South Carolina has launched an experimental program that allows people to make appointments to take their driver license tests.
The program is being tried at 12 offices across the state, including Lancaster. The other offices are continuing with their walk-in format.
The program began last week and offers appointments from 2-4:30 p.m. weekdays.
“Road tests are the most time-consuming transactions in our offices, and during the summer months, the number of road test applicants easily triples,” Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Director Kevin Shwedo said. “This change is one of several initiatives we are working on that will reduce any potential office wait times created by the student summer surge.”
North Carolina offers appointments at all its offices.
In the new S.C. plan, people can make appointments by calling a participating office and leaving a message with their names and phone numbers. DMV staff members will return the call within one business day, officials say.
Participating offices will handle only appointments from 2-4:30 p.m., unless someone with an appointment cancels or is more than 10 minutes late. Then walk-in customers will be taken.
The Lancaster office is at 1694 Pageland Highway and can be reached at (803) 286-4859.
Other participating offices are in Beaufort; Charleston (Leeds Avenue and Lockwood Boulevard); Columbia (Shop Road); Florence (East Palmetto Street); Fountain Inn; Greenville (Saluda Dam Road); Greer; Ladson; Myrtle Beach (21st Avenue North); and Spartanburg (Fairforest Road).
