South Carolina (S.C.) Driver’s License

F and J visa holders must complete the international student check-in process and have an active SEVIS record to be eligible for an S.C. driver’s license.

To apply for an S.C. driver’s license, you must provide original documents to the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The list is meant to guide you when compiling your required documents and is subject to change. Please review the DMV's website and International Customers’ Checklist (PDF) for official guidance.

Requirements for Primary F-1/J-1 Visa Holders:

• Enrollment Verification Letter: You must first confirm your U.S. address in my.clemson.edu. Once your address is confirmed or updated, you can email the Registrar to obtain the enrollment verification letter.
• I-20/DS-2019 Form
• Visa
• Passport
• Most recent I-94 record
• Social Security card or Social Security Administration (SSA) Denial Letter: If you do not have a Social Security number (SSN) or are ineligible, you must first apply for and be formally denied by SSA. They will provide a rejection letter.
• Proof of Address:
  • Two proofs of address are required for a REAL ID beginner’s permit, driver’s license or identification card. Review the list of acceptable proofs of address under Section 1 of the International Customers’ Checklist (PDF).
  • Only one proof of address is required for a permit, license or ID card that has “NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION” printed on it.
• Automobile Liability Insurance Company Name: Required if applying for a driver’s license.

Requirements for Dependents (Spouses, children):

• Enrollment Verification Letter of F or J Primary Visa Holder: You must first confirm your U.S. address in my.clemson.edu. Once your address is confirmed or updated, you can email the Registrar to obtain the enrollment verification letter.
• DMV will check visa to see dependent SEVIS name and ID.
• I-20/DS-2019 Form
• Visa
• Passport
• Most recent I-94 record
• Social Security card or Social Security Administration (SSA) Denial Letter: If you do not have a Social Security number (SSN) or are ineligible, you must first apply for and be formally denied by SSA. They will provide a rejection letter.
• Proof of Address:
  • Two proofs of address are required for a REAL ID beginner’s permit, driver’s license or identification card. Review the list of acceptable proofs of address under Section 1 of the International Customers’ Checklist (PDF).
  • Only one proof of address is required for a permit, license or ID card that has “NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION” printed on it.
• Automobile Liability Insurance Company Name: Required if applying for a driver’s license.

Not all S.C. DMVs process applications for international applicants. View the list of all S.C. DMV locations and be sure to filter for “International Customers.”

A list of countries that have formal reciprocity agreements with South Carolina can be found under the “Countries and Territories that have Reciprocity with South Carolina” section. It is strongly advised to get an International Driving Permit from your home country to serve as a language translation to be used with your valid driver’s license. It allows law enforcement officers to read your license.

• Must complete 4030-Translation Form.
• Translation certificate can be signed any certified translator from the American Translators Association.
• No translation needed for International Driving License or English Language Driver’s License.
• If the driver’s license is translated on the document, no translation is required.

• South Carolina waives the requirement for knowledge and skills testing for first-time S.C. driver’s license applicants with a valid, out-of-country driving credential from a country that has a formal reciprocity agreement with South Carolina.
• If you are from a country without a formal reciprocity agreement, or if you only have an international driver's license, you will need a beginner permit for 6 months and must take a knowledge test and a driving exam.
• Without either an international driver’s license or country license, you will have to begin with a beginner’s permit, take a knowledge test and driving exam.

No. Students driving with beginner’s permits must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience in the front seat with you.

Only students pursuing post-completion OPT, the 24-month OPT extension or Academic Training can extend their driver’s license beyond their program end date. Dependents of these students are also eligible for extensions of their driver’s licenses. Other students are not eligible for the grace period under South Carolina law.

Yes, the S.C. DMV has provided the following resources as great tools: ePermitTest.com and DMV-Permit-Test.com.