South Carolina Driving Permits

Beginner's Permit
A regular passenger vehicle beginner's permit allows you to practice driving a vehicle while you are accompanied by an experienced licensed driver.To get a Class D Beginner's Permit:

  • Must be at least 15 years old.
  • Must bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance information. Review our Accepted Forms of Identification for more information.
  • If you are under 18 years of age, you must bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
  • Must pass the vision and knowledge tests.

Restrictions:

  • You may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience accompanies you in the front seat.
  • From midnight to 6 a.m., you may drive if a licensed parent or guardian accompanies you in the front seat.
  • You must have your beginner's permit for 180 days before you can apply for a driver's license. Application can be made on the 181st day or anytime there after.
  • If you are under 17 years of age, you must complete a driver’s education course (eight hours classroom time and six hours behind the wheel) before you can apply for any type of driver’s license.
  • If you are under 18 years of age, you must practice driving with your licensed parent or legal guardian for at least 40 hours, including 10 hours during darkness, before you can apply for any type of your driver's license.

 
 
Conditional License
If you are 15 years old and have held a beginner's permit for at least 180 days and passed the vision and skills tests, you are eligible for a conditional license.  Application may be made on the 181st day for a Conditional Provisional License after passing the vision and skills tests. To get a Conditional License:

  • Bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
  • Bring your beginner's permit.
  • Submit Form PDLA that certifies you have:

 

  • Completed a driver's education course
  • Had satisfactory school attendance
  • Practiced driving with your licensed parent or guardian for 40 hours, including 10 hours of driving practice at night.

Form PDLA allows you to submit all of these certifications and is available at your high school or driver training school:

  • You must pass the vision and road skills tests. You must wait two weeks to re-test if you fail the skills test on the 1st or 2nd attempt to pass.  You must wait 60 days if you fail on the 3rd or subsequent attempt before being re-tested.

Driving Restrictions:

  • You may drive alone during daylight hours from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time).
  • From 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time) until midnight, you may drive if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age accompanies you.
  •  Between midnight and 6 a.m., you may drive if your licensed parent or legal guardian accompanies you.
  • You cannot transport more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless you are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. The only exception is if you are transporting family members or students to and from school.
  • You may obtain full driving privileges when you are 16 if you have had your license for one year and have no traffic offenses or been involved in any at-fault accidents. If you are under the age of 17 and accrue six or more points on your record before you have held your license for one year, your license will be suspended for six months.

Special Restricted License for 16 Year Old Drivers
If you are 16 years old and have held your beginner's permit for at least 180 days and passed the vision and skills tests, or have a conditional license, you are eligible for a special restricted license.To get a Special Restricted License you must:

  • Bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
  • You must bring your beginner's permit.
  • You must submit Form PDLA that certifies you have:
  • Completed a driver's education course
  • Had satisfactory school attendance
  • Practiced driving with your licensed parent or guardian for 40 hours, including 10 hours of driving practice at night.

Form PDLA allows you to submit all of these certifications and is available at your high school or driver training school.

  •      You must pass the vision and road skills tests.

Driving Restrictions:

  • You may drive alone during daylight hours from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time).
  • From 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time) until midnight, you may drive if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age accompanies.
  • Between midnight and 6 a.m., you may drive if your licensed parent or legal guardian accompanies you.
  • You cannot transport more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless you are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. The only exception is if you are transporting family members or students to and from school.

You will obtain full driving privileges when you are 17 if you have had your special restricted license for one year and have no traffic offenses or been involved in any at-fault accidents. If you are under the age of 17 and accrue six or more points on your record before you have held your license for one year, your license will be suspended for six months. Waiver of Time Restrictions: If the time limitations for a special restricted driver's license cause problems for you at your job or school, they can be waived. You must prove to the department that they interfere with your job, education or travel between home, school, vocational training or employment opportunities by submitting two separate statements:

  •     A statement from your parent or legal guardian
  •     A statement on letterhead from your employer or school official.

Both statements must give the reason for the waiver.  The fee for the waiver is $12.50.Regular Driver License for Drivers 17 Years Old and OlderIf you are at least 17 years old and have held a beginner's permit for 180 days, you are eligible for a regular SC Driver's License.  To get a Regular Driver's License:

  • If you are under 18 years of age and have never been licensed, you must bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application.
  • If you are 18 years old or older, you do not need the signature of your parent or legal guardian.
  • You must bring your beginner's permit.
  • You must pass the vision and road skills tests

 
- South Carolina DMV