Where to renew and what documents you need
In South Carolina, you can renew your driver's license at any DMV office, by mail, or online through the SCDMV website — but not all three routes work for everyone. The method you can use depends on how close you are to your expiration date, whether your license was suspended or revoked, and what type of license you hold.
If you renew online or by mail, you will need your current South Carolina driver's license, a valid Social Security number, and a payment method (credit card, debit card, or electronic check). In-person renewal at a DMV office requires the same documents plus proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If your address on file is out of date, you must bring the address proof even if you are renewing by mail.
Your license must not be expired by more than five years to renew by mail or online. If it has been expired longer than that, or if your license was suspended or revoked, you must renew in person at a DMV office.
Key Takeaways
- Online and mail renewal through SCDMV work only if your license expired within the last five years and was never suspended or revoked.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office requires your current license, proof of address dated within 60 days, and payment; no appointment is needed but wait times vary by location.
- The renewal fee in South Carolina is $20 for a four-year license or $40 for an eight-year license, paid at the time of renewal.
- Processing times are when ready for in-person renewal, three to five business days for mail, and when ready for online renewal if you choose to print at home.
- If your name, date of birth, or other identifying information has changed since your last license was issued, you cannot use mail or online renewal and must go to a DMV office.
Online renewal through the SCDMV website
Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access. Go to the SCDMV website, select "Renew Driver's License," and follow the prompts. You will enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity. The system will confirm your current address on file and ask whether it is still correct. If it is, you can proceed; if it is not, you will be directed to renew in person instead.
After you pay the renewal fee ($20 for four years or $40 for eight years), your new license is issued when ready. You can print a temporary license at home right away, which is valid for 30 days while you wait for your physical license to arrive by mail — usually within five to seven business days. If you do not print the temporary license, you can continue using your current license until the new one arrives.
Online renewal is not available if your license has been suspended, revoked, or expired for more than five years, or if any of your personal information (name, date of birth, sex, or address) has changed since your last renewal.
Mail renewal by sending documents to SCDMV
To renew by mail, print the renewal form from the SCDMV website (Form DL-43) or request one by calling the SCDMV at 803-896-5000. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license, proof of your current address, and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Do not send cash.
Mail your packet to: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 1498, Blythewood, SC 29016. Processing takes three to five business days after SCDMV receives your packet. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. Keep your old license until the new one arrives; it remains valid until your expiration date.
Mail renewal has the same restrictions as online renewal: your license cannot have been expired for more than five years, cannot have been suspended or revoked, and your personal information cannot have changed. If you are unsure whether your address proof meets the 60-day requirement, include it anyway — SCDMV will contact you if there is a problem rather than rejecting your process outright.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
Walk into any South Carolina DMV office with your current driver's license, proof of your current address, and payment. No appointment is required. Bring your documents in person; you cannot mail them in for an in-person renewal. The DMV will verify your identity, take a new photo, and issue your new license on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days, and your permanent license will arrive by mail within five to seven business days.
In-person renewal is the only option if your license has been expired for more than five years, if it was suspended or revoked, or if any of your personal information has changed. It is also the fastest way to get a temporary license you can use when ready — the paper temporary is valid for driving right away, whereas online temporary licenses must be printed at home.
Wait times at DMV offices vary widely depending on location and time of day. Offices in rural areas typically have shorter waits than those in or near cities. Arriving early in the morning on a weekday usually means a shorter wait than afternoons or Saturdays. Check the SCDMV website for your local office's hours and location before you go.
Renewal fees and what you receive
South Carolina charges $20 to renew a four-year driver's license or $40 to renew an eight-year license. You choose which term you want at the time of renewal. The eight-year license costs more but means you will not need to renew again for eight years instead of four. Payment is due at the time of renewal, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person.
Your new license will have a new expiration date printed on it. The expiration date is four or eight years from the date SCDMV processes your renewal, not from the date your old license expired. If your old license expired on March 15, 2024, and you renew on April 10, 2024, your new license will expire four or eight years from April 10, not from March 15.
What to do if your license was suspended or revoked
If your South Carolina driver's license was suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it online or by mail. You must go to a DMV office in person. Bring your current license, proof of address, and payment. The DMV will check the status of your suspension or revocation in their system.
If the suspension or revocation has been lifted — for example, if you paid a traffic fine or completed a required course — the DMV can renew your license on the spot. If the suspension or revocation is still active, the DMV will tell you what you need to do to clear it before renewal is possible. This might include paying a reinstatement fee, completing a defensive driving course, or providing proof of insurance. Do not attempt to renew until you have resolved the underlying issue, as doing so will delay your renewal and may result in additional penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than five years?
No, not by mail or online. You must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address, and payment. The DMV will process your renewal the same way as a current license, and you will receive a temporary paper license when ready.
What counts as proof of my current address?
A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government-issued document (such as a tax return or voter registration card) dated within the last 60 days. The document must show your name and current address. A cell phone bill or credit card statement usually does not count.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license is issued when ready when you pay online. If you print a temporary license at home, you can use it right away for 30 days. Your permanent license arrives by mail in five to seven business days. If you do not print the temporary, your current license remains valid until the new one arrives.
Do I need an appointment to renew at a DMV office?
No. Walk-ins are accepted at all South Carolina DMV offices. However, wait times vary by location and time of day. Arriving early on a weekday usually means a shorter wait than afternoons or weekends.
What if my name has changed since my last license was issued?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your name has changed. You must renew in person at a DMV office and bring a document showing your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The DMV will update your name in their system and issue a new license with your current name.