Just Moved to South Carolina. How Do I Transfer My Driver's License and Vehicle Registration?
When you’re ready to call the Palmetto State home, there are a few tasks you need to complete once you get settled into your new home, such as getting your South Carolina driver’s license.
Here’s everything you need to know about transferring your out-of-state driver’s license and out-of-state vehicle registration to the state of South Carolina.
Transferring Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to South Carolina
When you have an out-of-state driver’s license, you have 90 days once you establish residency in the state to transfer your license to South Carolina. You must visit your local South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SC DMV) office in person and pass a vision exam. In certain situations, you will be required to complete the SC driving test.
As a teenager who is new to the state of South Carolina with an out-of-state driver’s license, you can transfer your driver’s license as long as the driving training you received in your previous state meets or exceeds South Carolina’s graduated driver’s licensing (GDL) program requirements.
Receiving an SC Identification Card
If you don’t drive, but still need a form of identification, you need to apply for an SC ID card. If you obtain a valid driver’s license or identification card from your previous state, you are still required to apply for a valid SC driver’s license or ID card.
You are required to turn in your out-of-state driver’s license or ID card once you establish residency in the state of South Carolina. Any driver’s license or ID card that was previously issued by a different jurisdiction (state or province), will be canceled.
Be advised that if you are surrendering a REAL ID card from a REAL-compliant state, you are required to follow the steps of providing the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SC DMV) with the necessary documentation to receive an SC REAL ID card.
You are required to visit an SC DMV branch and provide the following information to prove your identity:
Proof of identity, U.S. Citizenship, and date of birth (Government-issued birth certificate or valid U.S. passport)
Social security number
Proof of your current, physical South Carolina address (two proofs of a REAL ID)
Proof of legal name change (if applicable)
In addition to providing the required documentation provided above, you are required to pass an SC vision screening to receive your driver’s license and pay all applicable fees. In SC, the current fee for an eight-year driver’s license is $25.
You are required to surrender your out-of-state-issued driver’s license and ID cards to your local SC DMV office. If you were issued an out-of-state driver’s license, and do not have a license to surrender, you must provide a driving record from your previous state or the state where you obtained your driver’s license as proof of driving. If your out-of-state driver’s license is expired by at least nine months, you will be required to pass the SC written (knowledge) and road tests.
South Carolina Vision Screening
The state of South Carolina requires vision testing that determines if you have 20/40 vision or better in one or both eyes. Failure to pass the SC vision test requires you to visit your local SC DMV office to have your eyes examined by a licensed eye care professional to determine if your vision meets SC’s vision standards to safely operate a motor vehicle.
If the eye care professional determines that your vision can be improved by wearing contact lenses, glasses, or corrective vision treatment, you might be able to obtain a South Carolina driver’s license that allows you to operate a motor vehicle ONLY while wearing them.
In the state of South Carolina, the DMV offices continue to accept paper certificates from licensed eye care professionals outside the SC DMV network that are licensed. You can complete the applicable SCDMV paper Certificates of Vision Examination (Form 412-NC for a non-commercial driver, or a certificate for a commercial driver (Form 412-CDL)
Be advised that the SC DMV does not accept faxed or emailed results from an out-of-state eye care professional to renew an SC driver’s license online. Keep in mind that you will not have access to South Carolina’s DMV online portal.
South Carolina Written Exam
You will be required to pass the South Carolina written exam to obtain your SC driver’s license. The SC written test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions. You must score at least an 80% to obtain an SC learner’s permit or driver’s license. Residents of SC can apply for their learner’s permit starting at age 15.
South Carolina Road Test
The South Carolina road test determines how well and how safely you can maneuver and operate a motor vehicle. When you take the SC road test, you will be graded on your ability to follow the traffic laws in South Carolina, such as using your turn signals, parking, adhering to the speed limits, and other SC traffic laws.
Registering Your Vehicle in South Carolina
In the state of South Carolina, you can register your vehicle with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SC DMV) in person or by mail. As a new resident of SC, you are required to register your vehicle with the SC DMV. If you wish to register a special vehicle, such as a motor home, trailer, or custom-built car, these vehicles require special registrations.
New Residents of South Carolina
As a new resident of the Palmetto state, you have 45 days to apply for an SC vehicle registration certificate once you establish residency in your state. A South Carolina registration is valid for two years.
Before you register your vehicle in South Carolina, you must pay your county’s vehicle property tax with the county auditor. Make sure you obtain an original paid vehicle property tax receipt once you pay the vehicle tax because you will need this document to register your vehicle. Be advised that you will be required to pay a one-time fee of $250 for the infrastructure maintenance fee (IMF).
