Beginning October 1, 2020, your South Carolina driver’s license or identification card must have a gold star to show it’s a REAL ID in order to use it as your identification to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a secured federal building, or visit a military installation. Purchase yours today to avoid longer lines in the future.
New South Carolina driver's licenses and identification cards, some of which are compliant with REAL ID, are now available for purchase. There’s been no change in the price of any card the SCDMV issues. The new cards are valid for no more than eight years.
A REAL ID will be your license or your ID. You are not issued separate cards. Either you will hold a REAL ID license, REAL ID ID (no driving privileges), standard license that says "Not for Federal Identification," or a standard ID (no driving privileges) that says "Not for Federal Identification." A gold star on your license or ID designates it as a REAL ID.
Regardless of whether you buy a REAL ID or not, you must still have an unexpired US Passport to travel internationally.
It is optional to change to a REAL ID
You only need a REAL ID driver's license or identification card if you plan to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a secure federal building, or visit a military installation on and after October 1, 2020 and you do not have another federally approved identification (valid US Passport or military ID) to use for those purposes.
You do not need a REAL ID driver's license or identification card to do any of the following:
If you're visiting a branch to change your card to a REAL ID, you must have the correct documentation with you to do so.
REAL ID commercial driver's licenses, identification cards, and licenses for international customers are not available online.
You must show a complete name change history that links your birth certificate name to your present day name. If you have a valid US Passport or US Passport Card with your current, legal name, you may use that as your name change document.If you are a veteran who has honorably served in the country's armed services, please bring your Discharge Certificate (DOD Form DD-214) that shows you were honorably discharged to add the "veteran" designation to your driver's license or identification card.If you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), you may visit an SCDMV branch to purchase a REAL ID CDL as long as you have all required documents listed above. ID HoldersIf you’re 5 to 16 years old, your ID is $5. If you’re 17 or older, your ID is free. If you have an ID you do not have driving privileges and cannot drive a vehicle.
International CustomersIn addition to all of the required documents above, you must provide proof of your authorized length of stay within the US. If you’re interested in the documentation requirements for international customers, see the International Customers’ Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-94).South Carolina's StatusThe US Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005 as a result of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to standardize government-issued identifications, like driver’s licenses. This is a federal law that affects federal agencies, federal buildings, and military bases. A REAL ID license is valid for no more than eight years.
Changing your CDL to a REAL ID CDL works the same as if you were renewing your CDL, but the SCDMV must have all required documents needed to purchase a REAL ID.
If you do not think you have a need to fly or visit a federal building, you do not need a REAL ID. If you have a valid US Passport or military ID, or another federally approved identification, you may use that as your identification when you travel instead of changing your license or identification card to a REAL ID.