International Customers

Designated Branches for People Who Are Not US Citizens

If you're not a US citizen, you may apply for a South Carolina driver's license or identification (ID) card only at specific branches. There are 27 branches that issue licenses and IDs for international customers. Transactions for international customers are only available during normal business hours Monday through Friday.

When searching for an SCDMV branch that serves international customers, be sure to filter the results to 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 international customers.

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

• Provide all documents proving your identity.
  International Customers' 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 International Customers' 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, US territories, and freely associated states have established a reciprocity agreement with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for CDL:
  • American Samoa
  • Canada
  • Federated State of Micronesia
  • Guam
  • Mexico
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Republic of Marshall Islands
  • Republic of Palau
  • US Virgin Islands

*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).