Title VI Non-Discrimination Program

Policy and Assurances

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles' (SCDMV) goal is to fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related non-discrimination authorities. The SCDMV has given assurances to the US Department of Transportation in this regard.

What is Title VI?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related non-discrimination authorities say:

"No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, low-income, or Limited English Proficiency be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” 
 
The SCDMV values everyone’s civil rights and aims to provide equal opportunity and service for members of the public. As a federal aid recipient, the SCDMV strives to ensure non-discrimination authorities and equal opportunity in all of its programs and activities.

Who Qualifies as a LEP Person?

Limited English Proficient refers to any person, age five years and older, who does not speak English as their primary language and has a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English. 

Complaint Procedures

Complaints may be filed by anyone who believes they have been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any SCDMV service, program, or activity, whether federally funded or not, based on their race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, low income status, or Limited English Proficiency. 

Complaints will be accepted in writing only and may be filed with the SCDMV’s Office of Inspector General/Investigative Unit/Civil Rights Unit.

Allegations received at any SCDMV branch, by telephone call, fax, or email concerning a complaint will not be accepted; the SCDMV employee will immediately direct the customer to the website to fill out the Customer Complaint Form (SCDMV Form AD-809E).  The form also is available in Spanish (SCDMV Form AD-809S).  

A signed, written complaint documented on a Customer Compliant Form must be submitted within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.

Upon receiving a written complaint, all reasonable efforts will be made by Investigators to contact the complainant by telephone, email, or in person.  Otherwise, a response letter will be sent to the Complainant informing them that their complaint was received by the department and is in the review process.

The Customer Complaint Form (SCDMV Form AD-809E), or in Spanish (SCDMV Form AD-809S), is free. The form is also available at SCDMV branches.

You may fax, email, or mail your complaint, with the Customer Compliant Form (SCDMV Form AD-800C) (English and Spanish available) to the Civil Rights Unit for processing the following ways:

• Email
• Fax 803-896-8172 to Attention: SCDMV OIG Investigative Unit/Title VI Civil Rights Unit
• Mail

    SCDMV OIG Investigative Unit/Title VI Civil Rights Unit
    PO Box 1498 
    Blythewood, SC 29016-0022

View the SCDMV's Title VI Program poster in English or Spanish.

Community Participation Process

The Community Participation Process (CPP) is used to expand the SCDMV’s public outreach, support two-way dialogue with customers/constituents, and supplement customer feedback. It enables SCDMV policy to be relevant to local communities and fulfills the agency's obligations under the Title VI Program when increasing or decreasing the number of publicly accessible facilities and/or the services provided at SCDMV facilities.

This process enables the agency to make informed decisions through collaborative efforts and builds mutual understanding and trust between the agency and the public. Successful public participation is a continuous process, consisting of a series of activities and actions to inform the public and stakeholders of potential SCDMV changes to obtain input regarding how those potential changes may affect them.

At the SCDMV’s discretion, if a change in operations at an office is significant enough to have a substantial impact on the community that office serves, the SCDMV will host a public meeting. Where possible, the SCDMV will hold meetings at various times and dates to provide multiple options for constituents to attend meetings. However, the public does not need to attend meetings to provide feedback or comments since they can be accepted through email, social media, or online. The CPP strives to be proactive in initiating public involvement in the process and makes concerted efforts to involve members of all social, economic, and ethnic groups in the public involvement process.

The SCDMV encourages organizations or individuals to voluntarily provide their contact information and request to be added to the email list so individuals and organizations can receive updates and notices regarding proposed SCDMV operational changes. In addition, this will allow a public feedback mechanism for questions and concerns that constituents may have and provide an opportunity for the agency's communications office to respond. To request addition to the SCDMV's email list, please email the request to SCDMV Communications, and provide your name, organization name (if any), and email address.