A new state law that aims to reform South Carolina's troubled Department of Motor Vehicles will mean radical changes for drivers.

They will have the option of renewing their licenses every 10 years instead of the former five-year schedule. But drivers 65 years and older will be limited to a five-year renewal.

And, for the first time, private firms and other agencies - even public schools - can apply to the DMV for permission to offer road and written tests, but the DMV will actually issue the license. Private firms also will be able to sell license plates, registrations and decals.

Vehicle registration prices went up from $10 to $15.

The DMV is still drawing up procedures on how those outside businesses, agencies and schools will operate, says DMV spokeswoman Beth Parks. The legislation says they can charge more than the DMV, but does not set a limit.

DMV branches will continue to offer those same services.

The changes are aimed at reducing the long lines at DMV offices, a growing concern to many S.C. lawmakers.

"People are going to have a better opportunity to do their business online or through the mail," said state Rep. Ron Townsend, R-Anderson. "The more people that do that, the shorter the lines will be for the people who have to go in."

The law, which went into effect June 5, also moves the office out of the Department of Public Safety and sets it up as a department responsible to the governor.

Gov. Mark Sanford has named Marcia Adams of Irmo as the acting executive director. The governor will submit Adams' name to the Senate soon as the permanent head of the DMV. The state Senate must confirm his choice.

Parks says the changes should give drivers more choices than standing in line, including the Internet license renewals, the 10-year license and private businesses offering DMV services.

Many S.C. drivers will be able to renew their licenses through the Internet, as well as the by-mail renewal that has been allowed the last few years.

Driver's licenses will continue to cost $12.50 for a five-year license and $25 for a 10-year license. The 10-year licenses will be available Oct. 1.

On the fifth year of that license, a driver must submit evidence of a vision screening. That screening must be done in the previous 12 months by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Or the driver can come to a DMV branch or authorized license office for a vision test.

The driver can renew for another 10 years by mail or Internet if the DMV has proof of a vision test.

A driver must come to a DMV office at least once every 10 years to have a new photo taken.

Drivers 65 and older will receive five-year licenses. They can renew for five years by mail or in person.

If they renew by mail or online, they must give DMV proof of a vision tests from an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

North Carolina, by contrast, has a five-year license. Almost all its vehicle registration and license tag business is handled by private vendors.

North Carolina does not allow mail or Internet renewals.