If you’re a new driver in South Carolina and want to get your driver’s license, you’ll have to provide proof of identity, US citizenship, and date of birth, as well as your Social Security number and two proofs of residency. For all new license holders, you must complete a driver’s education course, vision test, knowledge exam, and pass your final road test.

Getting your driver’s license is a big milestone for most people—it’s freedom like you’ve never experienced before. But the process of getting a license can be complicated and differs among states depending on your age and residency status.

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What are the requirements for a driver’s license in South Carolina?

To get a South Carolina driver’s license, you must be at least 16 years old. All applications for a license must be submitted to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), but before you head there you’ll have to collect the appropriate documents:

Proof of identity, US citizenship, and date of birth (government-issued birth certificate or valid US Passport)

Social Security number

Proof of current, physical South Carolina address

Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

If you have a valid driver's license or ID card from another state and take permanent residence in South Carolina, you must apply for a South Carolina license or ID. Your old license or ID card must be turned in and the out-of-state one will be canceled.

Drivers are also required to pass a vision test and pay all applicable fees before a driver’s license can be issued. Currently, an eight-year driver's license is $25. If your out-of-state license has expired by more than nine months, you are also required to pass a knowledge exam and road test.

MORE:

South Carolina car insurance laws

What are the requirements for young drivers?

Regardless of your age, you will first need to apply for a South Carolina beginner's permit. This can be done once you are 15 years old. This permit allows you to drive with a licensed passenger over 21 between the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight. Before being issued, you will need to pass a vision test and a written test.

Drivers over 17 must hold the beginner's permit for a minimum of 180 days. Drivers under 17 must complete a driver’s education course consisting of at least eight hours of classroom instruction and six hours of driving training, be enrolled in school, and practice driving for a total of 40 hours, 10 of which are at night.

A conditional driver’s license will be issued for young drivers between the age of 15 and a half and 16. They must pass a South Carolina driving exam before it can be issued. The road test will test your ability to operate a vehicle in a safe manner. You will also have to prove to the examiner that you understand how to use the various safety mechanisms in your car.

At your road exam, you will again have to show the following documents:

Proof of identity, US citizenship, and date of birth (government-issued birth certificate or valid US Passport)

Social Security number

Proof of current, physical South Carolina address

Proof of legal name change (if applicable)

The

United States Citizens' Checklist (SCDMV Form MV-93)

breaks down a more complete list of accepted documents. If you're an

international driver

, the requirements are different.

A conditional driver’s license has two restrictions:

Cannot have more than two passengers under the age of 21 unless accompanied by an adult (over 21), except if you are driving family members or students to and from school

Can drive alone between the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but must be supervised by a fully licensed adult from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.

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What are the requirements for out-of-state drivers?

Any out-of-state driver can easily get a South Carolina driver’s license, but if you’re driving through the state, swapping your license isn’t required. However, if you’re a new resident of South Carolina, you will need the following documents to obtain a South Carolina license:

Proof of current South Carolina address

Social Security number or a letter from Social Security Administration stating you are not eligible to work in the US

Proof of identity, date, place of birth, and authorized length of stay in the US

Legal documents supporting the name change

Automobile liability insurance information (not required for a beginner’s permit or ID) from a company licensed to operate in South Carolina

All out-of-state drivers applying for a South Carolina driver’s license or ID must surrender their existing license to the SCDMV upon approval. If you do not have an out-of-state license to surrender, you will be required to provide a driving record from your previous state as proof of driving. If your license has been expired for more than nine months, you must take a knowledge exam and road test before a license can be issued.

Any licenses or ID cards issued by another state or province will be canceled. If a license or ID card is later issued by another state or province, your South Carolina license or ID card will be canceled.

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How to get a driver’s license in South Carolina

For new drivers: beginner’s driving permit

All new drivers in the state of South Carolina under the age of 17 are required to take a

driver’s education course

consisting of at least eight hours of in-class learning and six hours of road time. In addition, you must be enrolled in school and show proof of 40 hours of driving practice with a licensed adult, 10 hours of which must be at night.

