More responsible adults can now sign on behalf of minors at the DMV
Blythewood, SC – Governor Henry McMaster’s signature on Senate Bill 198 amends South Carolina Code Section 56-1-100 to allow for a broader list of responsible adults to sign a beginner’s permit, driver’s license, or identification card application on behalf of a minor.
“I want to thank the Legislature for broadening the scope of customers we will be able to easily support when applying for driver’s licenses,” said Kevin Shwedo, Executive Director of the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). “Few things at the DMV are more difficult than turning down a young adult because the law failed to acknowledge the guardian status of someone with custodial care. We’re excited to serve these young adults at the DMV once they’re prepared and ready!”
The language of the old law specified that only a parent or guardian of a child could authorize the child to get his or her beginner’s permit, license, or ID. This proved particularly problematic for children in non-traditional family settings, especially those who were under the supervision of the SC Department of Social Services (DSS).
Department of Social Services Director Susan Alford said, “As of this month, there are 916 children between the ages of 15-18 in foster care. The passage of S.198 ensures that children in foster care can experience the normal rites of passage that mark their development to adulthood, as well as develop skills critical to independent living. We appreciate the support of Governor McMaster, Sen. Shealy, Rep. Thayer and the General Assembly to provide normalcy for children in care.”
Rep. Anne Thayer and Sen. Katrina Shealy, working with staff from both DSS and the DMV, pre-filed bills for this legislative session to address the issue. The bills were met with overwhelming support on both the House and Senate floors.
“This new law provides a great opportunity to give children in foster care, those living in group homes, and many un-emancipated minors the same opportunities as others,” said Sen. Katrina Shealy. “S.198 eliminated what was yet another way these children were singled out. Now, they can more easily get licenses and beginner’s permits like other young adults in this state.
“Children in the foster care system already face so many obstacles,” said Rep. Anne Thayer. “I applaud the DMV and DSS for working together on a solution that makes life easier for these children.”
All 67 DMV branches will begin accepting the signatures from the expanded list of authorized adults on Monday, April 24, 2017. If you’re signing on behalf of a minor, you must present a picture ID, select your relationship to the child (on the appropriate DMV form), bring your DSS approval letter (if applicable), and complete the Consent for Minor section of the Application for a Beginner’s Permit, Driver’s License, or Identification Card (SCDMV Form 447-NC).
You may check wait times at scdmvonline.com. The wait times you see online show customers who have checked in with a greeter and received a ticket number. You may follow the agency on Facebook, @SCDMV, and Twitter, @SC_DMV for updates.