DRIVING
Steps to Obtaining a S.C. Driver's License
- For any new residents of South Carolina, an out-of-state driver's license is valid for 90 days after moving.
- During new residents' first 90 days in the state, they may turn licenses into the S.C. Division of Motor Vehicles /Department of Revenue and Taxation and qualify for S.C. licenses by passing a written test and paying a $20 fee.
- Military personnel may continue using a current driver's license and license plates from their home state as long as they are valid.
- New residents who pass the written exam are not required to take a road test.
- S.C. issues both five-year and 10-year licenses. 10-year licenses cost $25 and are issued to those that visit a DMV branch to obtain an original or renewal license. Five-year licenses cost $12.50 and are issued to those 65-years old or older and those that apply for a renewal license on-line.
Steps to Auto Registration and Obtaining License Plates
- Before registering an automobile in South Carolina, a paid tax receipt for that vehicle must be shown to the
Division of Motor Vehicles. The receipt must bear the name of the person applying for the vehicle registration.
- New residents have 45 days to transfer vehicle title and registration.
- The fee to register a private passenger vehicle is $24 and can be obtained through the mail for an additional $1 charge. Title is $15.
- In order to complete your vehicle registration, you must also present a title, proof of liability insurance coverage, and any vehicle property tax payment receipt to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
The Rules of the Road -Traffic Regulations:
- South Carolina utilizes a point system to penalize traffic law violators. This system is designed to encourage violators to improve driving habits or risk losing their license. Each traffic violation carries an assigned number of points, and when the total reaches a maximum of 12, the driver's license is suspended.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carry severe penalties, including imprisonment.
- In South Carolina, if windshield wipers are being used because of weather conditions, then headlights must be used as well.
- Seat belts are required for the driver and front seat and back seat passengers when the vehicle is equipped with a shoulder harness in addition to a lap belt.
- State law mandates the use of child safety seats that meets National Safety Commission standards (buses are the only exception). Children under the age of six must be restrained in the front or back seat as provided by S.C.'s child restraint law.
GOVERNMENT
State Government
- State capital is Columbia, located approximately 60 miles northeast of Aiken.
- South Carolina is governed under a constitution ratified in 1895.
State legislators and members of the state's executive branch can be contacted by calling the following numbers:
| Governor | 803-734-2100 |
| Lt. Governor | 803-734-2080 |
| State Senate | 803-734-2080 |
| House of Representatives | 803-734-2402 |
Aiken County
Phone: (803) 642-2012
Location: 828 Richland Avenue, W, Aiken, SC 29801
Website: www.aikencountysc.gov
The County is governed by the County Council, comprised of an elected-at-large Council Chairman and 8 members elected from single-member districts
- Council-administrator form of government.
- Council members are elected at large to four-year terms.
- A county administrator is appointed by the county council to manage the day-to-day activities of the county.
City of Aiken
Phone: (803) 642-7654
Location: 214 Park Avenue, SW, Aiken, SC 29801
Website: www.aiken.net
The City of Aiken operates under the Council-Manager form of government. Under the Council-Manager Plan, the City Council serves as the Board of Directors for the city, with the Mayor acting as Chief Executive Officer. City Council sets policy guiding the city's growth, development, and future. The City Manager serves as the Chief Administrative Officer, much like the President of a corporation. Under this role, the City Manager is responsible for daily operations, including hiring and firing of all employees, as well as the efficient and effective use of funds approved by the City Council through the annual budget
Other Aiken County Cities and Towns:
| Burnnettown | 803-593-2676 |
| Jackson | 803-471-2228 |
| Monetta | 803-685-5258 |
| New Ellenton | 803-652-2214 |
| North Augusta | 803-441-4202 |
| Perry | 803-564-5756 |
| Salley | 803-258-3485 |
| Wagener | 803-564-3412 |
| Windsor | 803-648-4355 |
MEDIA
Newspapers
The Aiken Standard
Local/Aiken County
published daily
(803) 648-2311
The Augusta Chronicle
Augusta - Aiken MSA
published daily
(803) 648-1395
Cable Television
Atlantic Broadband
(803) 648-8361
Broadcast Television
| WAGT Television, Inc., NBC | (706) 826-0026 |
| WFXG - TV 54, FOX | (706) 650-5400 |
| WJBF-TV 6, ABC | (706) 828-7315 |
| WRDW-TV, Inc., CBS | (803) 278-1212 |
Radio Stations
| 88.3 WAFJ Radio | (803) 819-3125 |
| Contemporary Christian Beasley Broadcasting | (706) 396-7000 |
| WCHZ 95.1 FM | Active Rock |
| WDRR 93.9 FM | Classic Hits |
| WGAC 580 AM | News/Talk |
| WGAC 93.1 FM | News/Talk |
| WGUS 1480 AM | Southern Gospel |
| WGUS 102.7 FM | Southern Gospel |
| WHHD 99 FM | Top 40 |
| WKXC 99.5 FM | Country |
| Clear Channel Broadcasting | (706) 396-6000 |
| WBBQ 104.3 FM | Adult Contemporary |
| WEKL 105.7 FM | Classic Rock |
| WIBL 102.3 FM | Country |
| WKSP 96.3 FM | Urban Adult Contemporary |
| WPRW 107 FM | Urban |
| WSGF 1340 AM | Southern Gospel |
| WYNF 1380 AM | Sports Talk |
| WKCG 101.3 FM | Adult Contemporary |
| Radio One, Inc | (803) 279-2330 |
| WAEG 92.3 FM | Alternative Rock |
| WAKB 96.9 FM | Urban/Adult Contemporary |
| WFXA 103.1 FM | Mainstream/Urban |
| WTHB 1550 AM | Gospel |
| WTHB 100.9 FM | Gospel |
U. S. Post Office (803) 649-9211
Main Branch located at
307 Laurens Street, NW, Aiken, SC 29801
TAXES
Sales Tax
- There is a 6% state sales tax imposed in Aiken
county on the purchase of food, personal effects and other items.
