In South Carolina, drivers aged 65 and older follow the same license renewal cycle as the general population, with licenses valid for eight years. However, specific requirements apply to ensure safe driving capabilities:
Renewal Process for Seniors
- Vision test: Mandatory at every renewal for all drivers, including seniors. This can be conducted free at DMV offices or by a licensed eye care professional who submits results electronically.
- In-person renewal: Required if the driver has accumulated >5 points on their record in the past two years, necessitating a knowledge test.
- Mail/online options: Available for eligible seniors, but an eye exam by a licensed professional is required for mail renewals. Online renewals provide an eight-year license using existing DMV photos.
Special Considerations
- License restrictions: The DMV may impose conditions like requiring corrective lenses or limiting driving hours based on test results.
- Fee: Standard renewal costs $25, with no specific senior discount mentioned in recent guidelines.
Earlier sources referenced a five-year renewal cycle for seniors, but updated 2025 data from the IIHS and SCDMV confirms alignment with the eight-year standard5. Always verify requirements directly with the SCDMV before renewing, as policies may evolve.
Sources:
- https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/south-carolina-driving-laws-seniors-older-drivers.html
- https://www.thezebra.com/resources/driving/driving-rules-seniors/
- https://www.scdmvonline.com/driver-services/renewals
- https://www.nursenextdoor.com/blog/6-tips-elderly-drivers-license-renewals/
- https://www.iihs.org/topics/older-drivers/license-renewal-laws-table
