Driving Laws in South Carolina for Seniors and Older Drivers

Learn about driving regulations and special initiatives aimed at keeping both senior drivers and South Carolina’s highways safe.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) enforces a plethora of laws and regulations that apply to drivers of all ages and stages.

However, some of the legislative regulations outlined below, such as potential licensing limits and processes for obtaining handicap parking plates and placards, may be particularly pertinent for senior drivers. In certain cases, South Carolina mandates drivers 65 and older to renew their licenses more regularly than younger drivers.

South Carolina License Renewal Procedures for Senior Citizens

Drivers 65 and older who want to renew their licenses must follow certain regulations.

Time limits: Drivers 65 and older must renew their licenses every five years; those under 65 may renew for five years by mail or 10 years in person at a local DMV office.

A vision exam is only required for a beginner’s permit or driver’s license, or if you have relocated out of state and returned to South Carolina. DMV officials will provide a free test, or drivers may have an exam conducted by a qualified eye care expert who must fill out a written form. If the DMV needs more information, it may seek an extra test by an eye care expert, who must fill out and submit a Report of Vision Screening for Non-Commercial Beginner Permits or Driver’s Licenses.

Written test: At the discretion of DMV employees, a written test may be needed.

Road test: At the discretion of DMV employees, a road test may be necessary.

License Restrictions That Might Exist

After conducting a driving test and discussing potential limits with the driver, the DMV may impose restrictions or conditions on his or her driver’s license.

The most prevalent limitation for senior drivers is the need for corrective lenses or glasses.

Other frequent conditions that the DMV may place on elderly drivers in South Carolina include:

no highway driving
No driving at night, and time of day limitations, such as no driving during rush hour traffic.

How to Request a South Carolina Unsafe Driver Investigation

The South Carolina DMV will take information regarding possibly risky driving from judges, police officers, and other DMV officials.

It does not have a specific system for family members, friends, and other concerned persons to report that a motorist may be risky behind the wheel, unlike other states.

Contact your local DMV office or the South Carolina Driver Improvement Office at P.O. Box 1498, Columbia, SC 29216 for further information.

How to Restore a Driver’s License

Contact one of the DMV offices located around the state for information on how to reinstate a license that has been suspended or revoked.

How to Obtain Disabled Driver Parking Placards or License Plates

Drivers with restricted mobility may be awarded disabled parking placards and license plates provided a competent medical practitioner recognizes the condition.

Placards and license plates are available for people who:

cannot walk 100 feet without exacerbating an existing medical condition or causing discomfort cannot walk without the use of, or aid from, a brace, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive equipment are severely limited by lung illness need portable oxygen
have a serious heart disease, are unable to walk owing to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic ailment, or are blind.

To receive a disability placard or plate, follow these steps:

Complete a Disabled Placard and License Plate Application and sign it.
Complete the Physician’s Statement portion of the application with a licensed physician.
Include a $36 price for a disability plate and a $1 fee for a disabled parking placard.
Send the original application to the address specified on the form.

Learn More About Senior Driving Rules in South Carolina

South Carolina drivers may find a lot of information on the DMV website, including license and car registration requirements. The downloaded “Driver’s Manual,” which provides details of DMV standards and local regulations of the road, as well as driving recommendations for senior drivers, is particularly interesting.