Latest news with #SCDMV
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles warns against new text scams
The Department of Motor Vehicles warned there's been a rise in scammers pretending to be workers who threaten South Carolinians with prison time if they don't pay a ticket violation. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles said residents should be aware of scam text messages about unpaid ticket violations. The department does not send texts to collect unpaid tickets or tolls. 'Don't let a fake text redirect you or your money elsewhere,' the department said in a statement. Their only legitimate webpage is This isn't the first scam people have used while pretending to be the SCDMV. Weeks ago, text messages were sent asking drivers to pay outstanding toll fees to the DMV with a false link. The DMV put out a message then saying that they don't collect toll fees or send messages via text. The department advises people to monitor their bank and credit card accounts to watch for fraud. If people see the text, delete it and report it to your mobile carrier by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM). The link inserted into the text could be malicious. The DMV said the texts are part of a nationwide trend and can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles warns against text scams
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Charleston International Airport prepares to enforce REAL ID, deadline May 7
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The REAL ID deadline is May 7, and Charleston International Airport is preparing to enforce it. Long lines and wait times could be seen across South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) locations as residents hoped to beat the rush of the deadline. Those who are flying, visiting a military base, or entering a federal building after Wednesday must have a compliant form of identification. On May 6, South Carolina airports will begin a 'soft approach' on REAL IDs. You'll need a REAL ID to fly in 2025. Here's how to get one in South Carolina 'The foremost thing is to hopefully come to the checkpoint being compliant. The good way to check your driver's license is to look for a gold star in the upper right-hand corner,' David McMahon, federal security director for TSA, said. 'For us here in Charleston, most of our residents here are REAL ID compliant. We do have a small population, about 20% that we're unsure of, but it's truly our tourists that are coming in and out of the city that are visiting us. That are coming from locations that may not be REAL ID.' The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not anticipate wait times. However, officials said those who do not have a REAL ID can expect to face a delay with additional screening. After May 7, you are still able to fly if you bring a passport, passport card, military ID, or accepted federal documents. 'We're going to work here in Charleston to identify the PreCheck passengers before they get into line, and we will divert them over to a secondary line at the point,' McMahon said. 'For our standard passengers, they're going to go through the screening process, and they will be interacted with just going to the ticket document checker. At which time, they will identify whether they're REAL ID and if not, they will be diverted into a secondary line for additional screening.' Airport officials said they will adjust as needed since the first days of enforcement are typically slower. Though they advise travelers to give themselves extra time with the busy summer travel season approaching. 'We monitor our top ten busiest days of all time. So far, this year, we have five of the top ten days over the month of April and part of March. So, what we're seeing is even beyond spring break, we are seeing an increase of travelers departing on Sundays and Mondays. If you plan on flying even the following Sunday and Monday, give yourself some extra time if you're non-compliant with your REAL ID because it will take you a little longer in that nature,' said McMahon. The SCDMV will still issue REAL IDs after the May 7 deadline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
What travelers need to know as real ID deadline nears
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – The countdown is on – real ID enforcement is officially one week away. Starting May 7th, South Carolinians and Georgians will need an updated ID to fly domestically or access federal buildings. While Georgia is nearly fully compliant, many South Carolina residents scramble to catch up. A gold or black star on your driver's license means you're ready to fly. But if you don't see it on the top right-hand corner… don't wait! The federal real ID enforcement deadline is just one week away, and millions across the southeast still need to get up to speed. The Real ID Act was passed after 9/11 to boost national security, but its enforcement was delayed—until now. Starting May 7, 2025, the TSA will require a real ID or another accepted form, like a passport or military ID, for domestic flights and federal buildings. Georgia is nearly 100% compliant, but in South Carolina, nearly 1 million residents, or 38 percent, still don't have theirs. The DMV says wait times are around 20 minutes, and coming prepared with the right documents helps. For quicker service, you can go on a Tuesday or Thursday. Without a real ID, you could miss your flight or be turned away at secure locations. 'We will continue to be issuing real IDs as we have since 2018. People can come and see us after the deadline in May or June, and we can still get them turned around and they'll be taken care of. We are more busier than usual at SCDMV of the offices right now,' shared Mike Fitts, the Public Information Officer for the South Carolina DMV. South Carolinians can visit any DMV or use the Sweet Caroline app, while Georgians should head to a DDS Center – just make sure to bring proof of identity, your social security number, and two documents showing your current address. Fast facts on where to go: Deadline: May 7 — required for domestic flights and federal building access. Where to get it: South Carolina – any SCDMV, Georgia – can visit any DDS location. What you'll need: proof of identity (like a birth certificate or passport), social security number, and two proofs of residency (like utility bills or a lease). There's still time, but the clock's ticking – so check your ID now and plan that DMV visit!A real ID isn't legally required, but it'll make travel much easier down the road. This will keep your summer travel stress-free. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SCDMV fixes computer glitch that blocked voter registration for thousands of teenagers
