How to Apply for a Driver's License
Frequently Asked Questions- Driving in South Carolina
1. What is required to apply for a driver license?
J visa holders must complete the SEVIS check-in process in order to be eligible for a SC driver license. Once you have completed check-in, you will need to bring the following documents to the SC Department of Motor Vehicles in order to apply for your driver license:
- IS-75 Driver License Letter
- To have this letter completed to bring to the DMV, you must fill it out completely (other than the bottom signature line) and email it to is@clemson.edu. Printed copies brought to our office will not be valid, as the letter must be printed on official letterhead.
- DS-2019 Form
- Visa
- Passport
- I-94 record
- Social Security card or denial letter (denial letter must be stamped by the Social Security Administration (SSA)- for questions regarding Social Security, refer to the Social Security link to the left)
Dependent (Spouses, children):
- IS-75 Driver License Letter
- To have this letter completed to bring to the DMV, you must fill it out completely (other than the bottom signature line) and email it to is@clemson.edu. Printed copies brought to our office will not be valid, as the letter must be printed on official letterhead.
- DMV will check visa to see dependent SEVIS name and ID
- I-20/DS-2019 Form
- Visa
- Passport
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
- Social Security card or denial letter (must be stamped by the SSA)
2. Can I transfer my current license from another country?
Yes, if you possess an international driver license and a country license from a country with reciprocity. Countries with reciprocity are listed on page 19 of the South Carolina Driver Handbook.
3. How can I translate my existing driver license from my home country?
- Must complete 4030-Translation Form.
- Translation certificate can be signed any certified translator
- The translator that completes the 4030 must have a letter of verification from their employer on letterhead qualifying them as a translator.
- No translation needed for International Driving License.
- No translation needed for English Language Driver License.
- If driver license is translated on the document no translation is required.
4. Will I be required to take a driver exam or knowledge test?
- If you possess only a foreign country license from a country without reciprocity you will be required to pass a knowledge test and then a driver exam to obtain your license.
- If you have only an international driver license you will have to have a beginner permit for 6 months, take a knowledge test, and driver exam.
- Without either an international driver license or country license, you will have to begin with a beginner’s permit, take a knowledge test, and a driver exam.
5. Can I drive alone with a beginner’s permit?
No. Students driving with beginner’s permits must have an adult above the age of 21 with a South Carolina driver license in the car at all times.
6. What should I expect once I am approved for a license?
After passing your exams, you will receive a paper license which is valid for driving only inside of South Carolina. The permanent license will arrive in 60 days at which point you can use this license to drive within the U.S.
7. Can I extend my driver license for the grace period after my F or J visa program?
Only students seeking post-completion OPT or the 24 month OPT extension may extend the driver license after the program end date listed on the first page of the I-20. Students who are not seeking OPT may not extend for the grace period per South Carolina law. Dependents of students seeking OPT are also eligible for extensions of the driver license.
8. Are there any resources available online about the permit test or driver's handbook?
Yes, the SC DMV has provided the following resources as great tools, http://www.epermittest.com/south-carolina and https://dmv-permit-test.com/south-carolina/practice-test-1.html.
If you have additional questions, please contact the Department of Motor Vehicles directly. You can view all DMV locations here and filter for "international customers". A few of the DMVs that serve Clemson students across the state can be found below and are grouped by geographic location.
| Main Campus | |
|
Seneca DMV |
Website: https://www.scdmvonline.com/Locations/Seneca Phone Number: 864-882-8698 |
| Greenville Campuses | |
|
Greenville - Saluda Dam |
Website: https://www.scdmvonline.com/Locations/Greenville-63-Saluda-Dam Phone Number: 864-241-1147 |
| Charleston Campuses | |
|
Charleston - Orleans Road |
Website: https://www.scdmvonline.com/Locations/Charleston-Orleans-Rd Phone Number: 843-852-2636 |
|
Charleston - Leeds Avenue |
Website: https://www.scdmvonline.com/Locations/Charleston-10-Leeds-Avenue Phone Number: 843-740-6168 |