To get a beginner’s permit upon completion of a driver’s education course, you must:

Visit any

SCDMV location

. If you’re under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must accompany you and provide consent (they must have ID).

Complete the

Beginner's Permit Application

online and print it or fill out a copy when you arrive at the SCDMV.

Bring the required documentation: proof of identity, US citizenship, birth date, Social Security number, and proof of South Carolina address.

Pass the vision test.

Pass a written knowledge exam.

Pay the beginner’s permit fee $2.50 fee by cash, check, and credit/debit card. There is an additional $1 + 1.7% fee for payments made by card.

Vision test

All drivers are required to pass a vision test before they can be issued a South Carolina driver’s license. Seeing the road is important, so the law states that drivers must have 20/40 vision or better.

If you cannot pass the SCDMV eye test for any reason, you’ll have to visit a licensed eye care professional to determine if your eyes meet South Carolina’s vision requirements. If your vision can be improved with contact lenses or treatment, you may qualify for a South Carolina driver’s license that allows you to drive only while wearing them.

An eye exam certificate can be submitted online by a South Carolina licensed eye care professional through the

SCDMV's online vision portal

. If your test results are from an out-of-state vision center, you must visit an SCDMV branch.

A Certificate of Vision Examination is valid for 12 months from the date of the exam.

Knowledge exam

Once you have completed your driver’s education course and have passed your vision test, it’s time to take your knowledge exam. This exam tests your knowledge of rules and regulations of the road and safe driving. You must score a minimum of 80% to pass the exam, which is equivalent to 24/30 questions correct.

The South Carolina DMV offers an online

practice exam

to test your knowledge.

Road test

Once you’ve got everything else under your belt, you’re on the home stretch—it’s time for the road test. This is the final test before you can apply for your full South Carolina driver’s license.

The South Carolina DMV doesn’t provide test vehicles, so you must provide your own vehicle that has working:

Headlights and brakes

Windshield wipers

Safety belts

Turn signals

Mirrors

Speedometer

Defroster

Horn

The car you’re using for your test must also have a valid license plate, registration card, and

proof of insurance

. If your car doesn’t qualify for driving, the skills test will be postponed. Also remember to put your seatbelt on, as forgetting is an automatic fail.

Make sure you bring the following items to your road test:

Old license or beginner's permit

A licensed driver

Vehicle liability insurance information from a licensed South Carolina insurance company

During your road exam, you will be required to:

Turn on your headlights and windshield wipers

Turn on your turn signals (all)

Test your brake lights

Make lane changes

Make right and left turns

Identify road signs

Parallel park

100 feet backing

Park on a hill

Perform a three-point turn

Straight-line backing

South Carolina also offers One-Stop

Driver Training and Testing Programs

where authorized testers administer knowledge and road tests if you're applying for a first-time regular (Class D) beginner's permit, driver's license, or motorcycle (Class M) license.

If you fail your first attempt at the road test, you must wait two business days to retake the test. If you fail your second attempt, you must wait seven calendar days to retest, and if you fail the third test and any subsequent attempts, you must wait 30 calendar days to retest.

If you pass your driving test, you will be issued a South Carolina driver’s license upon payment of the $25.00 fee for an eight-year license.

MORE:

Can I get car insurance with a provisional driver's license?

How to save money on car insurance in South Carolina

Now that you’ve passed all your tests and hold a valid South Carolina driver’s license, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected when hitting the roads.

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FAQs

What do I need for a South Carolina driver’s license?

To get a South Carolina driver’s license, you’ll need to show proof of identity, US citizenship, date of birth, Social Security number or equivalent documentation, and two documents showing proof of residential address.

How much does it cost to get a South Carolina driver’s license?

The fee for a non-commercial South Carolina driver’s license is $25 for eight years.

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