- There is a 1% local tax.
Income Tax
- South Carolina levies taxes on the net income of individuals, trusts and estates.
- Residents and non-residents earning income from South Carolina-based sources are subject to this tax.
For more information contact:
Aiken County Treasurer's Office
803-642-2092
828 Richland Avenue, W,
Aiken, SC 29801
S.C. Dept. of Revenue
803-898-5000
301 Gervais Street , Columbia, SC 29214
TRANSPORTATION
Local Transportation
Best Friend Express
(803) 648-6493
Best Friend Express is Aiken County's public transit service. The green and white buses operate throughout 170 miles of the Aiken urbanized area every Monday through Saturday. The routes begin at approximately 5:00 AM and run until 7:30 PM. The buses themselves are comfortable "cut-aways" that can carry up to 20 passengers. Also, all of the vehicles are ADA compliant including wheelchair lifts.
| Greyhound Bus Lines | (800) 231-2222 |
| South Carolina Department of Transportation | (803) 737-2314 |
| Airport Service Augusta Regional Airport | (706) 798-3236 |
| • Is served by two airlines: Northwest Airlines and Delta • Two private airports are located in the region. |
|
| Aiken Municipal Airport | (803) 648-7803 |
| • Private airport located in Aiken. | |
Highways and Rail Service
- The Metro area has access to interstate highways: I-20 and I-520.
- The area is serviced by three major U.S. highways and nearly 20 state highways.
Rail System
- Main line railroads serving the area include the CSX System and Norfolk Southern.
- Amtrak connects the region with other cities through out the nation via rail. For more information about AMTRAK: Reservations (800) 872-7245
VOTER REGISTRATION
In order to vote, South Carolina law requires one must first register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election.
To be eligible to register in South Carolina you MUST:
- be a United States citizen
- be at least eighteen years old on or before the next election
- be a resident of South Carolina, this county and precinct
- not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
- not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
- have never been convicted of a felony or offense against the election laws OR if previously convicted,have served the entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction.
Aiken County Voter Registration
916 Vaucluse Road, Aiken, SC 29801
803-642-2028
UTILITY CONNECTIONS
Both private companies and governmental agencies provide utility services to the Metro area. Services can be subscribed to by phone or in person.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
AT&T and Atlantic Broadband provide telephone service to customers in most of Aiken County.
- Deposits for home telephone services can vary depending on your individual credit rating and type of services ordered. Often deposits are waived for customers with an excellent payment record with a previous phone carrier.
- To place an order for residential service with AT&T, contact.......(888) 516-8483.
- To place an order for residential service with Atlantic Broadband, contact.......(803) 648-8361.
GARBAGE REMOVAL
- City of Aiken provides garbage disposal to homes in the city limits.
- The cost of disposal is levied in your taxes or included in water and sewer service fees.
- Several isolated rural areas depend on private garbage collection services.
Contact the following for information on garbage collection services:
City of Aiken Public Service Department
(803) 642-7610
Tyler's Sanitation, Inc
(803) 648-6714
WATER
| Aiken (City of) | 803-642-7603 |
| Bath Water & Sewer District | 803-593-3221 |
| Beech Island Rural Community Water District | 803-827-1004 |
| Breezy Hill Water & Sewer Company | 803-663-6455 |
| Clearwater Water & Sewer District | 803-593-3509 |
| College Acres Public Works District | 803-649-5619 |
| Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority | 803-279-1503 |
| Jackson Water Department | 803-471-2229 |
| Langley Water & Sewer District | 803-593-3404 |
| Monetta Water Department | 803-685-5258 |
| Montmorenci/Couchton Water District | 803-648-9920 |
| New Ellenton Public Works Commission | 803-652-2862 |
| North Augusta (City of) | 803-441-4219 |
| Perry Town Hall | 803-564-5756 |
| Talatha Rural Water District | 803-652-1381 or 652-1390 |
| Valley Public Service Authority | 803-593-2053 |
| Wagener Water Department | 803-564-3412 |
ELECTRICITY AND GAS
Aiken County is served by two electrical utilities.
Aiken Electric Co-op primarily serves the rural areas of Aiken County. The Co-op's headquarters are located at 2790 Wagener Rd (SC 4 east) in Aiken. You may contact them by phone at 803-649-6245 or 1-800-922-1262. More information is available at their website: www.aikenco-op.org.
South Carolina Electric & Gas primarily serves the incorporated areas of Aiken County. SCE&G has offices in Aiken and North Augusta. You may contact them by phone at 800-251-7234. More information is available at their website: www.sceg.com.
Natural gas is available in certain areas of Aiken County.
South Carolina Electric & Gas provides natural gas in selected areas of Aiken County. SCE&G has offices in Aiken and North Augusta. You may contact them by phone at 800-251-7234. More information is available at their website: www.sceg.com.
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