South Carolina · Handbook chapter 1 · 4 min read

South Carolina license classes, the beginner's permit from age 15, supervision hours, the 180-day and 30-day holding periods, driver education, conditional and special restricted licenses, the knowledge and skills tests, fees and renewals.

Why this chapter matters

South Carolina's graduated licensing rules are full of exact ages, times and day counts, and the knowledge test expects you to know them. This chapter follows Section 1 of the manual.

License classes

• Class D is the regular license for cars and trucks up to 26,000 pounds. It also covers mopeds and three-wheel vehicles.
• Class E covers single non-commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds, such as large motor homes; Class F covers the same vehicles towing a trailer or vehicle.
• Class G is a moped license (minimum age 15; vision and knowledge tests only). Class M is for motorcycles.
• Classes A, B and C are commercial licenses with their own manual.
• You may hold only one driver's license. When you drive, carry your license, registration and insurance card.

The beginner's permit

• Minimum age: 15. You must pass the vision and knowledge tests.
• From 6 a.m. to midnight, a licensed driver at least 21 with at least one year of driving experience must sit in the front seat.
• From midnight to 6 a.m., the supervisor must be one of the qualified people named in state law, such as your parent or legal guardian.
• Under 18, hold the permit at least 180 days (apply on day 181). At 18 or older, hold it at least 30 days (apply on day 31).
• The knowledge test costs $2 each time and the permit $2.50.

Before your first license (ages 15 and 16)

• Permit held more than 180 days.
• Driver education: 8 hours in the classroom and 6 hours of driving.
• At least 40 hours of practice, including 10 hours at night, with a qualified adult.
• Enrolled in school with satisfactory attendance, and the PDLA certification form completed by an authorized issuer.

The graduated licenses

• No more than two passengers under 21 unless a licensed adult 21+ is with you (family members and students going to or from school are the exception).
• Under 17, six or more points in the first year brings a six-month suspension.
• Full privileges come at 17, or after holding the license one year with no offenses or at-fault collisions. The SCDMV mails you a sleeve that you keep on your license.

The tests

• The first license needs a vision, knowledge and skills (road) test; a moped license needs no skills test.
• The knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs and driving safety rules. You fail if you leave the test area, talk to anyone, or bring in notes or any electronic device.
• Approved driver training schools can act as third-party testers.
• On the skills test you must provide a safe vehicle. Not wearing your seat belt is an automatic fail.
• After a failed skills test: wait two business days after the first fail, seven days after the second, 30 days after the third or later.

Moving, visiting and renewing

• New residents must get an SC license within 45 days.
• Most licenses last eight years and cost $25. Renewal needs a vision test or a vision certificate dated within 36 months.
• A license expired more than nine months means taking the vision, knowledge and skills tests again.

Points

• Points are cut in half one year after the violation date.
• At 17 or older, 12 points brings a suspension (a warning letter comes at six).
• A permit, conditional or special restricted holder with six or more points is suspended.
• An 8-hour classroom defensive driving course can reduce points, but only once every three years.