Out of state license — South Carolina Permit Test

If you move to South Carolina permanently with a valid license from another state, you must apply for an SC license within 45 days.

Your license needs to tie you to South Carolina's records so your driving history and points follow you here.

If you have a valid driver's license or identification (ID) card from another state and permanently move to SC, you must apply for an SC license or ID within forty-five (45) days of moving to SC unless you are active-duty military or an employee of the US Government.

Active-duty military and US Government employees who move to SC are excepted from the 45-day rule to apply for an SC license.

These people are often posted to a state for a set term and keep their home-state ties while they serve.

If you have a valid driver's license or identification (ID) card from another state and permanently move to SC, you must apply for an SC license or ID within forty-five (45) days of moving to SC unless you are active-duty military or an employee of the US Government.

You must turn in your out-of-state license to receive a new one in South Carolina.

Surrendering the old card keeps a driver from holding two valid licenses at once.

You must turn in your out-of-state license or ID in order to receive a new one in SC.

If your out-of-state license has been expired for more than 9 months, you must pass the knowledge, skills and vision tests before you can get an SC license.

After a long lapse, SC cannot assume the driver's skills and knowledge are still current.

If your out-of-state license is expired for more than nine months, you must pass the knowledge, skills, and vision tests before you can get an SC license.

A temporary resident of SC, such as a military member or student, is not required to get an SC license but must have a valid out-of-state license to drive here.

Someone here for a short stay is still licensed and tested at home, so a second license would add nothing.

If you are moving to SC temporarily, whether a military member, student, or other, you are not required to get an SC driver's license for yourself or your dependents.

If you move out of SC, you must turn in your SC license to your new state when it issues you a new license.

Handing in the old license lets the new state notify SCDMV, which then cancels your SC license.

If you move out of SC, you must turn in your SC driver’s license or ID card to your new state of residency when issued a new license or ID.

If you register your vehicle in another state, turn in your SC license plate to SCDMV before you cancel your SC insurance.

A plate still on SC's records with no insurance behind it looks like an uninsured vehicle, and fees follow.

Before you cancel your SC insurance, turn in your SC license plate to the SCDMV.

A permanent resident of another state who is visiting SC can use a valid out-of-state license to drive here.

Visitors are already tested and licensed at home, so SC honours that license for their trip.

If you are a permanent resident of another state, you can use your valid out-of-state driver’s license to drive in SC.

An International Driving Permit is not an actual license; it translates a foreign-language license into English and is used with your valid license.

Officers need to read the license they are shown, but the permit alone proves nothing about the right to drive.

It is not an actual license but it translates your foreign language license into English.

After moving permanently to South Carolina, how soon must you apply for an SC license?

Within 45 days. Your license needs to tie you to South Carolina's records so your driving history and points follow you here. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.17: “If you have a valid driver's license or identification (ID) card from another state and permanently move to SC, you must apply for an SC license or ID within forty-five (45) days of moving to SC unless you are active-duty military or an employee of the US Government.”