To obtain a learner’s permit—called a beginner’s permit—in South Carolina, you need to be at least 15 years old, present the required documents, pass a vision and a knowledge test, and pay a couple of fees.

You can get a learner’s permit for a car or motorcycle starting at age 15 in South Carolina. If you’re a minor, your parents will need to sign their consent at the DMV.
You must have a supervising adult with you at all times when driving on your permit.
After you have held your permit for at least 180 days and logged enough driving hours, you may take your road skills test to get a full license.

Whether you’re a young person or just an adult who started late, a beginner’s permit is the first step in getting your full South Carolina driver’s license. But what does the process actually entail? How do you apply for a permit? What sort of tests do you need to pass?

We’ve put together the following guide detailing everything you need to know about getting a South Carolina learner’s permit, the regulations you’ll need to follow with one, and how to move on and get your full license.

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How to get a South Carolina learner’s permit

Before you can qualify for a Class D (standard passenger vehicle) or Class M (motorcycle) beginner’s permit in South Carolina, you must be at least 15 years of age. If you are looking to apply for a Class E or Class F beginner’s permit, you must be at least 18 years old—though we will only be dealing with Class D and Class M permits here.

Once your 15th birthday rolls around, you can apply for your first permit by visiting your local SCDMV and taking the required tests, which consist of a basic vision test and a more detailed knowledge test (which comes with a $2.00 fee). If desired, you may take a

practice exam

beforehand.

If you pass the knowledge test and can receive your South Carolina learner’s permit, you’ll need to pay an additional $2.50 for the permit itself.

You can also apply for a beginner’s permit through a DMV-authorized third-party tester or One Stop Driver Testing and Training Program location. You can find a list of these testers on the

SCDMV’s website

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What to bring to the DMV

When you go to the SCDMV to apply for your learner’s permit, you will need to bring documentation of the following:

Your social security number (SSN)

Your original birth certificate

Proof of your current physical address

If you are applying for a permit and are under 18, you will also need to bring an individual (like a parent or legal guardian) listed on the SCDMV Form 447-CM

Consent for Minor form

to sign for you.

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South Carolina learner’s permit regulations

As long as you hold a Class D South Carolina beginner’s permit, you must adhere to the following regulations:

When driving between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m., you must have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and who has at least one year of driving experience in the front passenger’s seat at all times.

When driving after midnight, you must have a licensed individual listed in the SC Code Section 56-1-100(A) (1-7) to supervise you.

If you hold a Class M South Carolina beginner’s permit, on the other hand, the following rules apply:

Between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (or 8:00 p.m. during daylight savings), you may drive unaccompanied.

When driving outside of these hours, you must be supervised by someone with a valid motorcycle license who is at least 21 years old and who has at least one year of driving experience. This person must be within a safe viewing distance of you at all times when operating the motorcycle.

Regardless of your age, you must hold your learner’s permit for at least 180 days before you can apply for any type of license.

Applying for a Class D first-time driver’s license

If you are 15 or 16 and are looking to move up a step in South Carolina’s graduated licensing program by applying for a first-time Class D driver’s license, you must meet the following requirements:

Have held your beginner’s permit for over 180 days

Completed a valid driver’s education course (8 hours in classroom, 6 hours driving)

Are enrolled in school and have satisfactory school attendance

Have practiced at least 40 hours of driving, including 10 hours of night driving with a parent, legal guardian, or other individual who has custody over you

Have completed the Certification of School Attendance, Drivers Education and Driving Practice (SCDMV form PDLA).

If you are 17 or older and are applying for a first-time driver’s license, you need only have held your beginner’s permit for over 180 days and pass the skills test to receive full driving privileges.

Applying for a Class M first-time driver’s license

To apply for a Class M first-time driver’s license, you must:

Have held your beginner’s permit for 180+ days

Pass the knowledge test

Pass an on-cycle skills test

If you do not pass the skills test, you will need to reschedule at a later date and take it again. In most instances, you can only fail the skills test three times at an SCDMV branch location before you are required to take an SCDMV-authorized motorcycle safety course—during which you will be able to take the test again.

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