South Carolina learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where South Carolina doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
15 years
Fees
$4.50 total
Supervised driving
40 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
Not publishedSources 123
Passing score
Not publishedSources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$4.50 total$2 for the knowledge test plus $2.50 for the beginner's permit once you pass; the same for teens and adults, and each retest is another $2.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
15 yearsAt least 15 for a regular (Class D) or motorcycle (Class M) beginner's permit.Sources 21
Supervised driving
40 hours (10 at night)Sources 21
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 21
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
Vision standard
20/40 corrected in at least one eyeSources 21

From permit to full license

  • Beginner's permit at 15 (vision + knowledge test); drive 6 a.m.-midnight with a licensed driver 21+ with 1+ year experience in the front seat.
  • Under 18 must hold the permit at least 180 days; 18+ at least 30 days.
  • Ages 15-16 need 40 supervised practice hours incl. 10 at night, driver's ed (8 h classroom + 6 h driving) and school enrolment.
  • Conditional license at 15.5 (drive alone 6 a.m.-6 p.m./8 p.m. DST, with 21+ licensed driver until midnight, max two passengers under 21); special restricted license at 16 with the same restrictions; full privileges after one year with no offenses/at-fault collisions.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website: dmv.sc.gov.

Sources

  1. dmv.sc.gov: beginner permits
  2. dmv.sc.gov: Driver's Manual
  3. dmv.sc.gov: fees

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