1. Know the risks.

The first step to protecting your home is to know the risks. Tornadoes can happen anywhere, but they are more common in certain areas. If you live in a tornado-prone area, it’s important to be aware of the risks and take steps to protect your home.

2. Make a plan.

Once you know the risks, you need to make a plan for what you will do if a tornado strikes. This plan should include where you will go to take shelter, how you will get there, and what you will do with your pets.

3. Secure your home.

There are a number of things you can do to secure your home from a tornado. These include:

• Trim trees and shrubs away from your home.
• Install storm shutters or plywood over your windows.
• Secure loose items in your yard, such as patio furniture and garbage cans.
• Bring outdoor furniture and other objects indoors.
• Check the integrity of your roof and foundation.

4. Have an emergency kit.

An emergency kit is essential for staying safe during a tornado. Your kit should include food, water, first-aid supplies, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, and a whistle.

5. Stay informed.

It’s important to stay informed about the weather conditions in your area. You can do this by listening to the radio or watching the news. If a tornado warning is issued, take shelter immediately.

By following these tips, you can help protect your home from damage in the event of a tornado. Remember, tornadoes can strike quickly and without warning, so it’s important to be prepared.

Here are some additional tips for protecting your home in a tornado:

• If you have a basement, this is the safest place to be during a tornado.
• If you don’t have a basement, go to the lowest level of your home and find an interior room without windows.
• Get under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a table or desk.
• Cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• If you are outside, find a ditch or other low-lying area and lie face down.

Remember, the most important thing is to stay calm and take shelter as soon as possible.

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New South Carolina driver’s licenses and identification cards, some of which are compliant with REAL ID, are available for purchase. The new cards are valid for no more than eight years.

A REAL ID will be your license or your ID. You are not issued separate cards. Either you will hold a REAL ID license, REAL ID ID (no driving privileges), standard license that says “Not for Federal Identification,” or a standard ID (no driving privileges) that says “Not for Federal Identification.” A gold star on your license or ID designates it as a REAL ID.

Regardless of whether you buy a REAL ID or not, you must still have an unexpired US Passport to travel internationally.

Buy my REAL ID license online

You may be able to purchase your REAL ID driver’s license online if the required documents are on file with the SCDMV, and you have visited an SC-licensed eye care professional who electronically transmitted a passing Certificate of Vision Examination. Not everyone is eligible for purchasing their REAL ID license online. Click the green button below to see if you’re eligible.

• If you’re eligible, you’ll be taken through a series of questions and see an option to buy a REAL ID license. If able to order and purchase your REAL ID license online, it may take up to fifteen business days to arrive at the address on file.
• If you do not see an option to buy, you are not eligible for purchasing your REAL ID license online and must visit an SCDMV branch with the correct documents. 

DOCUMENT CHECK AND BUY MY REAL ID LICENSE
REAL ID commercial driver’s licenses, and licenses for international customers are not available online (more information below).

BUY MY REAL ID LICENSE 

Buy my REAL ID in person

You should only visit an SCDMV branch to buy a REAL ID if you’re ineligible for online ordering, or if you prefer to take the vision screening test in a branch office instead of visiting a licensed eye care professional to pass a vision examination.

If you’re visiting a branch to change your card to a REAL ID, you must have the correct documentation with you to do so if the documents are not already on file with the DMV. Use the SCDMV’s ‘Sweet Caroline’ application to confirm you have all required documents before purchasing your REAL ID. You must also pass a vision screening test in the branch office, or pass a vision examination with a licensed eye care professional.  

Documents needed to buy a REAL ID

If you have a valid US Passport/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. You must have original or government-issued copies of all documents. The SCDMV will not accept copied or scanned versions. 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
  • Examples:  Government-issued birth certificate or unexpired US Passport
• Social Security Number  
• Two Proofs of Current, Physical SC Address
  • Examples:  Current, unexpired South Carolina driver’s license or identification card and a no more than 90-day-old utility bill with the same name and address
    View a complete list of all accepted address documents on the United States Citizens’ Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-93).
• Proof of all Legal Name Changes
  • Examples:  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 US Passport or US 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 do not have your current license, you will need to provide a driving record from that state as proof of driving. 

