What You Need to Do to Transfer Your License

To transfer your driver's license to South Carolina, you visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in person with your current out-of-state license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number. South Carolina will not mail you a license or let you renew by mail if you are moving from another state. You must appear at a DMV office, take a new photo, and pay a fee. The process takes about 30 minutes if you have all documents ready.

You do not need to take a written test or road test unless your out-of-state license has been expired for more than a year, or unless you are changing the class of license you hold (for example, upgrading to a commercial license). If your current license is valid, South Carolina honors it and issues you a South Carolina license with the same class and restrictions.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a South Carolina DMV office in person with your out-of-state license, proof of residency, and proof of your Social Security number.
  • South Carolina will not process a license transfer by mail, phone, or online, even if your out-of-state license is still valid.
  • You do not need to retake a written or road test if your current license is valid and you are not changing license class.
  • The transfer fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $48.50 for an eight-year license, and you choose which length when you explore.
  • Bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, or passport as proof of your Social Security number — a tax return or W-2 alone will not work.

Documents You Must Bring to the DMV

Bring your current out-of-state driver's license, even if it is expired. You also need one document that proves your Social Security number: your Social Security card, birth certificate, or U.S. passport. A tax return, W-2, or 1099 form will not work on its own. If you do not have your Social Security card or birth certificate, order a replacement before you go to the DMV — the office cannot issue a license without proof of your number.

For proof of residency, bring a document dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and South Carolina address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or insurance policy. A post office change-of-address form does not count. If you have just moved and do not yet have a bill in your name, bring a lease or mortgage document with your name and address, plus a utility bill or bank statement in someone else's name at that address (the DMV will accept both together).

Bring your Social Security number written down or memorized. You will fill out form DLAPP-14 (the driver's license process) at the DMV office. Bring your current address and phone number. If you wear corrective lenses (glasses or contacts), you must wear them during your vision test at the DMV.

Where to Find Your Local DMV Office and Make an Appointment

South Carolina has 38 DMV offices across the state. Find the one nearest you on the South Carolina DMV website at scdmvonline.com. The site lists office addresses, phone numbers, and hours. Some offices are open Monday through Friday only; others are open Saturday mornings. Call ahead or check the website to confirm hours before you go, because some locations have reduced hours on certain days.

You can make an appointment online at scdmvonline.com or by calling the office directly. Making an appointment is not required, but it can shorten your wait time. If you walk in without an appointment, you may wait 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. Appointments typically fill up one to two weeks in advance, so book early if you need to transfer your license by a specific date.

If you cannot reach your local office by phone, use the DMV's online appointment system. You select your office, choose a date and time, and receive a confirmation number. Bring that confirmation number with you when you arrive.

What Happens During Your Visit

When you arrive at the DMV, check in at the front desk and give them your confirmation number if you have an appointment. You will be called to a counter where a staff member will review your documents. They will check that your proof of residency is dated within 60 days, that your Social Security proof is acceptable, and that your out-of-state license is valid or expired less than one year ago.

You will fill out form DLAPP-14 if you have not already done so online. The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect your driving. Answer honestly — the DMV shares information with the National Driver Register, and lying on the form is a crime. You will also declare whether you want to be an organ donor and whether you want to register to vote.

Next, you will take a vision test. You read letters on a chart from a set distance. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them during the test. If you fail the vision test, the DMV will not issue a license until you pass. You can retake the test the same day or come back another time.

You will have your photo taken. Smile or keep a neutral expression — South Carolina does not have specific rules about expressions, but avoid sunglasses, hats, or anything that obscures your face. You will then pay the fee ($24.50 for four years or $48.50 for eight years) by cash, check, or card. Your new license will be printed on the spot, and you will walk out with it the same day.

License Class and Restrictions From Your Old License

South Carolina will transfer the same license class from your out-of-state license. If your old license was a standard Class D (passenger vehicle), your South Carolina license will be Class D. If it was a commercial license (Class A, B, or C), South Carolina will issue the same class, as long as your medical certification is current.

Any restrictions on your old license will transfer to your South Carolina license. If your out-of-state license said "corrective lenses required" or "automatic transmission only," your South Carolina license will carry the same restriction. If you want to remove a restriction, you must pass the test that restriction requires — for example, if you want to remove a corrective lenses restriction, you must pass the vision test without glasses.

If your out-of-state license expired more than one year ago, South Carolina treats it as if you are getting your first license. You will need to pass a written test and a road test. The written test covers South Carolina traffic laws and road signs. The road test is a 20-minute drive with a DMV examiner. You can schedule the road test at the same DMV office or at a separate testing facility, depending on your local office's procedures.

Timeline and When Your License Arrives

You receive your new South Carolina license the same day you visit the DMV office. There is no waiting period. You can use it when ready for driving and identification. Your old out-of-state license is no longer valid once you receive your South Carolina license, so keep your new license with you when you drive.

If you requested a four-year license, it will expire four years from the date you received it. If you requested an eight-year license, it will expire eight years from that date. Your expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew your South Carolina license by mail or online before it expires, so you will not need to return to the DMV office unless you want to change your address, name, or photo.

What to Do If Your Out-of-State License Is Expired

If your out-of-state license expired less than one year ago, bring it to the DMV anyway. South Carolina will still transfer it without requiring a written or road test. The DMV considers a license expired less than one year ago to be "recently expired" and honors it for transfer purposes.

If your out-of-state license expired more than one year ago, you must pass both a written test and a road test. You cannot straightforward transfer it. Schedule your written test first at the DMV office. Once you pass the written test, you can schedule your road test. Both tests must be completed before you receive your South Carolina license. This process typically takes two to four weeks if you schedule tests back-to-back.

If you have lost your out-of-state license or it was suspended or revoked, tell the DMV staff when you arrive. You will need to provide additional documentation, such as a letter from your old state's DMV explaining the suspension or revocation. South Carolina may deny your transfer if your license was revoked for serious violations. Call your local DMV office before you visit to ask what documents you need to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my license online or by mail?

No. South Carolina requires you to appear in person at a DMV office. You cannot transfer your license by mail, online, or by phone. You must visit an office with your documents and have your photo taken.

Do I need to take a test if my out-of-state license is still valid?

No. If your out-of-state license is valid and expired less than one year ago, South Carolina will transfer it without a written or road test. You only need to pass a vision test at the DMV office.

What if I do not have a Social Security card or birth certificate?

Order a replacement from your state's vital records office or the Social Security Administration before you visit the DMV. South Carolina will not issue a license without proof of your Social Security number. A tax return or W-2 alone will not work.

How long does the transfer take?

The visit itself takes about 30 minutes if you have all documents ready. You receive your new license the same day you visit the DMV. If your out-of-state license expired more than one year ago, you must also pass a written and road test, which adds one to four weeks to the process.

What if I moved to South Carolina but have not yet established residency?

Bring a lease agreement or mortgage document with your name and South Carolina address, plus a utility bill or bank statement in someone else's name at that address. The DMV will accept both documents together as proof of residency, even if the utility bill is not in your name yet.