South Carolina driver's license
Get your first license in South Carolina after moving to the US.
The short answer
Getting a first South Carolina driver's license means passing the knowledge test and the road test.1 A license valid for 8 years costs $25, and one valid for 4 years or less costs $12.50.2 Bring a licensed driver with you to the road test, along with your vehicle liability insurance information.3 You and the SCDMV employee are the only people allowed in or near the vehicle during the test.4 Your eye care provider can send your vision screening results to the SCDMV electronically instead of you taking that test at a branch.5
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to South Carolina and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| A standard driver's license, valid eight years2 | $25 |
| A driver's license valid four years or less2 | $12.50 |
| A beginner's permit, the step before the license2 | $2.50 |
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
You choose between a REAL ID card, which has a star with LIMITED TERM printed across the front, and a card that is not a REAL ID. Licenses and IDs for lawfully present non-US citizens are issued at 30 branches.6
If your license from another state has expired
If your out-of-state license expired less than nine months ago, you may transfer it by passing a vision test without taking the written or road tests. If it has been expired for nine months or more, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests.7
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validYou must provide all original entry documents, even if expired, along with documentation from US immigration authorities authorizing your current presence in the US for your visa status.8
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
If your Social Security number does not validate electronically, the SCDMV will not issue any type of REAL ID permit, license, or identification card.9
The Department of Motor Vehicles may require you to submit acceptable evidence of your Social Security number when you apply for or renew a license, and it may obtain taxpayer numbers from the Department of Revenue.10
Tests you take
Eye test
The SCDMV screening tests for 20/40 vision or better. If you cannot pass it at a branch office, a licensed eye care professional must examine your eyes; if corrective lenses or treatment bring your vision to the standard, your license restricts you to driving only while wearing them.11
When you visit your eye care provider, ask them to submit your vision screening results electronically to the SCDMV, so you do not have to take a vision test at the SCDMV.5
Drive test
You must take a road test when applying for an original driver's license or upgrading to a different license class.1
Practice questions for the written test
Study the South Carolina Driver's Manual. The free SC DMV Driver Exam smartphone application builds practice tests from the manual's questions.12
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
While driving, the permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged twenty-one or older who has at least one year of driving experience, seated beside the driver.13
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
Bring a licensed driver with you to the road test. During the test, you and the SCDMV employee are the only people allowed in or around the vehicle.3
The car and its insurance
You must show the car is properly insured. If you use a rental car, your name on the rental contract must show as insured.14
A safe vehicle with a valid license plate, registration card, and insurance card, Headlights and brakes in working condition, Windshield wipers, Safety belts, Turn signals, Mirrors, Speedometer, Defroster, Horn, Vehicle liability insurance information from a company licensed to do business in SC15
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“You must take a vision, knowledge, and road test when you apply for an original driver's license or upgrade to a different license.”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/drivers-license/testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 2
“4-year or less License (International customers only) $12.50 5-year Hazmat License $15 8-year License $25 Beginner's Permit (original, renewal, duplicate, and modified) $2.50”
dmv.sc.gov/feesChecked August 1, 2026
- 3
“You should bring all of the following items to your test: Old license or beginner's permit (if you have one) A licensed driver Vehicle liability insurance information from a company licensed to do business in SC”
dmv.sc.gov/…/regular-license-road-testChecked July 31, 2026
- 4
“An SCDMV employee will test you. You and the employee are the only people allowed in or around the vehicle.”
dmv.sc.gov/…/regular-license-road-testChecked August 1, 2026
- 5
“When you visit your eye care provider, ask him or her to submit your vision screening results electronically to the SCDMV to avoid taking a vision test at the SCDMV.”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/drivers-license/testingChecked August 15, 2026
- 6
“You must choose whether you want to get a REAL ID or not. A REAL ID card will have a star on it with “LIMITED TERM” printed across the front”
dmv.sc.gov/…/MV-94%20Lawfully%20Present%20Non-US%20Citizens%27%20Checklist.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 7
“If your out-of-state license is expired by nine months or more, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests.”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/moving-to-scChecked August 1, 2026
- 8
“You must provide all original entry documents, (even if expired) in addition to documentation from US immigration authorities authorizing current presence in the US for the specific visa status.”
dmv.sc.gov/…/MV-94%20Lawfully%20Present%20Non-US%20Citizens%27%20Checklist.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 9
“In the case of the social security number not validating, the department shall not issue any type of REAL ID permit, license, or identification card.”
scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c001.phpChecked August 1, 2026
- 10
“The Department of Motor Vehicles may require every applicant to submit acceptable evidence when applying for or renewing a driver's license, beginner's permit, or identification card that proves the applicants:”
scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c001.phpChecked August 1, 2026
- 11
“The simple eye test given by the SCDMV determines if you have 20/40 vision or better. If you are unable to pass the SCDMV vision screening at a branch office, you must have your eyes examined by a licensed eye care professional to determine if your eyes meet South Carolina’s vision requirements.”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/vision-testsChecked August 1, 2026
- 12
“South Carolina Driver's Manual before taking the Regular Driver's License Road Test”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/drivers-license/testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 13
“while driving, the permittee must be accompanied by a licensed driver twenty-one years of age or older who has had at least one year of driving experience.”
scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c001.phpChecked August 1, 2026
- 14
“You must show the car is properly insured. If you're using a rental car, your name on the contract must show as insured.”
dmv.sc.gov/schedule-appointmentChecked August 15, 2026
- 15
“You must provide a safe vehicle with a valid license plate, registration card, and insurance card for the test. The vehicle must have all of the following in working condition: Headlights and brakes Windshield wipers Safety belts Turn signals Mirrors Speedometer Defroster Horn”
dmv.sc.gov/…/regular-license-road-testChecked July 31, 2026
- 16
“Locations and Wait Times -> https://dmv.sc.gov/locations”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/drivers-license/testingChecked July 26, 2026
- 17
“FIND AN SCDMV BRANCH -> https://dmv.sc.gov/locations”
dmv.sc.gov/driver-services/drivers-license/testingChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in South Carolina?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.