SCDMV Resumes Walk-in Approach

May 07, 2021

This page was last updated on May 19, 2021.

Due to the substantial increase in customer volume at branch offices resulting from vaccinations and easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) is transitioning to a walk-in approach to better serve customers’ needs. The agency continues to require appointments, as it did before the COVID-19 pandemic, for CDL skills tests and regular and motorcycle license road tests. Also, dealers and business customers must comply with transaction drop-off times and limits.

As of June 1, 2021, the following changes taking place at all branch offices:

  • The SCDMV will no longer provide appointments for most transactions at SCDMV branches due to the need to provide expedited services to South Carolina residents.
  • The SCDMV will continue to require appointments all day for Commercial License Skills Testing and afternoon-only appointments for Regular License Skills Testing.
  • The SCDMV will return to performing in-car road tests at all branch offices.
  • SCDMV branch office lobbies will be open for anyone waiting to conduct in-person transactions at an SCDMV branch office. Customers will be given a ticket with a number that will be called when it is their turn at a counter. Customers will not hear their ticket number called if they wait outside the SCDMV building. Offices will provide paper towels and sanitizing spray for customers to sanitize chairs in lobbies if desired.

In an effort to continue to provide excellent service to all customers, the SCDMV will revert to its pre-COVID schedule for the following transactions on June 1, 2021. These transactions have daily cutoff times or require appointments:

Commercial License Knowledge and Skills Testing

  • Customers interested in taking commercial license skills tests must make an appointment at one of nine SCDMV branches able to accommodate this type of test.
    There was no change to this requirement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • For commercial license knowledge tests, customers will not be able to take knowledge tests after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Regular and Motorcycle License Knowledge and Skills Testing

  • All branches accept walk-in customers for these types of license skills tests from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. everyday besides Wednesday. On Wednesdays, branch offices accept walk-in customers for these types of license road tests from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
  • Customers must make appointments to take regular and motorcycle skills tests from 2 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Customers will not be able to take knowledge tests after 4:00 p.m.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)/International Registration Plan (IRP)

  • No appointment is needed for IFTA/IRP renewals, but transactions must be completed
    at a Motor Carrier SCDMV branch.
  • Customers will not be able to renew IFTA/IRP credentials after 4 p.m.

Dealer/Business Transactions

  • Beginning June 1, 2021, each dealer or business customer can process up to three transactions per day at SCDMV branches Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 – 11 a.m. and 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. and on Wednesday 9:30 – 11 a.m. and 1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
  • Each dealer or business Customer is only allowed to have one transaction per day processed over the counter on Monday and Friday.