Motor Vehicles

State laws vary when it comes to motor vehicle insurance requirements, licensing and registration. The term "vehicle" generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Visit the USA.gov Motor Vehicle Services page for links to state-specific websites.

South Carolina state law requires sufficient automobile liability insurance under a company licensed to do business in the state and a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle. Although you're in the military, your vehicle must also be properly registered in the state.

Service members and dependents temporarily stationed in South Carolina aren't required to obtain a South Carolina driver's license if this isn't their home state. However, to drive in this state, you must have a valid license from your home state. If you're an active-duty service member, dependent or Defense Department employee stationed outside of South Carolina due to military orders, you must renew your South Carolina driver's license online.

Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information on insurance, licensing and registration.

Citations issued for traffic and moving violations on post are handled through the U.S. Magistrate Court. An offender can either pay their fine or go before a Magistrate for resolution of the violation.

Within the city of Columbia and on Fort Jackson,the speed limit is 30mph, unless otherwise posted. Right turns on red are permitted, and speed limits on interstate and other highways are strictly enforced. Additionally, state law mandates that when windshield wipers are in use, headlights must also be turned on.

Fort Jackson military police enforce all traffic and on-post violations. Parking is not allowed on grass areas and in reserved parking lots on the installation. Citations are given for vehicles playing loud music on post. Music should not be heard at a distance of more than 125 feet (42 yards). Fort Jackson Regulation 385-10 requires all personnel riding bicycles on the installation to wear an approved bicycle safety helmet.

Seatbelts and Child Restraints

South Carolina has a compulsory seatbelt law, which also applies when driving on Fort Jackson. Additionally, children ages 4 and under traveling in a vehicle's front seat must be secured in restraining devices approved by the National Safety Products Council. Children ages 5 and under traveling in the back seat must  be in a restraint. Children 6 years and older traveling in the back seat must wear seatbelts.

Fort Jackson is a hands-free installation; violators will be cited.

REAL ID Card

Beginning May 7, 2025, if you have a card that says “Not for Federal Identification” or does not have a star, you cannot use this card as identification to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a secure federal facility or visit a military installation. An unexpired passport is still required to travel internationally.

You don't need a REAL ID driver's license or identification card to do any of the following:

• Drive
• Vote
• Apply for or receive federal benefits for which you are entitled (e.g. Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, etc.)
• Enter a federal facility that does not require an ID (e.g. a post office)
• Access a hospital or receive life-saving services
• Participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations (e.g. serve on a federal jury, testify in federal court, etc.)

If you have a valid United States passport, military ID or other federal identification that's accepted to pass airport security, you may use it instead of changing your South Carolina license or ID to a REAL ID.

Documents Needed for a REAL ID

If you have a valid United States passport or passport card with your current legal name that matches the information on file with the Social Security Administration and is also the name listed on your two proofs of physical South Carolina address, you have what is needed to purchase a REAL ID.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles will not accept copied or scanned versions of these documents. You can find a complete list of accepted documents on the United States Citizens' Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-93).

Here are examples of acceptable documents as well as what is needed if you have had a legal name change.

• Proof of identity
  • Government-issued birth certificate or unexpired United States passport/passport card
• Two proofs of current, physical South Carolina address
  • Current, unexpired South Carolina driver's license or identification card and a utility bill with the same name and address

View a complete list of all accepted address documents on the SCDMV website.

• Proof of legal name
  • Marriage license, divorce decree or court order issued by your county's probate or family court

You must show a complete name change history that links your birth certificate name to your present day name. If you have a valid passport or passport card with your current, legal name, you may use that as your name change document.

If you are moving to South Carolina from out-of-state and don't have your current license, you must provide a driving record from that state as proof of driving.

If you're a veteran who has honorably served in the country's armed services, you may bring your Discharge Certificate (DD-214) that shows you were honorably discharged to add the "Veteran" designation to your driver's license or identification card.

Visit the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle website to get more information.

State and local laws regulate the operation of motor vehicles and these laws can vary by location. Many states regulate the following:

• Seatbelt use
• Child safety seats
• Motorcycle operation
• The use of cellphones and other digital devices while driving

Learn more about motor vehicle laws in your state at the Distraction.gov State Laws page.

You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving. You will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires all children under five years of age be properly restrained in child seats. Some states also require younger, smaller children to sit in the back seat.

Motorcycles and their operators are subject to special laws. If you own and operate a motorcycle, you must comply with those laws. Visit the State Department of Motor Vehicles website for more information.

Many states and local jurisdictions have strict laws about the use of cell phones and other digital devices while driving. Research these laws on the State Department of Motor Vehicles website. Tickets will be issued and fines assessed for violating these laws. Play it safe and always use a “hands-free” device if you must use a cell phone or other PDA while driving. Hands-free devices must be used while operating a motor vehicle on all military installations worldwide.