# S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-30: SECTION 56-1-30. Persons exempt from licensing requirements > South Carolina · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-30 ## Section - **Citation:** S.C. Code Ann. § 56-1-30 - **Heading:** SECTION 56-1-30. Persons exempt from licensing requirements - **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 56-1-30 ## Text The following persons are exempt from licenses under this chapter: (1) Any employee of the United States Government while operating a motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States Government and being operated on official business, unless the employee is required by the United States Government or the Federal agency by which he is employed to have a state driver's license; (2) A nonresident who is at least sixteen years of age and who has in his immediate possession a valid operator's or chauffeur's license issued to him in his home state or country may operate a motor vehicle, but a person may not claim nonresidence exemption under this provision who does not maintain a permanent residence address in the state or country of which he holds a valid and current operator's or chauffeur's license at which he regularly receives his mail and which address is on file with the motor vehicle authorities of that state or country; also, a person may not claim nonresidence exemption under this provision who for all other intents and purposes has or may remove his residence into this State; (3) Any nonresident who is at least eighteen years of age and whose home state or country does not require the licensing of operators may operate a motor vehicle for a period of not more than ninety days in any calendar year, if the motor vehicle is duly registered in the home state or country of the nonresident and a nonresident on active duty in the Armed Services of the United States who has a valid license issued by his home state and the nonresident's spouse or dependent who has a valid license issued by his home state; (4) A person operating or driving implements of husbandry temporarily drawn, propelled, or moved upon a highway. Implements of husbandry include, but are not limited to, farm machinery and farm equipment other than a passenger car. (5) Any person on active duty in the Armed Services of the United States who has in his immediate possession a valid driver's license issued in a foreign country or by the Armed Services of the United States may operate a motor vehicle in this State for a period of not more than ninety days from the date of his return to the United States; and (6) A citizen of a foreign jurisdiction whose licensing procedure is at least as strict as South Carolina's, as determined by the Department of Motor Vehicles, who is at least eighteen years of age, who is employed in South Carolina, and who has a valid driver's license issued by that jurisdiction may drive in this State for five years if the foreign jurisdiction provides a reciprocal arrangement for South Carolina residents. The provisions of this item also shall apply to the dependents of foreign nationals who qualify under this section. Effect of Amendment 2017 Act No. 89, SECTION 2, in the introductory paragraph, substituted "chapter" for "article"; in (1), substituted "state" for "State"; and made a nonsubstantive change. ## 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) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_SC_T56_C1_A1_S56-1-30. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.