South Carolina Drivers License Instructions

DMV got you confused? Check out our easy instructions for getting your South Carolina drivers license.

1. Study for the South Carolina learners permit / beginners permit test

2. Apply for the South Carolina learners / beginners permit

3. Take South Carolina drivers education

4. Practice driving under supervision

5. Take the driving test for the South Carolina drivers license

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

1. Study for the SC learners permit / beginners permit test

In order to get the learners permit / beginners permit and eventually the South Carolina drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the beginners permit test with our South Carolina DMV practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests can be purchased separately or are free when you purchase our online South Carolina drivers education course.

2. Apply for the SC learners permit / beginners permit

Apply for the beginners permit at a DMV office near you.

In order to be eligible for the beginners permit, you must:

Be at least 15 years old.
Bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency and insurance. View acceptable documents.
Bring your parent or legal guardian with you to sign your application if you are under 18.
Pass the vision test.
Pass the road signs and knowledge test.
Pay the applicable fee.

Once your pass the tests, you will be issued a beginners permit with the following 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 beginners permit for 180 days before you can apply for a drivers 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 your drivers license.

3. Take South Carolina drivers education

Under 17:
If you are under 17, you must take a DMV approved drivers education course. These courses are usually provided through high schools. Online drivers education courses do not meet this requirement.

17 or Older:
If you are 17 or older, drivers education is not mandatory in South Carolina. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take a drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the DriversEd.com South Carolina drivers education course online at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Note: this course does not satisfy the SC drivers education requirement for new drivers under 17.

4. Practice driving under supervision

Practice driving under supervision in accordance with the restriction of your beginners permit. You must have your beginners permit for 180 days before you can apply for a 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 your drivers license.

DriversEd.com can help make the supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

5. Take the driving test for the SC drivers license

Schedule an appointment for your driving test at a DMV location near you.

In order to be eligible for the South Carolina drivers license, you must:

Be at least 15½ years old.
Have held your beginners permit for at least 180 days.
Bring your birth certificate, social security card, proof of residency, and proof of insurance. View acceptable documents
Be accompanied by your parent or guardian and have them sign your application if you are under 18 and have never been licensed before.
Submit Form PDLA (if you are under 17) that certifies you have:

Completed a drivers education course.
Had satisfactory school attendance.
Practiced driving with your parent or legal guardian for at least 40 hours, including 10 hours of driving practice at night.

Pass a vision test.
Pass a driving skills test.
Pay the applicable fee.

Once you pass the driving test, if you are 17 or older you will be issued a regular drivers license.

Conditional License

If you are under 16 you will be issued a conditional license with the following 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 andaccrue six or more pointson your record before you have held your license for one year, your license will be suspended for six months.

Special Restricted License

If you are 16 years old and have held your beginners permit for at least 180 days or have a conditional license, you are eligible for a special restricted license.

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 andaccrue six or more pointson 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 drivers 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.

DriversEd.com is a privately held company and is in no way associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. DriversEd.com does not claim any responsibility for the accuracy of the drivers license information posted within or for the business practices associated with any other schools listed on the DriversEd.com site. For up-to-date information, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle registration agency. Also, DriversEd.com is not liable for any information or claims posted within third party links.