SCDMV Providing Renewal Extensions in Wake of Tropical Storm Helene

September 30, 2024

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles is announcing several extensions of expirations to help customers affected by Tropical Storm Helene.

• All noncommercial driver’s licenses, identification cards, beginner’s permits and placards for those with disabilities that are scheduled to expire from Sept. 27 through Oct. 31 should be considered valid until Nov. 1, 2024. All businesses, agencies and organizations are encouraged to accept these as valid until that date.

• All South Carolina-registered vehicles with registration expiration dates in September will be considered valid until Nov. 1, 2024.

• Because some residents will be delayed in paying vehicle property taxes or will receive their tax bills late, the SCDMV will suspend the collection of late fees for late vehicle registration renewals until Nov. 1, 2024.  Customers must visit a branch office to take advantage of the late fee suspension; SCDMV website transactions will continue to include late fees for all transactions. 

• Suspensions of driver’s licenses for failure to pay property taxes also will be suspended until Nov. 1, 2024.

• All temporary license plates set to expire between Sept. 27 and Oct. 31 should be considered valid until Nov. 1, 2024. Vehicles that have expired temporary plates that are not properly titled and registered within 45 days after Nov. 1, 2024 will be considered as having expired registrations.

• Drivers traveling outside of South Carolina with licenses or registrations that are past their printed expirations should take this explanatory letter from SCDMV Executive Director Kevin Shwedo, however, please take note that this letter does not guarantee that other jurisdictions will recognize or accept the extended expiration dates.