South Carolina permit requirements
South Carolina beginner's-permit requirements
A South Carolina beginner's permit is available from age 15. An original applicant completes the document process and passes the required vision and knowledge tests before supervised practice.
- 15minimum permit age
- 180 daysteen hold before licensing
- Vision + knowledgeinitial tests
Start with the beginner's permit
South Carolina law allows a beginner's permit from age 15. SCDMV requires the vision and knowledge tests for the original permit.
Practice under supervision
Use the beginner's permit for supervised driving under the current SCDMV rules before moving to a regular or teen-restricted license.
Teen applicants have a 180-day progression
Before a Conditional or Special Restricted license, an applicant under 17 must meet the current holding-period, education, school and supervised-driving requirements.
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Related Road to Permit guides
Official sources
- South Carolina DMV — Driver's Manual
- South Carolina DMV — Ready for the Road?
- South Carolina DMV — US Citizens' Checklist
- South Carolina DMV — Non-Commercial Driving Schools
- South Carolina Code — §56-1-50 beginner's permit
Independent study resource. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by any DMV, DPS, FLHSMV or other government agency. Official state sources control if information changes.