Highway Travel
The Charleston Metropolitan region is well-served by a network of federal, county, and state highways that include Interstates 26, 526, 95 and Highway 17. Five primary US highways—17, 52, 78, 176, and 701—join 17 primary state highways to ensure quick and easy access to, from, and around the area. For more information about highway travel in and through South Carolina or answers to specific questions, contact:
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
803-737-2314
www.dot.state.sc.us
Useful SCDOT Links
Bicycle & Pedestrian Program
www.dot.state.sc.us/getting
Getting Around in South Carolina
www.dot.state.sc.us/getting
SCDOT Traffic Cams
www.dot.state.sc.us/getting/cams
South Carolina Road Conditions
www.dot.state.sc.us/getting/roadcondition.shtml
Drivers License
New residents must apply for a South Carolina driver license within 90 days. If your license from your home state has expired, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests in addition to the eye exam. Upon receiving your new license, you must relinquish your out-of-state license. Your South Carolina driver license is valid for five years and must be renewed by your birthday in the fifth year. Drivers who are at least 15 years of age and have held a beginner's permit for at least 180 days are eligible to apply for a conditional license. Drivers who are at least 16 years of age and have held a beginner's permit for at least 180 days can apply for a restricted license. Drivers who are at least 17 years old and have held a beginner's permit for 180 days are eligible to apply for a South Carolina driver license with full privileges.
Vehicle Registration & Title
Newcomers from another state must register and title their vehicles in South Carolina within 45 days. You may apply for the title and registration by mail, completing the Form 400 and mailing it to the address listed on the form. To complete the form, you must have your vehicle odometer mileage reading and any current lien information. The documentation necessary to register and title a vehicle includes your out-of-state vehicle title and registration. If there is a lien on your vehicle, you must bring the name and address of the company that holds the lien. You will need liability insurance information including the name of your automobile liability insurance company. Before you can register your vehicle in South Carolina, you must first pay the property taxes that are required in the county in which you reside and have a receipt. You must also pay all associated title and registration fees.
For more information on driver licenses or vehicle services in South Carolina or answers to specific questions, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles. SCDMV operates a number of convenient field offices around the metro region:
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV)
803-737-4000
www.scdmvonline.com
Online SCDMV Services
South Carolina has expanded the number of services that are available online to include address changes, license renewals and duplicates, identification card renewals, viewing driver license status, obtaining your driver record, and paying reinstatement fees. Simply visit the following website and follow the instructions:
SCDMV Public Services Site
www.scdmvonline.com/DMVpublic
Insurance Requirements
Providing the name of your insurance company is required to register a vehicle. To register as an uninsured motorist, you must pay a $550 Uninsured Motorist Fee. This fee does not purchase insurance coverage. It only allows the driver to operate an uninsured motor vehicle on the South Carolina roads. Owners that pay the $550 Uninsured Motorist Fee are liable for damages if they are at fault in an accident.
Safety Regulations
South Carolina’s seat belt law requires that every driver and every occupant of a motor vehicle must wear a fastened seat belt that complies with all provisions of federal law for its use. The driver is charged with the responsibility of requiring every occupant 17 years of age or younger to wear a seat belt or be secured in a child restraint system as required by law. The seat belt law is secondary for persons 18 and older. This means that a law enforcement officer may not stop a vehicle for a violation of the seat belt law in the absence of another traffic violation. However, the law becomes primary for persons 17 and younger. An officer may stop a vehicle and issue a citation when he observes an occupant 17 or younger who is not wearing a seat belt or secured in a child safety seat. For more information or answers to questions, contact:
Auto Safety Information
888-DASH-2-DOT
www.nhtsa.dot.gov
South Carolina Highway Patrol
803-896-7920
www.schp.org
Port of Charleston
Serving as a magnet for new and expanding businesses, the port is often considered the number one economic development asset for the Greater Charleston region. Ranking first among container cargo ports on the Southeast and Gulf coasts, the Port of Charleston is the fourth largest container port in the nation. Only Long Beach and Los Angeles in California and New York/New Jersey handle more containers each year. More than 280,000 statewide jobs relate to the port, with 55,000 of these in the Charleston area. The port serves more than 150 countries around the world and generates nearly $40 billion in revenue for South Carolina. The Port of Charleston is not only a vital transportation amenity but links the Charleston metro business community with the international marketplace. For more information, contact:
Port of Charleston
Charleston
843-723-8651
800-845-7106
www.port-of-charleston.com
U.S. Coast Guard Contacts
Marine Safety Office
843-724-7683
Search/Rescue
843-724-7616
Boating Safety
843-762-5041