Wondering what you need and how you can renew your South Carolina Driver's License? Here is the ultimate guide to quickly and easily renewing your South Carolina driver license.
What You’ll Need to Renew your South Carolina Driver License in Person:
- You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Proof of car insurance.
- If you last renewed by mail, you must renew in person.
- If more than nine (9) months have passed since your license expired, this would be your only option.
What You’ll Need to Renew your South Carolina Driver License by Mail:
- You cannot renew by mail with a license that expired over nine (9) months ago.
- You cannot renew by mail if you have a commercial driver's license.
- During the past two (2) years you must not have accumulated more than five (5) points on your driving record.
- If your license is currently serving a suspension or is about to be suspended, you cannot use this method.
- You can only renew by mail every other cycle. If you last renewed online or by mail, you must go In Person.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen with a social security number.
- Proof of car insurance.
- Use this option only if you have a minimum of fifteen (15) business days before the expiration of your license.
- You will only be issued a five (5) year license by mail. If you would like a ten (10) year license, you must be younger than sixty five (65) and you must go In Person.
What You’ll Need to Do to Renew your South Carolina Driver License in Person
- Visit your nearest DMV office in person. Consider making a DMV appointment or getting a line waiting concierge.
- You will need to pass a Vision Test. If you prefer you can have your own eye doctor perform the test. You must bring a vision certificate with you, and it cannot be older than twelve (12) months.
- Take and pass a Written Test if and only if during the past two (2) years, you have accumulated more than five (5) points on your driving record.
- Show your car insurance documents.
- Bring money (Check or Money Order) to pay for the renewal fee. (10 year license costs $25.00; 5 years license costs $12.50).
What You’ll Need to Do to Renew your South Carolina Driver License by Mail
- Complete and print the DL-63 Renewal Form. (The form will require you to print your name, address, social security number, birth date, gender, height, weight and race. The form will also ask you to enter your current insurance company name).
- You must receive a vision test from an eye care professional. He or she must give you a certificate which you must mail in with the application. (The vision test must not be older than twelve (12) months).
- Pay the fees.
- Mail your renewal form (at least 15 business days before your expiration date), along with your vision certificate, and payment to the following address:
S. C. Department of Motor Vehicles
Post Office Box 1498
Blythewood, South Carolina 29016-0035
You will receive your renewed license by mail in no later than 15 business days. The DMV will use the last picture and signature that was on file for you. If you have not received your license by 3 weeks time.
Here are South Carolina driver's license renewal exceptions to note:
- The Department of Motor Vehicles may no longer renew your driver’s license online due to a clause in South Carolina law that requires customers to submit to a vision screening or present a certificate of eye examination as part of the renewal process. Section 56-1-220 allowed a person to renew his license for an additional five years by web or mail without a vision screening or certificate of eye examination. This provision ended October 1, 2008. New legislation must be passed before the SCDMV can continue to renew driver’s licenses on the web.
- If you are currently serving in the U.S. military and are on active duty outside the state, you'll need to renew your license by mail, in the same manner as all other South Carolina drivers.
- 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.
Need more South Carolina DMV help?
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