Driver's License Classes

Regular (non-commercial) driver's licenses are issued in the following classes depending on the type and intended use of the vehicle.  Click the following link if you are interested in Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL).

Identification Cards

Identification cards are issued to any persons at least 5 years of age and who are residents of South Carolina.  You may apply for an ID card by completing Form 447 and presenting proper identification at your local DMV office.  The card expires five years after the issue date. 

Getting and Maintaining Your Driver's License

South Carolina issues both five-year and ten-year licenses. If you are a United States citizen and you visit a DMV branch office to obtain an original or renewal license, you will receive a ten-year license unless you are over 65 years of age. Persons who are 65 years of age or older may not obtain a ten year license, but will be issued a five year license. If you apply for a license renewal license online, you will be issued a five-year license.

Follow the links below to obtain information on getting an initial driver license, renewing your license, and other driver services.

• How to get an Initial Driver License.
• How to get a Beginner's Permit.
• Review our Accepted Forms of Identification for obtaining an initial driver license, beginner's permit, or identification card.
• How to Renew Your Driver License.
• How to Reinstate a Driver License after a suspension.
• Insurance Requirements including information on registering as an uninsured motorist.

Lost or Stolen Driver's License

If your driver's license has been lost or stolen, you should report it to the local police. The Department of Motor Vehicles does not take any legal action in these cases unless there is reason to suspect that there is fraudulent use of this license.

To obtain a replacement for your regular Class D passenger vehicle license license, we encourage you to use our Public Services site and complete the transaction online.  Replacement credentials for identification cards, beginner’s permits, or commercial driver’s licenses are not available online at this time. If you choose to go to a DMV office you must complete Form DL-49, Lost or Surrendered Driver’s License, and Form 447, Application for South Carolina Credential.  Please note that you may only obtain one replacement license during any 12 month period by mail or online.

Non-United States citizens must provide proof of legal status in the United States. Please refer to the Accepted Forms of Identification page of this web site.

Name or Address Changes

South Carolina law requires you to change your name or address on department records within 10 days of your actual name or address change. When you change your name or address with the department, all of the vehicle and driver records that relate to you will be updated.

To change your address you may use our Public Services site, apply by mail or visit you local DMV office.  If you apply by mail you must complete Form 4057.

To change your name you must visit a DMV office, complete Form 4057, and present proper documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.  You cannot change your name by mail or online.

When you submit a change of name or address, the following documents will be changed, but you will not receive a new credential that reflects your new name or address unless you pay the required fee and complete any other required forms.

• Driver's License - Complete Form 4057, Form 447 and pay the $10.00 fee.
• Beginner's Permit - Complete Form 4057, Form 447 and pay the $2.50 fee.
• Identification Card - Complete Form 4057, Form 447 and pay the $5.00 fee.
• Vehicle Registration - Complete Form 4057. There is no charge.
• Vehicle Title - Complete Form 4057, and Form 400, submit the title reflecting your old name or address, and pay the $15.00 fee.

Effective August 1, 2005, the fee for a replacement driver’s license will increase from $3.00 to $10.00.

You may obtain any of these new credentials by mail by completing the required forms and sending the appropriate fees to:

DMV Alternative Media Office
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0035

Copy of Driving Record

To obtain driver information in South Carolina you must have consent from the driver or be eligible to obtain the information for a permissible use under the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994. Some permissible uses under DPPA are: use by a government agency, businesses to verify information, court proceeding, investigation, insurer, commercial driver's licenses, etc. A complete list of permissible uses can be found by going through the Cornell Law School website.  Use form MV-70. The cost is $6.00 per driver record.

Selective Service

SCDMV now provides information regarding all males 18 to 25 years old to the United States Selective Service when they apply for, renew or replace a driving credential or identification card. The new procedure, which is required by federal law, begins June 28, 2004.

