What You Need to Renew in South Carolina
South Carolina renews driver's licenses for eight years. You can renew in person at a DMV office, by mail if you meet specific conditions, or online through the SC DMV website — but online renewal has strict limits on who qualifies.
The method you use depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you have had a name change, and whether you need to update your address or medical information. Most people renew in person because the other routes exclude too many situations.
You will need your current South Carolina driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within 90 days), and your Social Security number. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it — marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina driver's licenses are valid for eight years, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
- Online renewal is only for people whose licenses are not expired, who have not changed their name or address, and who do not need medical updates.
- Mail renewal requires your current valid license and works only if you have not moved and do not need to update your photo or medical information.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is the only option if your license is expired, you have changed your name, or you need a new photo.
- The renewal fee is $24.50 for an eight-year license, and you will receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days of approval.
Online Renewal Through the SC DMV Website
The South Carolina DMV allows online renewal only if all of these conditions are true: your current license is not expired, you have not changed your name, you have not moved to a different address, and you do not need to update your medical information or photograph. If any of these do not explore to you, you cannot use the online system.
To renew online, visit the SC DMV website and log into your account or create one using your driver's license number and date of birth. You will answer questions to confirm your identity and current information. The fee is $24.50, paid by credit or debit card. Once approved, your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal takes about 10 minutes. You do not need to visit an office or mail anything. However, if you discover during the process that you need to change your address or name, you will be directed to stop and renew in person instead.
Mail Renewal for Unchanged Information
You can renew by mail if your current license is valid (not expired), you have not changed your name, and you do not need a new photograph or medical updates. Mail renewal is slower than online but does not require a trip to the DMV.
Request a renewal form by calling the SC DMV at 803-896-5000 or by visiting an office in person. Complete the form, include your current valid driver's license, and mail both to the address printed on the form. Include a check or money order for $24.50 made payable to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash.
Mail processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, switch to in-person renewal instead.
In-Person Renewal at a DMV Office
Renew in person if your license is expired, you have changed your name, you have moved and need to update your address, you need a new photograph, or you need to update medical information. In-person renewal is also the fastest route — you receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Bring your current driver's license (or expired license if it is still in your possession), proof of residency dated within 90 days, and your Social Security number. If you have changed your name, bring the certified document that changed it. If you are renewing more than one year after expiration, bring proof of your Social Security number as well — a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return.
Visit any SC DMV office during business hours. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and some offer Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment. The fee is $24.50, paid by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. You will take a new photograph at the office unless you are renewing within 10 years of your last photo and choose to keep the old one.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired
If your South Carolina driver's license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring the same documents as for a standard in-person renewal, plus proof of your Social Security number — a Social Security card, W-2, tax return, or bank statement showing your Social Security number.
Expired licenses that have been expired for less than one year can still be renewed by mail or online if you meet the other conditions (no name change, no address change, no medical updates needed). However, in-person renewal is still an option and is faster.
You can legally drive on an expired license only if you are actively renewing it. Once you have submitted your renewal process — whether online, by mail, or in person — you are considered to be in the renewal process. Keep proof of your submission with you while driving.
Address Changes and Medical Information Updates
If you have moved since your last license was issued, you must update your address. You cannot do this online or by mail — you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring proof of your new residency: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government mail addressed to you at your new address, all dated within 90 days.
Medical information — such as corrective lenses, hearing aid use, or mobility restrictions — can only be updated in person. If your vision or hearing has changed, or if you have a new medical condition that affects your driving, visit a DMV office to update your license. You may be asked to pass a vision test or provide a letter from your doctor.
If you are renewing your license and need to change your address or medical information at the same time, do everything in one visit. Bring all required documents for both the renewal and the update.
Timeline and When to Renew
South Carolina allows you to renew your driver's license up to one year before it expires. If your license expires on March 15, 2025, you can begin renewing on March 15, 2024. Renewing early is useful if you travel or want to avoid a last-minute rush.
Plan to renew at least two weeks before your license expires if you are renewing by mail, because processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you are renewing in person or online, you can wait until closer to the expiration date — in-person renewal gives you a temporary license when ready, and online renewal is processed within 7 to 10 business days.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew, but you must do so in person. Driving on an expired license is illegal, so renew as soon as possible. The renewal fee does not change based on how long your license has been expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my South Carolina license if I live out of state now?
No. South Carolina requires proof of residency within the state to renew. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state instead. You can surrender your South Carolina license by mail or in person at any DMV office.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring a certified copy of the document that changed your name — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, or adoption papers. The DMV will not process a renewal by mail or online if your name has changed.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready and your permanent license by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew online, your license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. If you renew by mail, processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
If you renew in person, you will take a new photo unless your last photo was taken fewer than 10 years ago and you choose to keep it. If you renew by mail or online, your photo does not change. You can request a new photo at any time by visiting a DMV office.
What if I lost my current license?
You cannot renew by mail or online if you do not have your current license. Visit a DMV office in person and bring proof of residency and your Social Security number. The DMV will issue a replacement license, which counts as a renewal if your license has not expired.