Once you obtain the necessary receipts, you can register and title your vehicle, which you can complete simultaneously. You can register your vehicle in SC by mail or in person.
Registering Your Vehicle in South Carolina in Person
In order to successfully register your vehicle in South Carolina in person, you need to visit your local SC DMV office and present:
A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400)
The name of your SC auto insurance provider (The SC DMV verifies auto coverage electronically. Make sure you update your insurance policy with your new SC address before registering your vehicle.)
Proof of paid vehicle property tax (the property tax receipt when you paid the taxes)
Payment for all applicable SC vehicle registration fees
Registering Your Vehicle in South Carolina by Mail
If you’re registering your vehicle in South Carolina by mail, you need to send the above-listed documents with a money order or check to the address listed on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
Vehicles Purchased from an SC Dealership
If you purchased a vehicle from a dealership in South Carolina, the dealership will handle the vehicle titling and registration process on your behalf.
Vehicles Purchased or Gifted From a Private Party
Before you can register your vehicle, you must pay your county’s vehicle property tax with the county auditor. When you are registering your vehicle, you must provide an original paid vehicle property tax receipt. If you choose to mail the required documentation, the requirements for registering a vehicle in person and by mail are the same. You must send the documentation to the address listed on the application.
If you were gifted a vehicle, you are exempt from paying the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) In order to qualify for this exemption, you must complete Section G on the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400). If you are in a rush to receive your SC license plates, you should consider registering your vehicle in South Carolina in person.
Registering a Leased Vehicle in South Carolina
If the vehicle you intend on registering has been leased, the lessor needs to complete Section 4 of the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
Registering a Foreign Vehicle in South Carolina
If you need to register a foreign vehicle in the state of South Carolina, you will follow the same steps as you would to register a vehicle as a new resident of SC. If you are a non-resident who is temporarily residing or visiting South Carolina, and driving a foreign vehicle, you are not required to apply for an SC vehicle registration if:
The foreign vehicle is currently registered in your home country
You do not own or lease property in the state of South Carolina
You do not operate the vehicle within the state for more than 150 days
Temporary Vehicle Registration in South Carolina
Depending on the situation, you may need to apply for a temporary vehicle registration permit, which is valid for 45 days. You will need to submit a completed Application for 45-day Temporary Plates (Form 45-A) to your local SC DMV office with the payment of $5 for the SC temporary vehicle registration fee.
While you are operating a motor vehicle in South Carolina with a temporary plate, you need to keep these items in your vehicle:
Bill of sale or the vehicle’s title
Rental contract (if applicable)
If you are stopped by the authorities, you will need one of the above-listed documents for date-of-purchase verification.
Transferring a Vehicle Registration in South Carolina
In order to successfully transfer an existing set of license plates to a new vehicle, you need to visit any SC DMV branch with the following:
The name of your current vehicle insurance company (make sure you provide the name of your insurance company and not the name of your insurance agent). The South Carolina DMV office will use this information to electronically verify your vehicle coverage information.
The signed over vehicle title (if the vehicle is used). If the vehicle title doesn’t provide an odometer reading and purchase information, you must also submit a bill of sale. If you have lost the vehicle title, you will need to request a duplicate vehicle title.
A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) if the vehicle is new
A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration for Motor Vehicle or Manufactured Home/Mobile Home (Form 400).
Payment for all applicable South Carolina vehicle registration fees and the Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF).
The South Carolina DMV
All instances of driving issues in the state of South Carolina, including the necessary documentation that is required for yourself and your vehicle, are handled by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SC DMV).
The South Carolina DMV can help you with:
Driving permits
Driver’s licenses (teens, adults, commercial drivers, motorcycle riders)
State ID cards
Vehicle registration
Vehicle titles
Vehicle license plates
South Carolina DMV Locations
There are Department of Motor Vehicle locations throughout the state of South Carolina where you can visit in person and transfer your out-of-state driver’s license and out-of-state vehicle registration.
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Lexington Office
122 Park Rd
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 356-8537
Wednesday (9:30 AM to 5 PM)
Thursday and Friday (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Closed)
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Columbia Office
1630 Shop Road
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 737-8350
Monday - Friday (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Greenville Office
122 Edgeworth St
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 232-6123
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
Wednesday (9:30 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Charleston Office
3790 Leeds Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29405
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
Wednesday (9:30 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles - Myrtle Beach Office
1200 21st Ave. North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (8:30 AM to 5 PM)
Wednesday (9:30 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