If you are a Veteran who has honorably served in the country’s armed services, please bring your Discharge Certificate (DOD Form DD-214) that shows you were honorably discharged to add the “Veteran” designation to your driver’s license or identification card.

Do you belong to a group that may find the SCDMV’s REAL ID brochure helpful? Download a copy now.

CDL Holders

Changing your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to a REAL ID CDL works the same as if you were renewing your CDL. You may visit an SCDMV branch to purchase a REAL ID CDL as long as you have all required documents listed above. 

In addition to the documents above, bring your current CDL to turn in, and your Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) medical qualification certificate, if applicable. You must also acknowledge the FMCSA regulations, complete the CDL Holder’s Medical Certification (SCDMV Form DL-405A), pass a vision test, pay the $15 application fee, and pay $25 for the new REAL ID CDL. The REAL ID CDL is valid for eight years unless you have a hazmat endorsement, which is valid for no more than five years and costs $15. 

ID Holders

If you have an identification card, you may visit an SCDMV branch to change your card to a REAL ID identification card as long as you have all required documents listed above.

If you’re 5 to 16 years old, your ID is $15. If you’re 17 or older, your ID is free. If you have an ID you do not have driving privileges and cannot drive a vehicle.

International Customers

The requirements for international customers to buy a REAL ID are different than what’s above.

In addition to all of the required documents above, you must provide proof of your authorized length of stay within the US. If you’re interested in the documentation requirements for international customers, see the International Customers’ Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-94).

International customers must visit an SCDMV branch that completes international customer transactions. If you’re eligible for a license or ID, you will receive a card that is valid for the same length of time as your authorized length of stay in the US, but it will not be valid for more than five years.

It is optional to change to a REAL ID

If you have a valid US Passport, military ID, or another federal identification that’s accepted to pass airport security, you may use this instead of changing your SC license or ID to a REAL ID.  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.  However, if you suddenly need to fly on or after May 3, 2023 and you do not have a valid US Passport, military ID, or another federally approved identification, you will need a REAL ID in order to board a domestic or commercial flight.

 *You must have a reason to visit a military installation, and, even with a REAL ID, you may be subject to additional visitor control measures once on site.

You do not 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’re entitled (Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, etc.)
• Enter a federal facility that does not require an ID (i.e. a post office)
• Access a hospital or receive life-saving services
• Participate in law enforcement proceedings or investigations (serve on a federal jury, testify in federal court, etc.)

South Carolina’s Status

The US Department of Homeland Security has deemed South Carolina as fully compliant with all provisions set forth in the REAL ID Act of 2005. Federal agencies may continue to accept, for official purposes, all unexpired SC driver’s licenses and identification cards between now and May 2, 2023.

On and after May 3, 2023, your South Carolina license or ID must be a REAL ID with a gold star, or you must show another federally approved identification, such as an unexpired US Passport or military ID, to board a domestic, commercial flight, enter a secure federal building, or visit a military installation*.

 *You must have a reason to visit a military installation, and, even with a REAL ID, you may be subject to additional visitor control measures once on site. 

About REAL ID

The US Congress passed the REAL ID Act of 2005 as a result of the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation to standardize government-issued identifications, like driver’s licenses. This is a federal law that affects federal agencies, federal buildings, and military bases. A REAL ID license is valid for no more than eight years.

If you have a question about a specific entity you’re visiting and what its identification requirements are, you should contact that facility directly and ask if you must have a REAL ID to enter.

The SCDMV will continuously release information regarding the status of REAL ID as it’s confirmed. Follow the agency on Twitter, @SC_DMV, and Facebook, @SCDMV. You may email questions to the SCDMV.

Department of Defense

While the Department of Homeland Security is the agency governing the implementation of REAL ID for commercial flights and secure federal buildings, the Department of Defense may choose to implement REAL ID at a different timeline for military installations. Not only must you have a reason to visit a military installation, you may also be subject to additional visitor control measures once on site even if you have a REAL ID. Also, military installations can determine what to accept and not accept as valid identification. If you have a question about whether or not your identification will get you on a military installation, contact the military installation.