In South Carolina, you can get your driver’s license if you’re 15 or 16 years old. You’ll need to complete the Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education, and Driving Practice (SCDMV Form PDLA) from a driver’s education program.

There’s nothing like the freedom you get when you receive your driver’s license for the first time. Every state dictates the driver's license process, including the driving age. So

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What is the driving age in South Carolina?

If you’re at least 15 years old, you can start the process to get your driver’s license. When you’re over 17 years old, you could have your full license and be able to drive without restrictions.

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What is the Graduated Drivers License program in South Carolina?

South Carolina implemented the Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) laws to help young drivers develop safe driving habits without having them learn on the road.

These are the three stages that comprise South Carolina’s Graduated Drivers Licensing program:

Learner’s permit or beginner’s permit

Conditional driver's license or special restricted license

Unrestricted driver’s license

Graduating from this state program means you can drive without restrictions—except, of course, for the laws that govern the roads in South Carolina.

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14 safe driving tips

How to get your learner’s permit in South Carolina

South Carolina residents who are 15 or 16 years old can apply for a learner’s, or beginner’s, permit. You will need to do the following to receive your permit:

Take a knowledge test at an SCDMV branch. The fee for the test is $2.00, plus $2.50 if you pass (to get your permit).

Study the materials provided by the state. For most, it will be the

Driver's Manual

If you’re under 18, you must bring someone who is listed on your

Consent for Minor Form

with you to sign consent.

Pass both a vision test and a knowledge test.

Provide your social security number, original birth certificate, and proof of your current address.

Remember, you must have your learner’s permit for a minimum of 180 days. The only exception is if you have a valid driver’s license.

Conditional driver’s license restrictions

A conditional driver’s license has some restrictions. Not adhering to them could result in your conditional license being suspended or a full driver’s license not being issued to you.

The main restriction is that you can only drive during daylight hours. This means you can drive unsupervised from 6 AM to 6 PM, or 6 AM to 8 pm during daylight savings time. The reason is that nighttime driving can pose more risks and the state wants to ensure you are prepared for it.

If you keep a safe driving record and have no issues, you can receive your full driver’s license with all restrictions lifted.

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How to get your full driver’s license in South Carolina

You’ve gone through the steps, passed the tests, and now it’s time to get your full license!

If you’re 15 or 16 years old, you will have to do the following to obtain your full license:

Complete the Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education, and Driving Practice.

Have a beginner's permit for longer than 180 days.

Complete a driver's education course, which involves eight classroom hours and six driving hours.

Remain enrolled in school, without suspension or expulsion, with satisfactory attendance.

Practice driving with a licensed person listed on the Consent for Minor (SCDMV Form 447-CM) for a minimum of 40 hours. This must include 10 hours of night driving.

Upon successful completion, you have the Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education, and Driving Practice (SCDMV Form PDLA) from a driver's education program.

Key Takeaway To get your full license in South Carolina, you must be at least 15 years old, have your learner’s permit for longer than 180 days, be enrolled in school, have the required classroom and driving hours, practice driving for 40 hours (including 10 at night) and complete the necessary driver’s education programs.

First driver’s license restrictions in South Carolina

You just got your first driver’s license, congrats! Before you go on your first road trip, you need to understand that there are some restrictions you must adhere to until you have more experience.

Make sure you follow these restrictions until they are lifted:

You are not permitted to have more than two passengers under 21 years old unless you are driving with a licensed adult who is 21 years old or older. The one exception is if you have to drive family members or students to and from school.

You can only drive by yourself from 6 AM to 6 PM (or 8 PM during daylight savings time). That said, you can drive with a licensed driver (must be at least 21 years old) from 6 PM (8 PM during daylight savings time) to midnight.

You are allowed to drive with a licensed individual from midnight to 6 AM as long as they’re listed on the Consent for Minor (SCDMV Form 447-CM).

Another point to note is that if you are younger than 17 years old and obtain six or more points on your driving record within the first year, your license will be suspended for six months.

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How to get a suspended license reinstated

Exceptions

In South Carolina, if you are 16 years old and have been issued a Special Restricted or Conditional license, you could apply for a Special Restricted license with a waiver. This lets you drive alone until midnight for work or certain extracurriculars.

If you want to apply for a Special Restricted license with a waiver, follow these steps:

Submit a completed Application for a Driver's License, Beginner's Permit, or ID (SCDMV Form 447-NC).

Submit a letter from your school, vocational training, church, work, or extracurricular activity that explicitly states that you are a legitimate candidate for this waiver.

Submit a letter from your parent or legal guardian that states that they approve of you receiving this waiver and why it is necessary.

Pass the vision test.

Pay the $25 fee.

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How to save on car insurance in South Carolina

While it might be tough, you need to put aside the excitement of getting your driver’s license to make sure you invest in the right coverage for a teen driver. Look no further than comparison super app

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FAQs

Can you get a South Carolina driver’s license at 16?

You can start the process to get a driver’s license at 16. You must complete the Certification of School Attendance, Driver’s Education and Driving Practice. You must also have had your beginner’s permit for over 180 days.

Can you drive by yourself at 17 in South Carolina?

Yes, if you’re 16 and have a Special Restricted license, you can apply to drive alone until midnight.

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