South Carolina § 56-1-20 - Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses.
Full text of South Carolina South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-1-20 — Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 56-1-20. Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses.
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.
HISTORY: 1962 Code SECTION 46-152; 1952 Code SECTION 46-152; 1942 Code SECTION 5983; 1932 Code SECTION 5983; 1930 (36) 1057; 1959 (51) 421; 2023 Act No. 51 (S.549), SECTION 37, eff May 18, 2023.
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.
Source: official South Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina § 56-1-20
What does South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-1-20 cover?
Section 56-1-20 ("Driver's license required; surrender and disposition of out-of-state licenses; local licenses.") is part of the South Carolina Code of Laws, the codified statutory law of South Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite South Carolina § 56-1-20?
A common citation format is "South Carolina Code of Laws § 56-1-20" (South Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of South Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the South Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
How does South Carolina § 56-1-20 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in South Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in South Carolina.