# S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-20: SECTION 56-1-20. Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses

> South Carolina · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-20

## Section

- **Citation:** S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-20
- **Heading:** SECTION 56-1-20. Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses
- **Jurisdiction:** South Carolina
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** SC Code / Title 56 / Chapter 1 / Article 1 / Section 56-1-20

## Text

No person, except those expressly exempted in this article shall drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this State unless such person has a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued to him under the provisions of this article. No person shall receive a motor vehicle driver's license unless and until he surrenders to the Department of Motor Vehicles all valid operators' licenses in his possession issued to him by any other state within forty-five days of becoming a resident of this State, unless specifically exempted by law. All surrendered licenses shall be returned by the department to the issuing department, agency, or political subdivision. No person shall be permitted to have more than one valid motor vehicle driver's license or operator's license at any time. Any person holding a currently valid motor vehicle driver's license issued under this article may exercise the privilege thereby granted upon all streets and highways in the State and shall not be required to obtain any other license to exercise such privilege by any county, municipal, or local board or body having authority to adopt local police regulations; provided, however, that this provision shall not serve to prevent a county, municipal, or local board from requiring persons to obtain additional licenses to operate taxis, buses, or other public conveyances. Editor's Note 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 40(F), provides as follows: "[SECTION 40.](F) The remaining SECTIONS of this act, and Sections 56-3-214(A), 56-3-214(B)(1), 56-3-214(B)(2), 56-3-214(B)(3), 56-3-214(G), 56-1-20, 56-23-40, 56-23-60, and 56-23-105 take effect upon approval by the Governor." Effect of Amendment 2023 Act No. 51, SECTION 37, in the first undesignated paragraph, in the second sentence, inserted "within forty-five days of becoming a resident of this State, unless specifically exempted by law", and made nonsubstantive changes.

## Nearby sections

- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-5 SECTION 56-1-5. Department of Motor Vehicles Established; transfer of power from the Department of Public Safety; appointment, powers, and duties of the Executive Director; independent review.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-5.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-10 SECTION 56-1-10. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-10.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-15 SECTION 56-1-15. Administration of driver's license examination; random testing of driver's license applicants; contractor's failure to conform to licensing laws.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-15.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-20 SECTION 56-1-20. Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-20.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-25 SECTION 56-1-25. Disclosure of confidential information during transfer of power to Department of Motor Vehicles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-25.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-30 SECTION 56-1-30. Persons exempt from licensing requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-30.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-35 SECTION 56-1-35. Driver's license for members of the armed services and dependents.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-35.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-40 SECTION 56-1-40. Persons who may not be licensed or have their license renewed; beginner's permit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-40.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-50 SECTION 56-1-50. Beginner's permit; hours and conditions of vehicle operation; renewal and fee; driver's training course; eligibility for full licensure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-50.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-70 SECTION 56-1-70. Temporary driver's permit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-70.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-80 SECTION 56-1-80. Application for license or permit.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-80.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-85 SECTION 56-1-85. REAL ID Act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-85.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-87 SECTION 56-1-87. REAL ID card issuance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-87.md)
- [S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-90 SECTION 56-1-90. Evidence required to obtain a driver's license or identification card.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-90.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-20. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.