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) — The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) confirmed Monday it has fixed a computer glitch that caused thousands of teenagers' voter registration not to be processed ahead of last November's election. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued the SCDMV weeks before the Nov. 5 general election, alleging that the agency unlawfully denied thousands of first-time voters the opportunity to register to vote. They claimed more than 17,000 South Carolinians who were 17 when they attempted to register but would have reached legal voting age by Election Day were impacted. According to the State Election Commission, the SCDMV system was unable to send applications automatically to the election office for individuals who were not yet 18 when the application was completed. Though DMV employees are trained to inform individuals within that age group that the registration application will not go through the state election office and to use an alternate method, some prospective voters were not notified. SC Senate committee discusses vaccine bill The ACLU argued those individuals should have been added to the state's voter rolls as guaranteed by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which requires certain government agencies that provide public assistance to offer voter registration services. A circuit court judge ultimately denied the ACLU's motion, refusing to reopen voter registration for the 1,900 affected teens. But that wasn't the end of it. The ACLU, South Carolina League of Women Voters, and SC NAACP wrote a letter to the SCDMV on March 26, threatening legal action if the agency failed to 'swiftly fix' the issue. The agency responded the next day, indicating that it had resolved the glitch so that its system would now send voter registration information for individuals 16 years and older to the State Election Commission. 'I am proud of our advocacy and thankful to the DMV for agreeing to fix the system without additional litigation,' said Allen Chaney, Legal Director of ACLU of South Carolina. 'I remain frustrated, however, that state officials fought so mightily against DMV fixing this issue sooner.' In a statement to News 2, an SCDMV spokesperson said the agency would 'continue to work proactively' with the State Election Commission to ensure federal requirements are followed. 'We appreciate the efforts made by SCDMV to ensure compliance with federal and state law, and we look forward to working closely with county election offices to ensure these applications are processed in a timely and accurate manner,' a State Election Commission spokesperson said in a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
The deadline to get a REAL ID in SC is soon, but do you need one? Here's what to know
If you want a South Carolina REAL ID for U.S. domestic travel, you have about two months to get it. The federal identification requirements begin May 7, 2025, in South Carolina. Residents will need the identification card after that date if they want to fly in the U.S., visit some secure federal buildings, or military installations. 'The time for waiting on Real ID is over,' Kevin Shwedo, executive director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, said in a recent press release. 'As the deadline comes, we expect there to be more demand to get in compliance. We encourage citizens to act now on getting their Real ID.' The U.S. Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005 in response to the 9/11 Commission's recommendation to standardize government-issued identifications, such as driver's licenses. The deadline for when the card was to take effect has been delayed several times over the years, most recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic and from DMV backlogs caused by those delays. Here's what you need to know about obtaining a South Carolina REAL ID before the deadline: To apply for a South Carolina REAL ID, take the following steps: Have proof of identification According to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, you must have original or government-issued copies of all documents proving identity, such as a birth certificate or unexpired U.S. Passport, two proofs of your current physical South Carolina address, your social security number, and proof of legal name changes, if applicable. For a full list of accepted documents, click here. Purchasing SC Real ID Most regular South Carolina licenses cost $25, whether it is a REAL ID marked with a gold star or a card that says 'not for federal identification.' Identification cards are free for people who are 17 years old or older, regardless of whether the ID card is REAL ID or not. ID cards for those 16 years old or younger cost $15. South Carolinians who have received their first license since November 2010 should check to see if they're eligible to purchase a REAL ID online at home. To see if you're eligible for online purchase, click here. If you are not eligible for online purchase, bring the relevant documents and visit a SCDMV branch. To find your nearest branch, click here. 'If you do not think you have a need to fly, enter a federal building, or visit a military installation, you do not need a REAL ID,' the SCDMV states. Regardless of having a REAL ID, you'll still need an unexpired passport to fly internationally. You also do not need a REAL ID to do any of the following: Drive Vote Apply for or receive federal benefits Enter a federal building that does not require ID, like a post office Access a hospital
