Review our Accepted Forms of Identification for obtaining an initial driver license or identification card.

For New Residents Licensed in Former State

Military Personnel (and their dependents) and students temporarily in South Carolina are not required to obtain a South Carolina Driver's license. However, you must have a driver's license from your home state to operate in South Carolina.

If you are a new resident, you may use a valid driver's license from your former state for up to 90 days. However, you must convert to a South Carolina driver's license before the end of the 90-day period. If your driver's license from your home state has expired, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests.

Each qualified driver can have only one driver's license. You may not have a valid license from South Carolina and another state. To qualify for a SC driver's license, you must pass the eye exam given at all DMV offices or submit a statement of visual acuity from an eye specialist. A South Carolina license is valid for five years and must be renewed by your birthday in the fifth year.

Note that Section 23-3-460 of the SC Code of Laws states that a person who has been convicted anywhere of an offense listed in 23-3-430 must register with the county sheriff within 10 days of establishing residency in South Carolina.  A copy of the Sex Offender Registry Law is available upon request.

Conditional License for 15 Year Old Drivers

If you are 15 years old and have held a beginner's permit for at least 180 days, you are eligible for a conditional license. 

To get a Conditional License:

• Bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
• Bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance information.
• Submit Form PDLA that certifies you have:
  • Completed a driver's education course
  • Had satisfactory school attendance
  • Practiced driving with your licensed parent or guardian for 40 hours, including 10 hours of driving practice at night.
  Form PDLA allows you to submit all of these certifications and is available at your school and this website:
• You must pass the vision and road skills tests.

Driving Restrictions:

• You may drive alone during daylight hours from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time).
• From 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time) until midnight, you may drive if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age accompanies.
• Between midnight and 6 a.m., you may drive if your licensed parent or legal guardian accompanies you.
• You cannot transport more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless you are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. The only exception is if you are transporting family members or students to and from school.

You may obtain full driving privileges when you are 16 if you have had your license for one year and have no traffic offenses or been involved in any at-fault accidents. If you are under the age of 17 and accrue six or more points on your record before you have held your license for one year, your license will be suspended for six months.

Special Restricted License for 16 Year Old Drivers

If you are 16 years old and have held your beginner's permit for at least 180 days or have a conditional license, you are eligible for a special restricted license.

To get a Special Restricted License:

• To get a special restricted driver's license, you must bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
• You must bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance information.
• You must submit Form PDLA that certifies you have:
  • Completed a driver's education course
  • Had satisfactory school attendance
  • Practiced driving with your licensed parent or guardian for 40 hours, including 10 hours of driving practice at night.
  Form PDLA allows you to submit all of these certifications and is available at your school and this website.
• You must pass the vision and road skills tests.

Driving Restrictions:

• You may drive alone during daylight hours from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time).
• From 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time) until midnight, you may drive if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age accompanies.
• Between midnight and 6 a.m., you may drive if your licensed parent or legal guardian accompanies you.
• You cannot transport more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless you are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. The only exception is if you are transporting family members or students to and from school.

You will obtain full driving privileges when you are 16 if you have had your special restricted license for one year and have no traffic offenses or been involved in any at-fault accidents. If you are under the age of 17 and accrue six or more points on your record before you have held your license for one year, your license will be suspended for six months.

Waiver of Time Restrictions:

If the time limitations for a special restricted driver's license cause problems for you at your job or school, they can be waived. You must prove to the department that they interfere with your job, education or travel between home, school, vocational training or employment opportunities by submitting two statements:

1. A statement from your parent or legal guardian
2. A statement from your employer or school official.

Both statements must give the reason for the waiver.  The fee for the waiver is $12.50.

Regular Driver's License For 17 Year Old and Older Drivers

If you are at least 17 years old and have held a beginner's permit for 180 days, you are eligible for a regular SC Driver's License.  To get a Regular Driver's License:

• If you are under 18 years of age and have never been licensed, you must bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
• If you are 18 years old or older, you do not need the signature or your parent or legal guardian.
• You must bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance information.
• You must pass the vision and road skills tests.

Motorcycle License

If you are 15 years old and have held another class beginner permit for 180 days, you are eligible for a motorcycle beginner's permit by taking the vision test and motorcycle knowledge test. If you have a conditional driver's license, you can get a motorcycle conditional license by taking the vision test, the motorcycle knowledge test and the motorcycle skills test.

If you are 15 years old and have never had a license or beginner's permit, you must have your motorcycle beginner's permit for at least 180 days before you can apply for a motorcycle license.

If You are Under 18 Years of Age:

• You must bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
• You must bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance information.
• You must submit Form PDLA that certifies you have:
  • Completed a driver's education course
  • Had satisfactory school attendance
  • Practiced driving with your licensed parent or guardian for 40 hours, including 10 hours of driving practice at night.
  Form PDLA allows you to submit all of these certifications and is available at your school and this website:
• You must pass the vision and road skills tests.

If You are 18 Years of Age or Older:

• You must bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance information.
• You must pass the vision and road skills tests.

Driver Skills Tests in DMV Offices

DMV branch offices do not offer road tests for any type of driver license during inclement weather. Rainy streets can make maneuvering a vehicle more difficult for new drivers and ice on the roads can be hazardous for all drivers.