South Carolina replacement license fees

A replacement driver's license in South Carolina costs $10 if you are replacing a license that was lost, stolen, or damaged. This is the standard fee the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles charges for a duplicate license with the same class and restrictions as your original.

The $10 fee covers the card itself and the processing. You pay this amount whether you replace your license in person at a DMV office or through the mail, though the mail option has additional requirements that may make the in-person route simpler for most people.

If your license has expired and you need to renew it at the same time you are replacing it, you will pay the renewal fee instead of the replacement fee. Renewal fees vary by license class and how many years you are renewing for, so the total cost could be higher than $10 in that situation.

Key Takeaways

  • A replacement license costs $10 at any South Carolina DMV office.
  • You can replace your license by mail for the same $10 fee, but you must include a police report if your license was stolen.
  • If your license has also expired, you will pay the renewal fee instead, which ranges depending on your license class.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of residency, and proof of identity to replace your license in person.

Replacing your license in person at a DMV office

Walking into a South Carolina DMV office with the right documents is usually the fastest way to get a replacement license. You will pay the $10 fee at the counter, and the office will issue you a temporary paper license on the spot while your permanent card is printed and mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Bring your Social Security number (written down or memorized), a document proving your current address, and a document proving your identity. Acceptable address proofs include a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. For identity, bring your passport, military ID, or another government-issued ID. If you do not have any of these, you can bring two documents from a list that includes a birth certificate, school ID, or employee badge.

You do not need to make an appointment at most South Carolina DMV offices, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Calling your local office before you go can tell you whether it is busy. You can find your nearest office and its phone number on the South Carolina DMV website.

Replacing your license by mail

You can mail in a replacement request to the South Carolina DMV if your license was lost or damaged. Fill out Form DL-43 (process for Duplicate Driver's License), include a copy of your proof of identity and proof of address, and mail the packet to the address listed on the form. The $10 fee can be paid by check or money order included in the envelope.

If your license was stolen, you must also include a copy of the police report showing the theft. Without the report, the DMV will reject your mail request and you will need to go in person or resubmit with the report included. This requirement exists to prevent someone else from fraudulently ordering a duplicate in your name.

Mail processing takes longer than in-person replacement — typically 2 to 3 weeks after the DMV receives your packet. You will not receive a temporary license by mail, so if you need to drive before your permanent card arrives, you will need to go to a DMV office in person instead.

What happens if your license expired while it was lost

If your license expired before you lost it, or expired while you were waiting to replace it, you cannot straightforward pay the $10 replacement fee. Instead, you must renew your license, which means paying the renewal fee and passing the vision test again.

Renewal fees in South Carolina depend on your license class and how long you are renewing for. A standard Class D license (for regular passenger vehicles) costs $24 for a 5-year renewal or $48 for a 10-year renewal. If you hold a different class — such as a commercial license or a motorcycle endorsement — the fee will be different.

You can renew and replace at the same time by going to a DMV office in person. Bring the same documents you would for a replacement, plus proof that you can see well enough to drive (usually your most recent eye exam or a vision screening at the DMV office).

Fees for other license situations

If you lost your license but it has not expired, the $10 replacement fee is all you owe. However, if you also need to change your name, address, or add an endorsement (like a motorcycle endorsement) at the same time, there may be additional fees for those changes.

A name change requires a $5 fee and proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order. An address change alone has no fee — you can update it for free at any DMV office or online through the South Carolina DMV website. Adding a new endorsement requires passing the written test and vision test for that endorsement, plus a fee that varies by endorsement type.

Payment methods at DMV offices

South Carolina DMV offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card for the $10 replacement fee. If you are mailing in your request, you can pay by check or money order only — credit and debit cards are not accepted by mail.

Some DMV offices may have different payment options, so calling ahead can confirm what your local office takes. Having cash or a card with you prevents delays if you arrive without the exact payment method you expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a replacement license the same day I explore?

Yes, if you go to a DMV office in person. You will receive a temporary paper license when ready that you can use to drive while your permanent card is mailed to you. By mail, there is no same-day option — processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Do I have to pay the $10 fee if I lost my license but found it later?

No. If you locate your original license, you do not need to replace it and you owe nothing. However, if your license was damaged in the process of being lost (for example, water damage or a cracked card), you will need to replace it and pay the $10 fee.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You can still replace it by mail or in person at any South Carolina DMV office, even if you lost it elsewhere. Bring or mail the same documents you would for any replacement. If the loss happened in another state and you want a police report, you may need to contact that state's police department to file one.

Will I get the same license number on my replacement?

Yes. Your replacement license will have the same number as your original license. The DMV treats a replacement as a duplicate of your existing license, not a new license.

Is there a fee to change my address at the same time I replace my license?

No. Changing your address costs nothing. You can update your address for free when you replace your license in person, or you can update it separately online or at any DMV office without paying anything.