The S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles on Tuesday unveiled new designs for the state's updated driver's licenses and ID cards, which will include stronger security measures and well-known state symbols.
The updated cards, out this fall, will highlight "South Carolina’s heritage and natural beauty" with images that included the Statehouse, the Palmetto Tree and crescent from the state flag, the state DMV said. The cards will also highlight the state flower Yellow Jessamine, the state bird Carolina Wren, and state reptile, the Loggerhead Sea Turtle.
The DMV said the cards will also include new security features that will protect against identify theft and counterfeiting.
“These new licenses and ID cards showcase the Palmetto State while providing citizens with greater protection against becoming victims of identity fraud,” said Kevin Shwedo, SCDMV's executive director. “We hope that South Carolinians will look on these new designs with pride and confidence.”
Greg Peccie, the vice president of Animal Care at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, said in a news release that the inclusion of South Carolina's native species is a "powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect the remarkable wildlife that calls South Carolina home.”
The DMV is also changing how S.C. residents get their driver's license and ID card.
Residents can still visit DMV locations in person to apply, test and hand over documents.
But, instead of getting a driver's license or ID card on site, residents will now get a temporary certification, and the driver's license or ID card will be mailed in seven to 15 business days.
The temporary certificates will be valid for up to 30 days, and can be used for driving, voting and identification where accepted.
Expiring cards will be returned with a hole punch and can still be used as a photo ID, where accepted, until the new card arrives. A QR code on the temporary certificate will let someone track the status of their new card through production and mailing.
The DMV said the agency will start piloting the new cards in late August at two Midlands locations: Columbia on Shop Road and Lexington.
A statewide rollout is expected later this fall.
In its release, DMV stressed that:
- No action is required for current cardholders, and all currently issued South Carolina licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their listed expiration dates.
- It applies to all South Carolina licenses types. The new card design applies to all current types and classes of South Carolina licenses and ID cards, which will still be offered as both REAL ID compliant cards and Not For Federal Use (non-REAL ID compliant) cards.
- Residents shouldn't wait until the last minute to get the new license, and allow time for mail delivery when renewing. Renewal notices will be sent to drivers by mail 90 days prior to the expiration of their current card to help with timely renewal and customers can continue to renew their license or identification card online if eligible.
- There will be no price change. The cost of new licenses and ID cards will stay the same.
For more information, go to scdmvonline.com.