipped with footrests for the passenger. Motorcycles are required to have a rear view mirror.

Speeding laws are strictly enforced, as are seat belt laws.

Sleeping in cars or on the beach is illegal between 9:00 p.m. and sunrise. It is illegal to dress or undress in a vehicle if so doing results in indecent exposure to the public.

Thong bikini bathing suits and the public display of certain body parts (breasts, buttocks, pubic area, genitals) are illegal on the beach and elsewhere and can result in arrest.

The Grand Strand has zero tolerance for disorderly conduct and disruptive behavior.

Private property owners may tow vehicles from their property at the vehicle owner’s expense. Look for signage before parking in a private parking lot.

Parking restrictions are enforced. Illegally parked vehicles will be towed.

Cruising is restricted from 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on Ocean Boulevard (Myrtle Beach).

The Grand Strand has zero tolerance for drug possession and related crimes.

Sale, possession or use of fireworks is illegal within city limits, including on the beach.

Soliciting (the sale of items or the offer to sell items) is illegal in the public right-of-way, on other public lands and on private property where posted. It is illegal to solicit occupants of vehicles in the roadway.

In South Carolina, the driver and every occupant of a motor vehicle must wear seatbelts.

South Carolina law prohibits use of a motor vehicle that has been raised or lowered by more than six inches in either front or back on the public roads. This provision does not apply to pickup trucks.

Mufflers are required for all vehicles and must be in good working order to prevent excessive noise or annoying smoke. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on the public road.

Myrtle Beach’s noise ordinance prohibits unnecessary or unusually loud noises, including, but not limited to, loudspeakers, amplifiers, yells/shouts, exhausts and tire spinning.