Renewing a South Carolina driver license
The steps in plain English. Each one links to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) page it came from. Last checked Nov 15, 2026.
Renew on or before the expiration date; licenses last 8 years.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Renew by mail or online if your license is a digitized license.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026Pass a vision screening or submit an eye doctor's certificate dated within 36 months.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026If your license has expired, renew within 9 months to avoid retesting.
Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
Check before you go: requirements and fees change, and some depend on your age or situation. The official page is the final word.
Related facts
- License term
- A license expires 8 years from the date of issue.Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Renewing an expired license
- Renew on or before the expiration date; within 9 months after expiration you can still renew without the written or road test.Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
- Renewal by mail or online
- The law allows SCDMV to renew a resident's digitized license by mail or electronically.Source: scstatehouse.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026
More in the South Carolina guide
Official South Carolina links
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