South Carolina H 4011: Department of Motor Vehicles

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4011 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 04, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4011

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

Amended

April 3, 2025

H. 4011

Introduced 
by Rep. Erickson 

S. Printed 4/3/25--H. [SEC 
4/4/2025 3:59 PM]

Read the first time February 13, 2025

________

A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING 
SECTION 56-1-70, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY DRIVERS' PERMITS, SO AS 
TO DELETE THE TERM "TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM 
"TEMPORARY DRIVING CERTIFICATE," AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY 
IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-560 SO AS TO PROVIDE 
FOR THE EXPEDITED ISSUANCE OF BEGINNERS' PERMITS, DRIVERS' LICENSES, AND 
IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

 Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the 
General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 56-1-70 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 Section 
56-1-70. The Department of Motor Vehicles may, in 
its discretion, may issue a temporary driver's permit driving certificate to 
an applicant for a motor vehicle driver's license permitting him to operate a 
motor vehicle while the Department department is completing its investigation and 
determination of all facts relative to such applicant's right to receive a 
driver's license. Such permit must be in his immediate possession while 
operating a motor vehicle, and it shall be invalid when the applicant's license 
has been issued or for good cause has been refused. The department, 
in its discretion, may issue a temporary identification certificate to an 
applicant while the department is completing its investigation and 
determination of all facts relative to the applicant's ability to hold an 
identification card issued pursuant to this title.

SECTION 2. Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is 
amended by adding:

 Section 
56-1-560. The Department of Motor Vehicles, in its sole discretion, may 
approve a request to expedite the production and mailing of a beginner's 
permit, driver's license, or identification card if it deems the circumstances 
warranted. The department shall collect an additional fee of ninety dollars for 
each expedited beginner's permit, driver's license, or identification card. 
This fee is in addition to the other fees prescribed in this chapter. Upon 
payment of this fee, the department, or its authorized agent, shall produce and 
mail the beginner's permit, driver's license, or identification card in the 
most expeditious manner once it is produced. The funds collected pursuant to 
this section must be retained by the department and used to offset costs of the 
production and mailing of beginners' permits, drivers' licenses, and 
identification cards. The department shall conduct a quadrennial review of this 
fee to ensure it is sufficient, but not excessive, to cover expenses including 
the total of the direct and indirect costs to the State for providing this 
service and shall present its findings to the General Assembly, to include any 
recommendations to adjust the amount of the fee. Findings may be included in 
the department's annual accountability report.

SECTION 3. Section 56-1-40(7) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 (7) who is not a resident of South 
Carolina. For purposes of determining eligibility to obtain or renew a South 
Carolina driver's license, the term "resident of South Carolina" shall 
expressly include all persons authorized by the United States Department of 
Justice, the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, or the 
United States Department of State to live, work, or study in the United States 
on a temporary or permanent basis who present documents indicating their intent 
to live, work, or study in South Carolina. These persons and their dependents 
are eligible to obtain a motor vehicle driver's license, 
identification card, or have one renewed pursuant 
to this provision. A driver's license or identification 
card issued pursuant to this item to a person who is not a lawful 
permanent resident of the United States shall expire on the later of: (1) the 
expiration date of the driver's license applicant's 
authorized period of stay in the United States; or (2) the expiration date of 
the driver's license applicant's employment 
authorization document provided the driver's license or 
identification card is valid for no more than eight years. However, a driver's license issued pursuant to this item is 
valid for at least one year but not more than eight years from the date of its 
issue. Under this provision, a driver's license valid for not more than 
four years must be issued upon payment of a fee of twelve dollars and fifty 
cents. A driver's license that is valid for