Designated Branches for People Who Are Not US Citizens

If you are not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident Alien (Green Card holder), you are not eligible to apply for a commercial driver’s license but may apply for a South Carolina driver’s license, beginner’s permit, or identification (ID) card at certain SCDMV locations.

South Carolina has 30 locations that process license and ID applications for customers who are lawfully present in the United States but are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens. When searching for an SCDMV branch that serves lawfully present non-US Citizens, be sure to filter for International Customers.

Driver's License Renewals for Non-US Citizens

If you are not a US citizen, you must renew your driver’s license at one of the SCDMV branches that process applications for lawfully present non-US Citizens.

To renew your license, you must do all of the following:

• Provide all documents proving your identity.
  Lawfully present non-US Citizens' Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-94)
• Pay $25 if license is valid for more than four years; Pay $12.50 if license is valid for less than four years.

In addition to the above requirements, if you received five or more points against your driving record in the last two years, you must take a knowledge test to renew your license.

Countries and Territories that have Reciprocity with South Carolina

South Carolina waives the requirement for knowledge and skills testing if you're a first-time applicant from a country, US territory, or a freely associated state that has a formal reciprocity agreement with this state as long as your out-of-country driving credential has not expired.

For a country to establish reciprocity with SC, the SCDMV must receive a formal request from the country or consulate for the country. The reciprocity agreements covering knowledge and skills testing do not change the requirements to show appropriate documentation. If you're not a US citizen, you will follow the same application process. Individuals from freely associated states are not US citizens but individuals from US territories are US citizens.

The Lawfully present non-US Citizens' Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-94) lists the documentation requirements for the most common immigration and visa statuses.

• Driver's licenses - Only the following countries, US territories, and freely associated states have formal reciprocity agreements with SC:
  • American Samoa
  • Canada
  • Federated State of Micronesia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guam
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Republic of Marshall Islands
  • Republic of Palau
  • South Korea*
  • Taiwan*
  • US Virgin Islands
• Motorcycle licenses - Only the following countries, US territories, and freely associated states have formal reciprocity agreements with South Carolina for motorcycle licenses:
  • American Samoa
  • Canada
  • Federated State of Micronesia
  • France
  • Germany
  • Guam
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Republic of Marshall Islands
  • Republic of Palau
  • US Virgin Islands
• Commercial driver's licenses (CDL) - Only the following countries have established a reciprocity agreement with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for CDL:
  • Canada
  • Mexico 

*South Korea and Taiwan require their citizens to get certification letters from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea or the Consulate General of the Republic of China (Taiwan) before they come into an SCDMV branch for a driver’s license or ID. You must provide the letter from the appropriate consulate certifying that your South Korean or Taiwanese license is valid. This letter is only valid for 30 days from the date on the letter. This letter will be accepted in lieu of the translation document that is generally required for a license in a foreign language. If you have a birth certificate that needs to be translated, complete the Translation Document (SCDMV Form 4030).