Why did South Carolina’s licenses and You do not need a REAL ID to Are my required documents already

IDs change? on file?

South Carolina redesigns its licenses every so often Maybe. The SCDMV may have your documents on
to stay ahead of people wanting to illegally create file if you received your first South Carolina
fraudulent cards. beginner’s permit, driver’s license, or identification
card or changed your license after holding a license
These new cards are the most secure to date. The
from another state during or after November 2010.
cards with the gold star are compliant with the
federal REAL ID Act of 2005. If you believe you fall into this category, you can
check the status of your documents by completing
the “REAL ID Document Check” at
www.scdmvonline.com or calling 803-896-5000.
If your documents are already on file, you do not
Do I have to change my card to a have to resubmit them to change your current card
REAL ID? to a REAL ID.
No. You do not have to change your license or ID to a What happens between now and May
REAL ID. But, if you do not change your license or ID, 3, 2023?
you must have another federally approved
Between now and May 2, 2023, you should experi-
identification, such as a valid US Passport or military
ence nothing differently when trying to board a
ID, to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a
domestic, commercial flight, enter a secure federal
secure federal building, or visit a military installation
building, or visit a military installation. All South
on and after May 3, 2023.
Carolina licenses and IDs that are not expired,
How do I change to a REAL ID? regardless of which style of card you have, will
To change your current South Carolina license or ID to continue to be accepted to do those federal
a REAL ID, you will need all of the following: activities.
Proof of Identity (Government-issued birth On and after May 3, 2023, you must have a card
certificate or unexpired US Passport) with the gold star, or another federally approved
Social Security Number identification, to board a domestic, commercial
Two Proofs of Current, Physical SC Address flight, enter a secure federal building, or visit a
Proof of All Legal Name Changes military installation.
What’s REAL ID?
REAL ID is a federal law. On and after May 3, 2023, Does my child need a REAL ID to board
your South Carolina driver’s license or identification A complete list of documents the SCDMV will accept is
on the United States Citizens’ Checklist (SCDMV Form
a plane?
card must look like the one with the gold star above The TSA does not require children to have a REAL
to use it as your identification to do any of the MV-93). The requirements for international customers
ID when flying with an adult who has a REAL ID. If
following: are different. For a complete list of documents for
you choose to purchase a REAL ID identification
Board a domestic, commercial flight international customers, see the International
card for your child between the age of 5 and 16
Enter a secure federal building Customers’ Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-94). You can
years old, it’s $15, and all of your child’s required
Visit a military installation find these forms online at www.scdmvonline.com.
documents must be on file.
Purchase Your REAL ID Online Learn More
You may be able to purchase your REAL ID online To learn more about REAL ID, visit
if all required documents are on file with the www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs
SCDMV. If you’re eligible for purchasing a REAL ID It’s important to note that individual federal
or ID card online, you must use a valid credit or facilities, including military installations, may have
debit card. Your new REAL ID license or ID card will different security measures and accepted forms of
have the same photograph currently on your identification may vary. You should contact the
South Carolina license, and it will be mailed to the facility before visiting to learn what forms of ID will
address on file with the SCDMV. Once your new be accepted.
REAL ID license or ID card arrives, you must
destroy your old card. It will immediately become Beginning May 3, 2023, you will need a REAL ID or
invalid once you receive your new card. another federally approved form of identification to
board a domestic, commercial flight. You must still
Required Vision Screening have a valid US Passport to travel internationally.

Licenses
South Carolina Act #220 of 2018 took effect in For a complete list of identification
October 2020 which requires a vision screening to accepted by the TSA, visit
renew a driver’s license. South Carolinians who www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.
want to take advantage of purchasing a REAL ID

& IDs
license online must have a Certificate of Vision
Examination submitted via an electronic portal by
an SC-Licensed eye care professional, on file with
the SCDMV. A Certificate of Vision Examination is

have
valid for 12 months from the date of the exam.

Online Restrictions
If the required REAL ID documents are not on file

changed
with the SCDMV and you want to change your
current card to a REAL ID, you must visit an
SCDMV branch with all required documents.
If you’re an international customer, you’re eligible
for a REAL ID, but there are certain SCDMV
branches that complete international customer
transactions. You will find those locations online.
Learn more about REAL ID
South Carolina
Department of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 1498
Blythewood, SC 29016 www.scdmvonline.com
803-896-5000 v.8 July 2021
www.scdmvonline.com