South Carolina Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your South Carolina learner's permit — age, fees, required documents, supervised-hours rules, and what happens after — summarized from the official DMV pages and linked to the source.
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: SCDMV — Beginner's Permit ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
How to get your permit in South Carolina
- At 15+, pass the vision and knowledge tests and get the beginner's permit
- Hold the beginner's permit for more than 180 days if applying for a first license at 15 or 16
- Complete driver education and at least 40 practice hours, including 10 at night
- Bring the completed SCDMV Form PDLA and pass the vision and road test
- Follow Conditional or Special Restricted license passenger and time-of-day restrictions
South Carolina GDL restrictions for new drivers
- Permit supervision: Regular beginner's permit holders may practice from 6 a.m. to midnight with a licensed driver age 21+ with at least one year of experience in the front seat; midnight to 6 a.m. requires a qualified individual in the front seat
- Conditional passenger rule: Conditional and Special Restricted license holders may not have more than two passengers under 21 unless with a licensed adult age 21+, transporting family members, or transporting students to and from school
- Conditional time rule: Conditional and Special Restricted license holders may drive alone 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time), with a licensed driver age 21+ until midnight, and with a qualified individual from midnight to 6 a.m.
Documents you'll need
- Social Security number
- Government-issued birth certificate
- Proof of current physical address
- Adult consent if under 18
- Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education, and Driving Practice (SCDMV Form PDLA) for first license at 15 or 16
The details
- Permit eligibility: Regular beginner's permit minimum age
- Permit fee details: Beginner's permit fee after passing the $2 knowledge test
- Knowledge test: 30 questions; 80% to pass; Web search: 30-question test, 24 correct (80%) to pass
- Retake wait after failing: 2 days — If you fail the skills test on your first attempt, you must wait two days to re-test
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in South Carolina?
You can get a learner's permit in South Carolina at 15. Regular beginner's permit minimum age.
How much does a South Carolina permit cost?
The South Carolina permit fee is $2.5. Beginner's permit fee after passing the $2 knowledge test.
How long do you have to hold your permit in South Carolina?
You must hold your South Carolina permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does South Carolina require?
South Carolina requires 40 hours of supervised practice driving, including 10 at night.
Where can I practice for the South Carolina permit test?
Right here — take a free South Carolina practice test in your browser, or get the free DMV Prep app for the full DMV-format experience with a readiness score.
