New to South Carolina

Welcome to South Carolina, birth state of Dizzie Gillespie, Andrew Jackson, and Vanna White.

South Carolina is a wonderful place to be, sprinkled with beaches, historical sites, and state parks, but first you need to take care of some business. Here you'll find the information you need to get a driver's license and register your vehicle in South Carolina. These transactions are handled through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), with office locations across the state.

Driver's License

You have 90 days to apply for your South Carolina driver's license after establishing residence in the state.

If you already have a beginner's permit from another state, you can transfer the permit to South Carolina. You'll need to keep it for 180 days, including the time you possessed it in another state, before applying for your driver's license. If your permit expires, South Carolina requires you to take vision and knowledge tests.

You'll need to complete a Form 447 to apply for South Carolina credentials such as driver's licenses of all types or identification cards. When you apply, you will need to furnish documentation proving your identification, your residency, and your citizenship.

The state has issued an identification checklist to help you determine which documents you will need when applying for your license. Although the list is lengthy, you will only need to provide one or two documents per section.

If you are an international resident and wish to apply for SC credentials, the state provides a checklist with your identification requirements.

Check out our Other License Information section for more details.

Registration

You have 45 days to register and tag your vehicle with SC plates. Registration can also be handled by mail.

Complete a Form 400 and gather up your out-of-state title and registration, any lien information, proof of liability insurance, your receipt for paid property taxes, and the applicable fees―$15 to title all vehicles, and the registration fee depends on the type of vehicle.

Send it all to:

• South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 1948

• Blythewood, SC 29016-0024

Check out our Registration FAQs for more information.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Be sure to enjoy your first few days in the state and not get too bogged down with the move. South Carolina's beauty is to be enjoyed and the state provides many outlets for you and your family.

A great starting point to find fun places around your new home is the state's tourism Web site Discover South Carolina. Here you'll find comprehensive lists of beaches, whitewater, historic festivals, activities for kids, and even "chick trips," perfect for a weekend getaway with the girls.

Other categories covered on the Web site include shopping and dining, outdoor activities, parks, and lodging.

South Carolina also offers a Travel and Recreation Web site with travel information and a wide variety of maps which will help you as you explore your new home. Have fun!

South Carolina Trivia

• South Carolina was the 8th state.

• The state flower is the Yellow Jessamine, a member of the olive family.

• The highest point in the state is Sassafras Mountain at 3,560 feet.

• The capitol, and largest city, is Columbia.

• The state bird is the Carolina Wren.

• South Carolina has two state beverages: milk, and the hospitality beverage, tea.

• More than 1 million peach trees grow in one South Carolina county, Edgefield.