Verify Payment Plan Eligibility

If you have a suspended license, you may qualify for the SCDMV Payment Plan in order to pay your reinstatement fees. If you qualify, you will be given a valid driver's license to use during the six-month payment plan period. 

Am I eligible for the payment plan?
Qualifying for the Payment Plan

If you meet all of the following qualifications, you may participate in the SCDMV Payment Plan:

  • South Carolina resident
  • At least 18
  • Had an SC driver's license prior to suspension
    If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you are not eligible for the payment plan unless you change your CDL to a regular license (Class D). Once you complete the payment plan, you may get a CDL again after passing all required tests.
  • Met all conditions for reinstatement besides paying the fee
  • Have not participated in payment plan within the last 36 months
  • Owe at least $300 in fees
  • Suspended for a qualifying reason
  • Have no pending suspensions

Pay my reinstatement fees
Enrolling in the Payment Plan

You may participate in the program if you meet all eligibility requirements. When you enroll, you will pay a $35 administrative fee and a 15% deposit. The 15% is the total reinstatement fee plus any daily fees you may owe.

You must do all of the following to enroll:

  • Sign an agreement
  • Pass any tests required for reinstatement
  • Pay any necessary fees for the test(s)

Once you complete these requirements, you'll receive the six-month license. You may sign up for the program at any SCDMV branch.

Find an SCDMV branch
Payment Plan Rules

Once you're enrolled in the payment plan, you must pay your balance in six months. You must follow all the rules below when participating in the payment plan:

  • Pay at least $50 at a time unless it's your final payment
  • Personal checks or business checks are not accepted
  • You may make payments as frequently as you'd like
  • The SCDMV will not send you any payment reminders or bills, but you will be sent a letter 20 days before the end of your payment plan period (six months)
  • As each payment is received, the money will be applied to your oldest suspension
  • Once you pay all fees, you are eligible for a regular (Class D) driver's license

You may make a payment towards the amount you owe in person or by mail, but your final payment must be paid in person. You must make application to renew your regular driver's license at an SCDMV office after the final payment is made. 

If you're mailing in your payment, mail it to the address below:

SCDMV
Driver Records
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016-0028

Six-month Driver's License
 
If you're enrolled in the payment plan, you may only receive a regular driver's license. The SCDMV does not issue six-month CDL. If you hold a CDL and are interested in a six-month license, you must change to a regular driver's license to participate. Once you've completed your reinstatement fee payments, you may take any required tests to get your CDL back.

You can get a regular driver's license back and keep your driving privileges if you pay all required fees before the six-month payment plan ends, and make application to renew your regular driver's license at an SCDMV office. 

Rules for the Six-month Driver's License

  • You will have full driving privileges.
  • You can get a duplicate six-month driver's license with the same expiration as your original.
  • You cannot renew a six-month license.
  • Your six-month license is subject to suspension like a regular license.
  • If your six-month license is suspended, it cannot be reinstated.
  • If you're suspended for a different violation while you're enrolled in the payment plan, your six-month license will be suspended, the payment plan will end, and all remaining suspensions will be reactivated.
  • The SCDMV cannot refund money you paid to the program.
  • If your six-month license expires, you will not be allowed to drive until your regular license is issued, even if you've paid all required fees.
  • If you have an ignition interlock requirement, you will have a restriction for it on your six-month license.
  • You may get a regular driver's license once you complete the payment program within six months.
  • While you have your six-month license, you cannot take a test for any new class of license until you complete the payment plan.

Payment Plan Default

If you're enrolled in the payment plan, all of your fees are due by the six-month expiration date on your driver's license.

If you do not pay all fees in six months, all of the following will happen:

  • Your license will expire.
  • You will not be able to get a regular  driver's license until all fees are paid.
  • If you do not pay the fees, any remaining suspensions will be reactivated.

You must pay all fees from any previous payment plans you participated in before you may enroll in a new payment plan.