South Carolina driver's license renewal by mail or online

You can renew your South Carolina driver's license by mail or online without visiting a DMV office, as long as your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical or legal holds on your record. The online renewal process through the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) website takes about 10 minutes and costs $24 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks and costs the same amount.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you have a medical condition flagged on your record, or you need to change your name or address, you must renew in person at an SCDMV office. The same applies if you want to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license, which requires proof of citizenship and identity documents that mail and online renewal do not accept.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal through the SCDMV website is the fastest option and takes about 10 minutes if your license is current or expired less than five years.
  • Mail renewal costs the same as online but takes two to three weeks, so plan ahead if you need your new license by a specific date.
  • You cannot renew by mail or online if your license expired more than five years ago, you have a medical hold, or you need to change your name or address.
  • REAL ID renewal requires an in-person visit and documents proving citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport.
  • Your new license will arrive by mail within 10 business days of online renewal or within two to three weeks of mailing your renewal form.

Online renewal through the SCDMV website

Go to the SCDMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and date of birth. The system will verify your information against SCDMV records and ask you to review your address and any other details on file.

Once you confirm your information, you will pay the renewal fee by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives, even if it has expired.

If the online system cannot verify your information or flags a hold on your record, it will tell you when ready and direct you to renew in person at an SCDMV office instead.

Mail renewal: what to send and where

read the DL-43 form from the SCDMV website or request one by phone at 803-896-5000. Fill in your name, address, and license number, then sign and date the form. Include a check or money order for $24 (four-year license) or $40 (eight-year license) made payable to "SCDMV." Do not send cash.

Mail the completed form and payment to:

South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 1498 Blythewood, SC 29016

Your renewal will be processed in the order it is received. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date SCDMV receives your form. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provided on the form.

In-person renewal at an SCDMV office

Visit any SCDMV office with your current driver's license or state ID, proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 30 days). Bring your original documents or certified copies—photocopies are not accepted.

You will have your photo taken and pay the renewal fee in cash, by check, or by card. Processing takes about 30 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to you within 10 business days, and you can drive on your current license until it arrives.

SCDMV offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some locations offering extended hours. Check the SCDMV website for the office nearest you and current wait times.

REAL ID renewal: what you need to know

A REAL ID-compliant license has a gold star in the upper right corner and is required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building after May 7, 2025. You cannot obtain a REAL ID by mail or online; you must visit an SCDMV office in person.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of current address. The citizenship document must be an original or certified copy. REAL ID renewal costs $24 for four years or $40 for eight years and takes about 45 minutes at the office.

If you do not need to fly or enter federal buildings, you can continue to renew your standard South Carolina driver's license by mail or online without upgrading to REAL ID.

What to do if your license expired more than five years ago

You cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than five years. You must visit an SCDMV office and complete a full renewal process, which includes a vision test and a new photo. Bring the same documents required for in-person renewal: current ID, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address.

If you do not have a current ID, bring a passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued photo ID instead. The fee is the same as a standard renewal ($24 or $40 depending on the term you choose), and your new license will be mailed within 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?

Yes. You can drive on your current license until your new one arrives, even if your current license has expired. This applies to mail, online, and in-person renewal.

What if I move before my new license arrives?

Contact the SCDMV by phone at 803-896-5000 or visit an office in person to update your address. Your new license will be mailed to your updated address. If you have already mailed your renewal form, call when ready so SCDMV can correct the address on file before processing your renewal.

Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support hold?

No. You must resolve the hold before you can renew. Contact the court or the South Carolina Department of Social Services to clear the hold, then attempt your renewal again.

How long is my new license valid?

You choose either a four-year license ($24) or an eight-year license ($40) at the time of renewal. Your new license will be valid for the term you select from the date it is issued.

What if the online system rejects my renewal?

The system will tell you why and direct you to renew in person. Common reasons include an expired license older than five years, a medical hold, a name change, or an address mismatch. Visit an SCDMV office with the required documents to complete your renewal.