Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your license type and expiration date
South Carolina lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online at scdmvonline.com, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a DMV office. Which route you can use depends on whether your license is a REAL ID (marked with a gold star), how long it has been expired, and whether you need to update your address or photo. Most people renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations require an in-person appointment.
Your license expires on your birthday. South Carolina sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, though the notice is informational only — you do not have to wait for it to renew. You can renew up to one year before your license expires, which means you can start the process as soon as you receive the notice.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at scdmvonline.com works for most people with valid, non-expired licenses and takes about 10 minutes.
- By-mail renewal is available if your license is not expired, you have not changed your address in the last five years, and you do not need a new photo.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office is required if your license is expired by more than one year, you need a new photo, or you are changing your address.
- REAL ID licenses (with a gold star) cost $24 for eight years; standard licenses cost $10 for five years.
- You will need your Social Security number and current license number to start any renewal, and a valid payment method if renewing online.
Online renewal: fastest option for most drivers
Online renewal through scdmvonline.com is the quickest path if your license is not expired and you do not need to change your photo or address. You log in with your driver's license number and Social Security number, review your information, pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card, and receive confirmation when ready. The new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
You cannot renew online if your license expired more than one year ago, if you need a new photo, or if you are moving and need to update your address on your license. You also cannot use online renewal if your license was suspended or revoked, or if you are changing your name. In those cases, you must visit a DMV office in person.
By-mail renewal: no office visit needed
Mail renewal works if your license is still valid, you have not moved in the last five years, and you do not need a new photo. South Carolina DMV mails you a renewal form with your notice about 60 days before expiration. You fill out the form, include your current license, and mail it back with a check or money order for the renewal fee. Processing takes 10 to 15 business days after DMV receives your envelope.
The by-mail option is slower than online renewal but requires no trip to an office. You do not need to wait for the renewal notice to arrive — you can call the DMV at 803-896-5000 and request a renewal form be mailed to you. Keep your current license until the new one arrives, since you may need it for identification during the renewal period.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
You must renew in person if your license expired more than one year ago, if you need a new photo, if you are changing your address, or if your license was suspended or revoked. Book an appointment online at scdmvonline.com or call 803-896-5000. Walk-ins are accepted but wait times vary by location and time of day; appointments typically move faster.
Bring your current license (or expired license if it has been more than one year), proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address if you are moving (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You will have your photo taken at the office. The new license is issued on the spot, though you can request it be mailed if you prefer.
REAL ID versus standard license: cost and timeline differences
South Carolina offers two types of driver's licenses. A REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A standard license does not have the star and cannot be used for those purposes after May 7, 2025, though you can still use it for driving and state identification.
REAL ID licenses cost $24 and are valid for eight years. Standard licenses cost $10 and are valid for five years. When you renew online or by mail, you can choose which type you want. If you are renewing in person, the DMV will ask which you prefer. If you already have a REAL ID license, your renewal will be REAL ID unless you request a standard license instead.
Fees and payment methods
A standard five-year license renewal costs $10. A REAL ID eight-year license renewal costs $24. If you renew online, you pay by debit card or credit card at the time of renewal. If you renew by mail, you send a check or money order with your process. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the DMV office.
South Carolina does not charge extra fees for address changes, photo updates, or name changes during renewal. The renewal fee covers the license itself. If you lose your license before the renewal date, replacement costs $10 for a standard license or $24 for a REAL ID, the same as renewal.
What happens if your license expires
Driving with an expired license is illegal in South Carolina, even if you have applied for renewal. If you are stopped by police, you can be cited. However, if you have submitted a renewal process online or by mail before your license expired, you have a grace period while your new license is in the mail — keep your renewal confirmation email or receipt with you as proof you applied.
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must visit a DMV office in person and may be required to retake the written driving test and vision test, depending on how long the license has been expired. The DMV website does not specify the exact threshold, so call 803-896-5000 to ask whether you will need to test before you visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. South Carolina sends a renewal notice about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for it. You can start the online renewal process or request a by-mail form as soon as you want.
What if I moved and need to change my address?
If you moved, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) along with your current license and proof of your Social Security number. Online and by-mail renewal do not allow address changes.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online renewal takes 7 to 10 business days by mail. By-mail renewal takes 10 to 15 business days after DMV receives your envelope. In-person renewal gives you the license on the spot, though you can request it be mailed instead. Times may vary during peak renewal periods.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
No, unless you want one. Online and by-mail renewal use your existing photo. If you renew in person, the DMV takes a new photo automatically. You can request a new photo during online or by-mail renewal by visiting a DMV office instead, but that requires an in-person trip.
What is the difference between REAL ID and a standard license?
A REAL ID license (gold star) meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A standard license does not. REAL ID costs $24 for eight years; standard costs $10 for five years. After May 7, 2025, you will need REAL ID or a passport for domestic flights.