License Renewal in South Carolina

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
• By Mail
• In Person

• 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.

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.

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."