Renewing Your South Carolina Driver's License
In South Carolina, you need to renew your driver's license with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) either online, by mail, or in person. We'll break down the process for you below.
SCDMV REAL ID Driver's Licenses
The South Carolina DMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses, which allow you to use your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings. You can choose to receive a REAL ID upon your renewal if you meet all eligibility requirements and the DMV already has your documents on file. details are outlined below.
Need to Renew a Different Credential?
If you need to renew your ID card, please see our Identification Cards in South Carolina page.
If you need to renew your SC commercial drivers license (CDL), please see our Renew your South Carolina CDL page.
When to Renew
Your South Carolina driver's license will expire on your birthday, and is valid for 8 years.
You can renew online, by mail, or in person. Requirements and methods differ based on whether your license is:
- Current and valid.
- Expired.
- Suspended.
- Missing (lost, damaged, or stolen).
NOTE: If you are not a U.S. citizen, please see the Non-Citizen License Renewal section below.
Valid Driver's License
You can renew your valid South Carolina driver's license up to 9 months after it expires. During this period, it is still considered valid for renewal.
Follow the process listed below for your steps and required documents.
Expired Driver License
If your South Carolina drivers license has been expired for more than 9 months, you must visit a SC DMV office in person and:
- Pass a written knowledge test.
- Pass a driving skills test.
- Provide 2 documents proving your SC residency, such as your:
- Recent utility bill.
- Current or last year's income tax return.
- Recent Social Security statement.
- Provide proof of your identity (if not already on file with the SC DMV), such as your:
- Passport.
- Permanent resident card.
- Employment authorization card.
- Provide your Social Security card or letter of ineligibility (if not already on file with the South Carolina DMV).
Documents must be originals unless otherwise specified. Visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website to download a full list of accepted documents.
NOTE: Do NOT drive in South Carolina on an expired driver's license.
Suspended Driver License
If your SC driver's license is suspended, you'll need to pay a reinstatement fee of $100 or more before you can renew it. You'll then need to follow the steps listed above for an expired driver's license renewal.
For more information, please see our South Carolina Suspended License page.
Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Driver's License
If your SC drivers license has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you can still renew it if you know your driver's license number.
If your renewal date hasn't yet arrived and you'd like to request a replacement driver's license, please see our guide on Replacing a Lost License in South Carolina.
Renew Your SC License
South Carolina allows you to renew your license:
- Online.
- By mail.
OR - In person.
Below, we'll walk you through the steps and documents for each of your options.
Online Renewal
You may renew your SC driver's license online for a new license valid for 8 years.
Update to a REAL ID License
The system will tell you whether you can upgrade to a REAL ID or keep a standard driver’s license. SCDMV must have all required documents on file for you to get a REAL ID—if it doesn’t, and you'd like to get one, consider renewing your license in person. Jump over to the DMV's list of acceptable documents for details.
In order to do so, you MUST:
- Be a United States citizen.
- Have a non-commercial driver's license that is EITHER:
- Valid/not suspended.
OR - Expired, but only for less than 9 months.
- NOT have:
- More than 5 points on your driving record over the last 2 years.
- A SCDMV's record as a convicted violent offender.
- A special restricted OR conditional license.
- Renewed your license online for your previous renewal.
If you meet all of these requirements, you'll need to:
SCDMV will use your current driver's license photograph and send your new license via mail to the address on file.
Renew by Mail
To be eligible for a mail-in renewal, you must:
Update to a REAL ID License
You can purchase a REAL ID driver’s license by mail only if the DMV already has all the required documents on file; otherwise, you’ll receive a standard driver’s license. See the DMV's page on REAL ID documents for more.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a non-commercial SC driver's license that is EITHER:
- Valid/not suspended.
OR - Expired for less than 9 months.
- Have had no more than 5 points for violations in the last 2 years.
- NOT have:
- Renewed your last South Carolina driver license in person.
- A Convicted Violent Offender registration on SCDMV records.
- A special restricted OR conditional license.
To renew by mail, you'll need:
- A completed Driver's License Renewal by Mail (Form 447-NC).
- You will need to have had an eye exam in the last 12 months, and your eye doctor must complete the vision information portion of the application.
- Payment for the renewal fee. (See the Renewal Fees section below.)
Mail the above to:
SCDMV
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016
If you haven't received your renewed license, you can check its status by contacting the DMV.
In-Person Renewal
You may renew a SC driver's license in person for 8 years. If you want to upgrade to a REAL ID and the DMV doesn't already have your required identity documents on file, take a look at the DMV's list of required documents you'll need. Otherwise, you'll renew for a standard driver's license.
To renew, visit your local South Carolina DMV office. You'll need to:
- Provide all required identity documents if you are upgrading to a REAL ID.
- Provide your South Carolina car insurance information.
- Pass a:
- Vision exam, or provide certification that you've passed an eye exam in the last 12 months.
- Driving knowledge test if you have had more than 5 points for violations in the past 2 years.
- Pay the renewal fee. (See the Renewal Fees section below
SC Military Member Renewal & Exemptions
NOTICE: Military Members Stationed in Germany
If you are currently stationed in Germany, please be aware that some states require you to have a valid U.S. driver's license in addition to your USAREUR license. Read our article for more information.
You have
60 days to renew your expired SC driver license upon returning to South Carolina if:
- You are an active-duty military member.
- You are a spouse or dependent of a military member stationed outside of South Carolina.
- You are one of the above and you were away from South Carolina for 30 consecutive days before your expiration date.
Renewing While Out of State
If you and your dependents are outside of South Carolina (either on deployment or stationed) when your license expires, you have the option to renew by mail.
Gather the following documents:
- A completed Mail-In Renewal Application (Form 447-NC), including the vision certification.
- Make sure to include your out-of-state or international address.
- A copy of your military orders.
- A current photograph of yourself, showing your head and shoulders.
- Your face and head may not be covered.
- A check payable to "SCDMV" for the $12.50 renewal fee for 8 years.
Mail the above to:
SCDMV
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016
Veteran Designation
If you were honorably discharged from the military, you can apply for a veteran designation on your SC driver's license when you renew.
Visit your local SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office and provide one of the following:
- DD-214.
- Certificate of Discharge.
- Enlisted Separation Paper.
The veteran designation may have an additional fee.
Non-Citizen License Renewal
If you are a non-U.S. citizen and need to renew your SC driver license, you must visit one of the following SC DMV International Customer Offices in person.
You'll need to:
- Pass a vision test or provide certification of an eye exam in the past 12 months.
- Pass a driving knowledge test if you have had more than 5 points on your license in the past 2 years.
- Prove your identity, plus date and place of birth, with documents such as:
- Passport.
- Permanent resident card.
- Employment authorization card.
- Provide your Social Security card or a letter of denial.
- Prove your South Carolina residency, with documents such as your:
- Recent utility bill.
- Current or last year's income tax return.
- Recent Social Security statement.
- Provide your vehicle liability insurance information.
- Pay the renewal fee. (See the Renewal Fees section below.)
Documents must be originals unless otherwise specified. Visit the SC Department of Motor Vehicles' website for a full list of accepted documents.
Renewal Fees in SC
It will cost you the following fees to renew your South Carolina drivers license:
- Valid for 8 years: $25.
- Non-U.S. citizens: $12.50.
Accepted Payment Methods
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles offices accept the following payment methods for in-person transactions:
- Cash.
- Check.
- Debit/credit card.
For mailed-in transactions, payment must be submitted by check, made payable to S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles."