DRIVER’S LICENSE
Newcomers who plan to operate motor vehicles must obtain a South Carolina driver’s license within 90 days of becoming a permanent resident. Most newcomers, unless they drive commercial vehicles, will need a class D license, which allows the operation of passenger cars and small trucks.
If you hold a commercial license, you must obtain an S.C. commercial license within 30 days. If you operate a motorcycle, you’ll also need a motorcycle endorsement. Additionally, newcomers who operate motorcycles or mopeds exclusively may obtain licenses covering only those vehicles. A conditional license allows residents 15 years old to drive alone during daylight hours or at night under adult supervision until they reach the age of 16.
For more information, call the Motor Vehicle Services Division of the state Department of Public Safety’s toll-free line, 800-442-1368, or check the Web site at www.sdmvonline.com.
MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
You can register your motor vehicles at any of the driver’s license offices. You must register your car or truck within 45 days of moving to South Carolina. To obtain a license plate, you will need your vehicle’s title or current registration and proof that you have liability insurance. Additionally, you will have to pay the property taxes on your vehicle and furnish the registration office with a receipt issued by the tax office in the county where you live. After this initial registration, the county auditor will mail you a tax notice each year about a month before your registration expires.
The registration fee is $24 ($20 if you are 65 or older or if you are disabled). The fee covers two years, but validation stickers for your license plate must be obtained each year.
South Carolina has no mandatory annual vehicle safety inspection law. However, the state still has minimum standards for safety-related equipment, such as tires, lights and glazing, and these standards are enforced by state troopers.
DMV OFFICES
135 Wimberly Drive, Ladson
843-572-7854
438 N. Hwy. 52, Moncks Corner
843-761-5385
3790 Leeds Ave., North Charleston
843-740-6168
Ashley Oaks Plaza, Charleston
843-769-5879
180 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston
843-727-6477
1189 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 500,
Mount Pleasant
843-884-9760
8740 N. Park Blvd., North Charleston
843-953-6060
5315 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George
843-563-6130
RULES OF THE ROAD
• Speed limits are 55 mph on interstate highways, though many stretches of interstate in South Carolina are posted at 65 mph or 60 mph. The maximum speed limit on other rural highways is 55 mph, and the highest unposted limit in urban areas is 30 mph. However, many streets and highways in urban areas are posted for both higher and lower speeds. Always check speed limit signs when you drive.
• All front-seat passengers must wear seat belts. In the rear seat, passengers up to 17 years old must be restrained by a lap belt or approved safety seat. An approved safety seat is required for children under 1 year of age regardless of the child’s position in the vehicle and for children between 1 and 5 who are riding in the front seat. Officers have the authority to stop a driver who is not wearing a safety belt, who has a passenger not wearing a safety belt or who is not secured in a child restraint system.
• Motorcyclists and motorcycle passengers under 21 must wear approved safety helmets and either goggles or face shields attached to their helmets. Motorcyclists must burn their headlights at all times when on public streets or highways. Motorcycles with 5 horsepower or less are not allowed on interstate highways.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs can result in prison time, heavy fines, suspended driver’s licenses and much higher insurance rates. South Carolina has an implied consent law, meaning that by driving on public streets and highways, you give your permission for law enforcement officers to administer tests for intoxication. You will be considered intoxicated if your blood alcohol level is 0.08 percent or higher. If you drink, don’t drive.
VOTER REGISTRATION OFFICES
Berkeley County Board of Elections
6 Belt Drive, Mocks Corner
843-719-4056
Charleston Board of Elections
4367 Headquarters Road, North Charleston
843-744-8683
East Cooper Service Center
1189 Iron Bridge Road, Room 400, Mount Pleasant
843-856-1203
North Area Service Center
4045 Bridge View Drive, North Charleston
843-202-6691
St. Paul’s Service Center
5962 Hwy. 165, Suite 300, Ravenel
843-889-3762
Dorchester County Board of Elections
201 Johnston St., St. George
843-563-0132
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Berkeley County
843-719-4052
www.co.berkeley.sc.us
Charleston County
843-958-4000
www.charlestoncounty.org
Dorchester County
843-563-0103
www.dorchestercounty.net
Awendaw
843-928-3100
www.awendawsc.com
Bonneau
843-825-3385
Charleston
843-724-3746
www.ci.charleston.sc.us
Folly Beach
843-588-7006
www.follybeachsouthcarolina.org
Goose Creek
843-797-6220
www.cityofgoosecreek.com
Hanahan
843-554-4221
www.cityofhanahan.info
Harleyville
843-462-7676
Hollywood
843-889-3222
www.townofhollywood.org
Isle of Palms
843-886-6428
www.isle-of-palms.sc.us
James Island
843-568-3922
www.townofjamesislandsc.org
Kiawah Island
843-768-9166
www.kiawahisland.org
Lincolnville
843-270-9646
www.lincolnvillesc.com
McClellanville
843-887-3712
www.townofmcclellanville-sc.net
Meggett
843-889-3622
www.meggettsc.com
Moncks Corner
843-719-7900
www.townofmonckscorner.com
Mount Pleasant
843-884-8517
www.townofmountpleasant.com
North Charleston
843-554-5700
www.northcharleston.org
Ravenel
843-889-8732
Reevesville
843-563-9128
Ridgeville
843-871-7960
Rockville
843-549-0938
www.townofrockville.com
Seabrook Island
843-768-9121
www.townofseabrookisland.org
St. Stephen
843-567-3597
Sullivan’s Island
843-883-3198
www.sullivansisland-sc.com
Summerville
843-871-6000
www.summerville.sc.us
LIBRARIES
Berkeley County Library System
1003 Hwy. 52
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843-719-4223
www.berkeley.lib.sc.us
Charleston County Public Library System
68 Calhoun St.,
Charleston, SC 29401
843-805-6903
www.ccpl.org
Dorchester County Library System
506 N. Parler Ave.
St. George, SC 29477
843-832-0159
http://dcl.lib.sc.us
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