How to Get a South Carolina Driver’s License
To get a South Carolina license, you must pay a fee and may need to visit the state DMV, pass certain tests, and submit documents that provide your identity.
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To get a driver’s license in South Carolina, drivers must follow the requirements set by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). But the process works differently depending on whether you’re an adult driver or a new teen driver.
Adult drivers — including people with an out-of-state license — must submit an application, pass a vision and road test, and pay applicable fees. You’ll also need to provide certain documents, like proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and your current South Carolina address. The state requires teen drivers to take part in the state’s graduated licensing program, which starts with a beginner’s permit.
Here’s a closer look at how to get a South Carolina driver’s license.
How to get a teen driver’s license in South Carolina
South Carolina requires teen drivers to participate in the state’s graduated licensing system. It starts with a beginner’s permit, which allows teens aged 15 and older to practice supervised driving between 6 a.m. and midnight under certain conditions.1
Teens must have a licensed adult driver age 21 or older who has had their license for at least one year in the vehicle. And to get a beginner’s permit, you’ll need to pass both a vision test and a knowledge test — plus provide documentation, like a government-issued birth certificate.
You must keep a beginner’s permit for at least 180 days before you can apply for a conditional driver’s license. Teen drivers are also required to be enrolled in public or private school, take a driver’s education course, complete six hours of behind-the-wheel training, and practice 40 hours of driving — with 10 of those hours at night.2
The next step is a conditional license for drivers between ages 15 and a half and 16 — which allows you to drive between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. with no more than two passengers younger than 21. To receive a conditional license, you’ll also have to pass a South Carolina road test and submit several documents.
If you’re 16, you may receive a special restricted license allowing you to drive to school or work. And once you turn 17 or have your conditional license for one year, you can earn full, unrestricted driving privileges — as long as your record is free of traffic offenses and at-fault accidents.
Keep in Mind
You’ll also need to be covered by car insurance — even when you get your beginner’s permit. Shopping around can help you find the cheapest insurance for teenagers.
How to get a license after moving to South Carolina
If you move to South Carolina and already have a driver’s license from a different state, you must transfer your license within 45 days and pay all applicable fees.
To transfer your license, you must visit an SCDMV location in person to surrender your old driver’s license and provide the following documents:
Proof of a current, physical South Carolina address
Social Security number
Proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and date of birth
Legal documents related to any name changes
Car insurance information
To get a REAL ID, additional documentation will be required. New South Carolina residents also have to pass a vision test. You may also have to pass a knowledge and road test if you don’t have a physical copy of your out-of-state license.
International drivers moving to South Carolina may need to provide additional documentation.3
How to renew a South Carolina driver’s license
Your South Carolina driver’s license expires every eight years, typically on your birthday. The SCDMV allows you to renew driver’s licenses online, via mail, or in person at an SCDMV location. You may also be able to renew a REAL ID online if the required documents are already on file with the SCDMV and you meet other criteria.4
A vision test is required for all renewals and can be completed at the SCDMV, or you can submit documentation from a South Carolina-licensed eye-care professional. People with more than five points on their driver’s license will also need to pass a knowledge test.
To renew your license online, visit the SCDMV website and pay a $25 fee with a credit or debit card. Keep in mind that if you have unpaid traffic fines, are convicted of an offense, or have a suspended license, you won’t be eligible for online renewal. You must also be a U.S. citizen to renew online.
How to reinstate a South Carolina driver’s license
People with a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction or other serious offense, like failure to pay child support, may be able to reinstate a suspended South Carolina driver’s license. Generally, the process requires you to meet court requirements, like an alcohol and drug safety program, and pay a reinstatement fee. You may also need to install an ignition interlock device.
Some drivers with suspended licenses may also qualify for a hardship license during the suspension period. South Carolina offers several options, including a temporary alcohol license, a provisional driver’s license, or a route-restricted driver’s license. Each option has specific requirements and costs $100.
South Carolina driver’s license FAQs
The process to get a South Carolina driver’s license varies widely depending on the type of license you’re applying for. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about how to get a South Carolina driver’s license.
What are the requirements for a South Carolina driver’s license?
To get a driver’s license in South Carolina, you’ll need to fill out an application and provide documents, such as proof of identity and proof of your current address. Depending on your age and the type of license, you may also be required to pass a vision test and a written test, complete a course, and pay a fee.
What do you need to transfer a driver’s license to South Carolina?
To transfer your driver’s license to South Carolina, you need to apply for a new license, pay applicable fees, and provide documents, like a valid U.S. passport and proof of a current South Carolina address. You must also pass a vision test and surrender your old license.
How long does it take to get a South Carolina driver’s license?
Several factors determine how long it takes to get a driver’s license in South Carolina, including your age, license type, and unique situation. For example, receiving a beginner’s permit or conditional license takes longer than transferring an out-of-state license.
Can you get a South Carolina driver’s license online?
It depends. You may be able to renew your South Carolina driver’s license online. But if you don’t meet certain conditions, are transferring an out-of-state license, or you’re a teen driver, you generally can’t use the state’s online services.
Do you need to retake a driving test when moving to South Carolina?
No. A vision test is required, but adult drivers with a valid out-of-state license typically don’t need to retake a driving test when moving to South Carolina. But if your license has expired, you must take a knowledge and road test.
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