Regular (non-commercial) driver's licenses are issued in the following classes depending on the type and intended use of the vehicle.  Click the following link if you are interested in Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL).

Class D
A Class D driver’s license allows you to drive non-commercial passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, which do not exceed 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. With a Class D driver’s license, you may also operate a three-wheel vehicle (excluding a two-wheel motorcycle with a side car).

Class E
A Class E driver’s license allows you to operate non-commercial, single unit vehicles that exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Examples of Class E vehicles include trucks and motor homes.  With a Class E driver’s license, you may also operate a three-wheel vehicle (excluding a two-wheel motorcycle with a side car).

Class F
A Class F driver’s license allows you to drive non-commercial, combination vehicles that exceed 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Examples of Class F vehicles include trucks and motor homes with a towed trailer or vehicle and any combination of vehicles used exclusively for recreation such as truck and camper combinations if the gross combination weight exceeds 26,000 lbs. With a Class F driver’s license, you may also operate a three-wheel vehicle (excluding a two-wheel motorcycle with a side car).

Class G
A Class G driver license allows you to operate a moped as that vehicle is defined by S.C. Code of Laws, Section 56-1-1710.

Class M
A Class M license allows you to operate a two-wheel motorcycle, a two-wheel motorcycle with a detachable side car, or a three-wheel vehicle.

If you plan to operate a motor home that has a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) that exceeds 26,0000 lbs., you must obtain a Class E license. If you operate any combination of vehicles exclusively used for recreation (example: a motor home and tow a trailer or other vehicle that has a Gross Combination Weight (GCW) that exceeds 26,000 lbs., you must have a Class F license. You may take the Class E and F knowledge tests at any SCDMV field office which provides full driver license services. Due to the space required for a Class E or F skills test, these tests must be taken at one of the 35 SCDMV field offices that offer commercial driver license testing.

During the basic skills portion of the Class F test, motor home operators will be allowed to disconnect the towed vehicle. However, the towed vehicle must be reconnected for the road test portion of the skills test. 

For more information about Class E and F driver licenses, click here.

Identification cards are issued to any persons at least 5 years of age and who are residents of South Carolina, and do not have a valid South Carolina driver's license or beginner's permit.  You may apply for an ID card by completing Form 447 and presenting proper identification at your local DMV office.  The card expires five years after the issue date. There is a $5.00 fee for persons between the ages of 5 and 16.

South Carolina issues both five-year and ten-year licenses. If you are a United States citizen and you visit a DMV branch office to obtain an original or renewal license, you will receive a ten-year license unless you are over 65 years of age. Persons who are 65 years of age or older may not obtain a ten year license, but will be issued a five year license.

When you apply for a driver's license, SCDMV will run automatic checks against the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) and the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) databases to check your prior driving history in other states. The checks are performed when a customer applies for an original credential, renews a credential, is reexamined or moves from a beginner permit to a license. They are designed to insure drivers have only one valid license at a time.

Follow the links below to obtain information on getting an initial driver license, renewing your license, and other driver services.

• How to get an Initial Driver License.
• How to get a Beginner Permit.
• Review our Accepted Forms of Identification for obtaining an initial driver license, beginner's permit, or identification card.
• Information on Driver License Testing.
• How to Renew Your Driver License.
• How to Reinstate a Driver License after a suspension.
• Insurance Requirements including information on registering as an uninsured motorist.

To obtain a replacement for your regular Class D passenger vehicle license, we encourage you to use our Public Services site and complete the transaction online.  Replacement credentials for identification cards, beginner’s permits, or commercial driver’s licenses are not available online at this time. If you choose to go to a DMV office you must complete Form DL-49, Lost or Surrendered Driver’s License, and Form 447, Application for South Carolina Credential.  Additional documentation may be required to obtain more than one replacement license in a 12-month period.

International customers must provide proof of legal status in the United States. Please refer to the Accepted Forms of Identification page of this web site.

If your driver license credential is damaged or otherwise separating, you should replace it as soon as possible. Damaged driver license credentials may not be accepted as proof of identity by law enforcement, airport security, financial institutions or other businesses.

