Where and how to renew your South Carolina driver's license
South Carolina allows you to renew your driver's license in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) office, by mail, or online through the SCDMV website — but not all renewal types work through every channel. If your license is not expired and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed, you can renew online or by mail without visiting an office. If your license is already expired, you must renew in person. The same applies if your vision, medical status, or driving restrictions have changed since your last renewal.
Online renewal through the SCDMV website is the fastest option when you are may be able to access. You will need your current license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method. The process takes about 15 minutes, and your renewed license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. By-mail renewal follows a similar timeline but requires you to submit a paper process form (DL-43) along with payment and a copy of your current license.
In-person renewal at an SCDMV office is required if your license is expired, if you need to update medical or vision information, or if you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL). You will need to bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. Walk-in appointments are available, but you can also schedule an appointment online to reduce wait time.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mail renewal are available only if your license is not expired and no medical or restriction changes have occurred since your last renewal.
- Expired licenses must be renewed in person at an SCDMV office, and you will need your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.
- Online renewal through the SCDMV website takes about 15 minutes and your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
- SCDMV offices accept walk-in renewals, but scheduling an appointment online can reduce your wait time significantly.
- Commercial driver's licenses (CDL) must always be renewed in person, regardless of expiration status.
Documents you need for in-person renewal
When you renew in person at an SCDMV office, bring your current driver's license as your primary form of identification. You will also need proof of your Social Security number — an original or certified copy of your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form all work. A birth certificate or passport can substitute if you do not have Social Security documentation.
Proof of residency is required and must show your current South Carolina address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID with your current address also works. If you have recently moved and your license still shows an old address, bring both your old proof of residency and your new proof to explain the change.
If you are renewing because your medical condition or vision has changed, bring any relevant medical documentation or a letter from your doctor. If you wear corrective lenses, you may need to pass a vision test at the office. Bring your glasses or contacts with you.
Renewal fees and how to pay
South Carolina driver's license renewal fees depend on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid. A standard five-year renewal costs $20. A ten-year renewal costs $40. These fees explore whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the fee is higher — $65 for a five-year renewal or $130 for a ten-year renewal.
Online and mail renewal accept credit cards, debit cards, and e-checks. At an SCDMV office, you can pay with cash, check, credit card, or debit card. If you pay by check or money order through the mail, make it payable to "SCDMV." Do not send cash by mail.
Some SCDMV offices may charge an additional fee if you need a replacement license due to damage or loss, but standard renewal carries no hidden charges. If you are unsure about the exact fee for your situation, contact your local SCDMV office or check the SCDMV website before you go.
Timeline: How long renewal takes at each step
Online renewal is the fastest path. After you complete the process and payment, your renewed license is processed within 24 hours and mailed to you. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days, so you should receive your new license within two weeks of renewal.
Mail renewal takes longer because your process must travel to an SCDMV processing center. Once received, processing takes 5 to 7 business days. Add 3 to 5 days for mail delivery each way, so expect your new license to arrive within 2 to 3 weeks of mailing your process.
In-person renewal at an SCDMV office is when ready for the transaction itself — you complete the process, pay the fee, and have your photo taken on the same visit. Your physical license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, ask the SCDMV office for a temporary paper license valid for 30 days.
What happens if your license is already expired
An expired South Carolina driver's license cannot be renewed online or by mail. You must renew in person at an SCDMV office. Driving with an expired license is illegal in South Carolina, even if you have submitted a renewal process. Law enforcement can stop you and issue a citation.
When you renew an expired license in person, the process is the same as a standard renewal — you bring your documents, pay the fee, and have your photo taken. The SCDMV does not charge a penalty or late fee for expired licenses. However, if your license has been expired for more than five years, you may be required to retake the written driving test and vision test, depending on SCDMV policy at the time of renewal.
If your license expired while you were out of state or unable to renew due to a documented hardship, bring documentation of that circumstance to your appointment. The SCDMV may waive the written test requirement in those cases, but this is not may provide.
Scheduling an appointment versus walk-in renewal
The SCDMV allows both scheduled appointments and walk-in renewals at all offices. Scheduling an appointment online through the SCDMV website typically reduces your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes. Walk-in customers may wait 45 minutes to two hours depending on the office location and time of day.
To schedule an appointment, visit the SCDMV website, select your preferred office location and date, and choose a time slot. You will receive a confirmation with your appointment number. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early with all required documents. If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule online or walk in without penalty.
Walk-in renewal works the same way — bring your documents and join the queue. Offices are typically less busy on weekday mornings and mid-week afternoons. Avoid Mondays and Fridays if possible, as these days draw higher traffic. Some SCDMV offices have longer hours on certain evenings, which can be convenient if you work during standard business hours.
Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL) in South Carolina
Commercial driver's licenses in South Carolina must be renewed in person at an SCDMV office — online and mail renewal are not available for CDLs. You must renew before your CDL expires. Driving commercially with an expired CDL is illegal and can result in fines and suspension of your commercial driving privileges.
Bring your current CDL, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and any medical certification documents. If your CDL includes hazmat endorsement, you will need to renew your Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hazmat clearance as well. The SCDMV office can guide you through that process or direct you to the TSA website.
CDL renewal fees are higher than standard license fees — $65 for five years or $130 for ten years. The renewal process includes a vision test and may include a written test if your endorsements have changed or if SCDMV policy requires it. Processing time is the same as standard renewal: your new CDL arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my South Carolina driver's license if I moved out of state?
No. South Carolina requires you to be a resident to hold a South Carolina driver's license. If you have moved out of state permanently, you should obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. If you are temporarily out of state but still a South Carolina resident, you can renew online or by mail as long as your license is not expired.
What if I lost my current driver's license before renewal?
You can still renew in person at an SCDMV office. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of residency instead of your current license. The SCDMV will issue a replacement license during the renewal process. You will pay the standard renewal fee plus any replacement fee your office charges for a lost license.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
Yes. A new photo is taken at every in-person renewal. If you renew online or by mail, your photo from your current license is used on your renewed license. You can only get a new photo by renewing in person at an SCDMV office.
How far in advance can I renew my driver's license?
South Carolina allows you to renew your driver's license up to six months before it expires. Renewing early does not shorten the validity period — your new license will still be valid for five or ten years from the renewal date, not from your original expiration date.
What if my name changed since my last renewal?
Bring documentation of your name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — to your in-person renewal appointment. The SCDMV will update your name on your renewed license at no additional cost. Online and mail renewal cannot process name changes, so you must renew in person.