Security deposited in compliance with the requirements of this article shall be placed by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the custody of the State Treasurer and shall be applicable only to the payment of judgments rendered against the persons on whose behalf the deposit was made for damages arising out of the accident in question in an action at law begun not later than two years after the date of the accident or within two years after the date of deposit of any security under item (3) of Section 56-9-354, and this deposit or any balance thereof shall be returned to the depositor or his personal representative when evidence satisfactory to the Department has been filed with it that there has been a release from liability, a final adjudication of nonliability, a warrant for confession of judgment or a duly acknowledged agreement, in accordance with item (7) of Section 56-9-352 or whenever, after the expiration of two years from the date of the accident or within two years after the date of deposit of any security under item (3) of Section 56-9-354, the Department shall be given reasonable evidence that there is no action pending and no judgment rendered in the action left unpaid.
S.C. Code § 56-9-360