Male applicants who are 18 to 25 years old and hold a South Carolina DMV credential must authorize DMV to transmit their information to Selective Service. If they refuse to give their consent, they will not be able to apply for, renew or replace their driving credential or identification card. Applicants who are 13 to 17 years of age will be issued a credential, but they will also be informed that their information will be automatically transmitted to Selective Service on their 18^th birthday unless they surrender their credential before their birthday. Eligible males who do not register with Selective Service will not be entitled to some government services such as student loans or grants, government jobs and some job training.

If you previously registered with Selective Service through another agency, you must still ensure that DMV records reflect that registration. If you are 18 to 25 years old and DMV records do not indicate Selective Service registration, you will not be able to apply for, renew or replace your driving credential or identification card.

Applicants who are United States citizens and 18 years of age or older may submit their information to DMV through the agency’s  Public Services website or by mailing Form 447-SEL to DMV. Applicants who are not United States citizens must visit a DMV branch office.

Frequently Asked Questions about Selective Service

• Why is DMV requiring young men to register for the Selective Service?
  South Carolina Code of Laws 56-1-125 linked Selective Service registration with an application for a SC driving credential and identification card. DMV is not registering young men with Selective Service, but is merely sending their information to Selective Service.
  
  
• Does the Selective Service registration requirement mean I am going to be drafted?
  No. The draft ended in 1973, but the Selective Service registration requirement was re-established in 1980. There is no draft in place at the present time.
  
  
• What if I’m too young to register for Selective Service?
  Young men who are 13 to 17 years old do not have to register with Selective Service until their 18th birthday. DMV will automatically send their information to Selective Service when they reach the age of 18 unless they surrender their driving credential or ID card before they turn 18.
  
  
• What if I don’t consent to being registered with Selective Service?
  If you are 18 to 25 years old, SC law does not permit DMV to issue you a driving credential or ID card without Selective Service registration. If you are 13 to 17 years old, DMV may issue you a credential, but your information will be automatically transmitted to Selective Service on your 18th birthday unless you surrender your credential before your 18th birthday.
  
  
• I’ve already registered with Selective Service. Does DMV still need my consent?
  If you previously registered with Selective Service through another agency, you must still ensure that DMV records reflect that registration. If you are 18 to 25 years old and DMV records do not indicate Selective Service registration, you will not be able to apply for, renew or replace your driving credential or identification card.
  
  
• I don’t think I need to register with Selective Service. Does the law still apply to me?
  DMV will send the information for all male customers who are 18 to 25 years old to Selective Service and that agency determines whether or not you must register.
  
  
• Can I renew my SC credential or get a duplicate credential and give my consent online?
  If you are a United States citizens and at least 18 years old, you can authorize DMV to send your information to Selective Service through the DMV Public Services website.  Public Serviceswebsite. If you are a minor, you cannot obtain a renewal or replacement credential online unless your parent or guardian signed the Selective Service notification Form 447-SEL.
  
  
• Can I renew my SC credential or get a duplicate credential by mail?
  If you are a United States citizens and over 18 years old, you may submit Form DL-63, Driver License Renewal By Mail Application, as your consent to be registered with Selective Service. If you are under 18, you and your parent or guardian must complete and submit the Selective Service notification Form 447-SEL along with your application. You must send both forms to the address indicated on the Form DL-63.
  
  
• How I find out more about Selective Service?
  Visit the Selective Service website at www.sss.gov.

Driver's License Fees

Effective August 1, 2005, the fee for a replacement driver’s license will increase from $3.00 to $10.00.

Gift of Life Trust Fund

When you apply for or renew a South Carolina driver’s license, beginner’s permit, or identification card, you may choose to add a notation to your license or ID card that indicates your desire to be an organ and tissue donor. You may also complete an organ donor card and carry it with your credential. All DMV offices have Uniform Donor Cards available. The organ donor card may also be downloaded from The Gift of Life Trust Fund website.

The Gift of Life Trust Fund, created by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor of South Carolina in 1996, promotes organ and tissue donation through education and assists South Carolinians navigating the transplant process by providing emergency financial assistance. Each time you apply for, renew your credential, or make any other transaction at the DMV, you may also make a donation to the Gift of Life Trust Fund.