South Carolina law requires you to change your name or address on department records within 10 days of your actual name or address change. When you change your name or address with the department, all of the vehicle and driver records that relate to you will be updated.

To change your address you may use our Public Services site, apply by mail or visit your local DMV office.  If you apply by mail you must complete Form 4057.

To change your name you must visit a DMV office, complete Form 4057, and present proper documentation such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree or court order.  You cannot change your name by mail or online.

When you submit a change of name or address, the following documents will be changed, but you will not receive a new credential that reflects your new name or address unless you pay the required fee and complete any other required forms.

• Driver's License - Complete Form 4057, Form 447 and pay the $10.00 fee.
• Beginner's Permit - Complete Form 4057, Form 447 and pay the $2.50 fee.
• Identification Card - Complete Form 4057, Form 447 and pay the $5.00 fee if you are between 5 and 16 years of age.
• Vehicle Registration - Complete Form 4057. There is no charge.
• Vehicle Title - Complete Form 4057, and Form 400, submit the title reflecting your old name or address, and pay the $15.00 fee.

You may obtain any of these new credentials by mail by completing the required forms and sending the appropriate fees to:

DMV Alternative Media Office
P.O. Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0035

To obtain driver information in South Carolina you must have consent from the driver or be eligible to obtain the information for a permissible use under the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994. Some permissible uses under DPPA are: use by a government agency, businesses to verify information, court proceeding, investigation, insurer, commercial driver's licenses, etc. A complete list of permissible uses can be found by going through the Cornell Law School website.  Use form MV-70. The cost is $6.00 per driver record.

SCDMV now provides information regarding all males 18 to 25 years old to the United States Selective Service when they apply for, renew or replace a driving credential or identification card. The new procedure, which is required by federal law, began June 28, 2004.

Male applicants who are 18 to 25 years old and hold a South Carolina DMV credential must authorize DMV to transmit their information to Selective Service. If they refuse to give their consent, they will not be able to apply for, renew or replace their driving credential or identification card. Applicants who are 13 to 17 years of age will be issued a credential, but they will also be informed that their information will be automatically transmitted to Selective Service on their 18^th birthday unless they surrender their credential before their birthday. Eligible males who do not register with Selective Service will not be entitled to some government services such as student loans or grants, government jobs and some job training.

If you previously registered with Selective Service through another agency, you must still ensure that DMV records reflect that registration. If you are 18 to 25 years old and DMV records do not indicate Selective Service registration, you will not be able to apply for, renew or replace your driving credential or identification card.

Beginning May 9, 2011, DMV will suspend vehicle registrations and/or cancel driving privileges for returned checks written for services after April 4, 2011. Action will be taken against individual customers and businesses who received services paid for by a returned check. In addition, individual and business customers who present checks that are returned to DMV will not be allowed to submit a check for any DMV services and a “cash only” alert will be placed on the customer’s record for three years from the date all check fees are paid.

Once the DMV receives the returned check notification, the check-writer will be notified by mail that he or she has 20 calendar days to pay the outstanding fees. If the customer does not pay the fees within the allotted time period, DMV will send a second letter to the customers receiving the service indicating that the suspension and/or cancellation action will take place in 30 calendar days for failure to remit fees.

To clear the vehicle registration suspension or cancellation of driving privileges, the customer must pay the outstanding fees owed for that service as indicated in the notification letter. Customers may remit payment by mail to the Headquarters Finance Department or in person at a DMV office. DMV does not accept cash by mail and will not accept checks from a third party to cover services for “cash only” customers.

DMV will notify the South Carolina Department of Revenue (DOR) regarding customers that have not remitted payment for a returned check. DOR may collect money for a customer’s unpaid check through his or her state tax refund. Customers who are reported to DOR may request a hearing.

Correspondence sent to customers will inform them of the procedures required to clear the registration suspension and/or driving privilege cancellation as well as their right to a hearing.  Customers who have questions regarding a vehicle registration suspension and/or cancellation of driving privileges resulting from the failure to remit fees for a returned check should contact the DMV Contact Center at (803) 896-5000 or email help@scdmvonline.com.

For More Information, click here.