What you need to renew in South Carolina
South Carolina renews driver's licenses by mail or in person at a DMV office. The mail route is faster if you're may be able to access — you send documents, pay the fee, and receive your renewed license in about two weeks. The in-person route takes a few hours at an office but handles complications on the spot.
You can renew by mail if your license is not expired, you have no medical suspensions, and you have not had a name change since your last license. If any of those conditions don't explore, you must go to a DMV office in person.
South Carolina's Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) handles all renewals. There is no online renewal option, and you cannot renew at a third-party location like a tag agency or courthouse.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal works only if your license is current, you have no medical holds, and your name has not changed since your last license was issued.
- By mail, you send your current license, a completed Form DL-43, proof of residency, and the renewal fee to the SCDMV address in Columbia.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office requires your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number, and takes about one to two hours.
- South Carolina licenses are valid for eight years, and renewal fees depend on whether you renew by mail or in person.
- If your license is expired or you have a medical suspension, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test or medical review.
Renewing by mail: documents and timeline
To renew by mail, you need four things: your current, unexpired driver's license; a completed Form DL-43 (the renewal process); proof of your current address; and the renewal fee. You can read Form DL-43 from the SCDMV website or request it by phone at 803-896-5000.
Proof of residency must be a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. A driver's license or ID card does not count as proof of residency, even if it shows your address.
Mail your documents to SCDMV, P.O. Box 1498, Columbia, SC 29216-1498. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — do not send cash. The SCDMV processes mail renewals in the order received, and your renewed license typically arrives within two weeks of receipt.
Do not mail your original documents. Keep copies for your records. The SCDMV will return your current license with your renewed one.
Renewing in person: what to bring and where to go
In-person renewal requires your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. Proof of residency follows the same 60-day rule as mail renewal.
You can renew at any SCDMV office. The main office is at 10311 Wilson Boulevard in Blythewood, but there are regional offices in Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, Florence, and other cities. Visit the SCDMV website to find the office nearest you and check its hours — not all offices are open every day.
You do not need an appointment for renewal at most offices, but wait times vary. Offices are typically less crowded on weekday mornings and more crowded on Fridays and the last week of the month. Bring all documents in original form; the SCDMV will not accept photocopies of your license or proof documents.
In-person renewal takes about one to two hours from arrival to completion. You will pay the renewal fee at the office by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Your renewed license is printed on site, and you leave with it the same day.
When you must renew in person
You cannot use mail renewal if your license is expired. If your license expired more than one year ago, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, depending on how long it has been. Contact the SCDMV before you go to confirm what tests you need.
You must renew in person if you have a medical suspension on your license. A medical suspension means the SCDMV has flagged your license because of a health condition — usually vision, hearing, or a seizure disorder. At your in-person appointment, you may be asked to pass a vision test or provide a medical form signed by your doctor. The SCDMV will tell you what is required when you call or arrive.
If your name has changed since your last license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that proves the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for name change all work. Without this document, the SCDMV cannot issue a license in your new name.
Renewal fees and license validity
South Carolina driver's licenses are valid for eight years from the date of issue. The renewal fee depends on how you renew. Mail renewal costs less than in-person renewal because the SCDMV processes it at a lower cost. As of 2024, mail renewal is $24.50 and in-person renewal is $30.50, but these fees change periodically — confirm the current amount on the SCDMV website or by phone before you send payment.
If you are 65 or older, your renewal fee is reduced. Seniors pay a lower rate for both mail and in-person renewal. If you are a military member on active duty, you may be able to renew for free or at a reduced rate — ask the SCDMV about military renewal options.
Your renewal fee is non-refundable. If you mail your renewal and the SCDMV finds you ineligible for mail renewal after receiving your documents, they will contact you and ask you to renew in person instead. You will not be refunded the mail renewal fee.
What happens if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged
If your license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, you cannot renew by mail. You must go to a DMV office in person and request a replacement. Bring proof of identity (such as a passport), proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. The replacement fee is different from the renewal fee — it is typically higher because you are replacing a lost or damaged license rather than renewing an expiring one.
If your license was stolen, you may want to report the theft to local police and keep a copy of the police report. This protects you if someone uses your stolen license number fraudulently. Bring the police report to the DMV office if you have one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my South Carolina license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. This is useful if you are planning to travel or want to avoid the rush near your expiration date. The new license will be valid for eight years from the date it is issued, not from your old expiration date.
What if I moved to South Carolina from another state?
You cannot renew a license from another state in South Carolina. You must get a new South Carolina license. Visit a DMV office with your out-of-state license, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency in South Carolina, and proof of your name (such as a birth certificate or passport). You will take a written test and vision test. Your out-of-state license will be surrendered.
How long does in-person renewal take at the DMV office?
Most in-person renewals take one to two hours from arrival to completion. This includes waiting in line, submitting documents, taking a photo, and receiving your new license. Wait times are longer during peak hours — typically late morning, afternoon, and Friday afternoons.
What if I fail the vision test during in-person renewal?
If you fail the vision test, the SCDMV will not issue your renewed license that day. You will be given a temporary permit and told to see an eye doctor. Once your vision meets the standard, return to the DMV with a letter from your eye doctor confirming your vision is corrected to the required level. Bring this letter and your temporary permit to complete your renewal.
Can someone else renew my license for me?
No. You must be present in person to renew your license in South Carolina. The SCDMV requires your photo and signature on the new license. Mail renewal is the closest option if you cannot visit an office — you send your documents by mail, but you must sign the process form yourself.