A bill

 

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-1-70, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY DRIVERS' PERMITS, SO AS TO DELETE THE TERM "TEMPORARY DRIVER'S PERMIT" AND REPLACE IT WITH THE TERM "TEMPORARY DRIVING CERTIFICATE," AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES; AND BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-560 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPEDITED ISSUANCE OF BEGINNERS' PERMITS, DRIVERS' LICENSES, AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  Section 56-1-70 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

 

    Section 56-1-70. The Department of Motor Vehicles may, in its discretion, may issue a temporary driver's permit driving certificate to an applicant for a motor vehicle driver's license permitting him to operate a motor vehicle while the Department department is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to such applicant's right to receive a driver's license.  Such permit must be in his immediate possession while operating a motor vehicle, and it shall be invalid when the applicant's license has been issued or for good cause has been refused. The department, in its discretion, may issue a temporary identification certificate to an applicant while the department is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to the applicant's ability to hold an identification card issued pursuant to this title.

 

SECTION 2.  Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 56 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

 

    Section 56-1-560.  The Department of Motor Vehicles, in its sole discretion, may approve a request to expedite the production and mailing of a beginner's permit, driver's license, or identification card if it deems the circumstances warranted. The department shall collect an additional fee of ninety dollars for each expedited beginner's permit, driver's license, or identification card. This fee is in addition to the other fees prescribed in this chapter. Upon payment of this fee, the department, or its authorized agent, shall produce and mail the beginner's permit, driver's license, or identification card in the most expeditious manner once it is produced. The funds collected pursuant to this section must be retained by the department and used to offset costs of the production and mailing of beginners' permits, drivers' licenses, and identification cards. The department shall conduct a quadrennial review of this fee to ensure it is sufficient, but not excessive to cover expenses including the total of the direct and indirect costs to the State for providing this service and shall present its findings to the General Assembly, to include any recommendations to adjust the amount of the fee. Findings may be included in the department's annual accountability report.

 

SECTION 3.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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