Applying for a South Carolina Driver's License

To obtain a drivers license in the U.S., you must visit the Department of Motor Vehicles. This is a state government agency tasked with issuing driver's licenses and ID cards, completing vehicle registrations and car title transfers, registering vehicles, etc. 

Different states have various names for this agency. For instance, in South Carolina, it is called the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in Maryland, it is called the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), while in Kentucky, it is referred to as the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Their responsibilities may differ, but only in terms of minor things.

One of the primary reasons to visit the DMV is to apply or renew a driver’s license. Even though the organization handles other matters, everything begins with this simple procedure.

Below you will find important information and useful links for applying for a driver's license in South Carolina:

What is required to apply for a driver’s license?
F and J visa holders must complete the international student check-in process to be eligible for a SC driver’s license. Once you have completed your check-in and your SEVIS record is active, you will need to bring the original documents below to the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to apply for your driver’s license. Please note that not all SC DMVs process applications for international applicants. You can find a list of all SC DMV locations here. Be sure to filter for “International Customers”.

The list below is meant to serve as a guide when compiling your required documents and is subject to change. Please review the SCDMV’s website and the SCDMV International Customers’ Checklist for official guidance.

• F-1/J-1 Students
  • Prior to applying for a driver's license, international students must complete their SEVIS check-in in through International Services iStart Portal. 
  • Enrollment verification letter: You must first confirm your U.S. address in the my.clemson app prior to requesting your letter from the Registrar. Once your address is confirmed or updated, you can email the Registrar to obtain an enrollment verification letter.
  • I-20/DS-2019 Form
  • F/J visa stamp in valid passport 
  • Valid Passport
  • Most recent I-94 record
  • Social Security card or Social Security Administration (SSA) denial letter
    • If you do not have a social security number (SSN) or are ineligible for one, you must first apply for and be formally denied by SSA. The SSA will provide you with a denial letter that you must take with you to the SCDMV to apply for your driver's license. 
  • Proof of liability car insurance coverage. 
  • Additional items found on the SCDMV International Customers’ Checklist.
    
    
• Dependents (Spouses, children):
  • Enrollment verification letter of F or J primary visa holder: You must first confirm your U.S. address in the my.clemson app prior to requesting your letter from the Registrar. Once your address is confirmed or updated, you can email the Registrar to obtain the enrollment verification letter.
  • DMV will check visa to see dependent SEVIS name and ID.
  • I-20/DS-2019 Form
  • F-2/J-2 visa stamp in valid passport. 
  • Valid Passport
  • Most recent I-94 record
  • Social Security card or Social Security Administration (SSA) denial letter
    • If you do not have a social security number (SSN) or are ineligible for one, you must first apply for and be formally denied by SSA. The SSA will provide you with a denial letter that you must take with you to the SCDMV to apply for your driver's license. 
  • Proof of liability car insurance coverage. 
  • Additional items found on the SCDMV International Customers’ Checklist.

Can I transfer my current license from another country?
A list of countries that have formal reciprocity agreements with South Carolina can be found under the “Countries and Territories that have Reciprocity with South Carolina” section here. It is strongly advised to get an International Driving Permit from your home country. An International Driving Permit serves as a language translation to be used with your valid driver's license. It is not an actual license but it translates your foreign language license into English. It allows law enforcement officers to read your license.

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
• You can find certified translators within the American Translators Association. 
• No translation needed for International Driving License.
• No translation needed for English Language Driver’s License.
• If the driver's license is translated on the document no translation is required.

Will I be required to take a driver exam or knowledge test?

• South Carolina waives the requirement for knowledge and skills testing for an individual who is applying for a first-time SC driver’s license and has an out-of-country unexpired driving credential from a country that has a formal reciprocity agreement with South Carolina. If you are from a country that does not have a formal reciprocity agreement with South Carolina, you will be required to take the knowledge and skills test to request a SC driver's license. 
• If you have only an international driver’s license you will have to have a beginner permit for six months, take a knowledge test, and driver exam.
• Without either an international driver’s license or country license, you will have to begin with a beginner’s permit, take a knowledge test, and a driver exam.

Can I drive alone with a beginner’s permit?
No. Students driving with beginner’s permits must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience in the front seat with you. Review the “Beginner’s Permit” section here for additional information.

Can I extend my driver license for the grace period after my F or J visa program?
Only students seeking post-completion OPT, the 24-month OPT extension, or Academic Training may extend the driver’s license after the program end date listed on the first page of the I-20/DS-2019. Students who are not seeking one of these employment authorizations may not extend for the grace period per South Carolina law. Dependents of students seeking OPT/Academic Training are also eligible for extensions of the driver license.

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: 

• iStart Portal
• I-94 Record
• Registrar's Office Enrollment Verification
• SCDMV Practice Tests
• SCDMV Driver Handbook
• Social Security Administration
• How much car insurance do I need?

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.