A step-by-step guide to getting your SC beginner's permit and working through the GDL program to a full, unrestricted driver's license at age 17.
South Carolina's Graduated Driver's License (GDL) program runs in stages for teens age 15–17. It starts with a supervised beginner's permit, then progresses to a conditional license (15½–16), a special restricted license (16–17), and finally a full unrestricted license at 17. Each stage limits where, when, and with whom you can drive — and those restrictions are lifted over time if you stay offense- and collision-free.
Minimum age: 15. Hold at least 180 days if you are 17 or under (30 days if 18+). Fee: $2.50 per year.
Age 15½–16 (conditional) or 16 (special restricted). Drive alone 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (8 p.m. DST). Fee: $12.50.
At age 17, or after 1 year of conditional/special restricted with no violations. Valid 8 years. Fee: $25.
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a South Carolina beginner's permit. If you are under 18, you will need a parent or legal guardian to sign the Consent for Minor form (SCDMV Form 447-CM) in the presence of an SCDMV employee or agent.
Beginner's permits can only be issued in person at an SCDMV branch. Bring all required documents and a parent/legal guardian if you are under 18. You can find your nearest branch at dmv.sc.gov.
For U.S. citizens, bring original documents proving citizenship, identity, date and place of birth, Social Security number, and SC address. Reference the US Citizen's Checklist (SCDMV form MV-93) for the full list. Non-U.S. citizens should see the International Customers' Checklist (SCDMV form MV-94).
A free vision screening is offered at all SCDMV branches — you must meet at least 20/40 corrected vision in one eye. The knowledge test is 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the South Carolina Driver's Manual, covering state laws, rules of the road, and road signs. You must score at least 80% (20 correct out of 25) to pass. There is no time limit.
The beginner's permit fee is $2.50 per year. Permits are issued by the SCDMV on the same day you pass the tests.
Must be at least 15½ (conditional) or 16 (special restricted), have held the beginner's permit at least 180 days, completed driver's education and 40 hours (10 at night) of practice, and be enrolled in school with satisfactory attendance (not suspended or expelled).
Turn in the Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education and Driving Practice (SCDMV form PDLA), which your driver's education program provides once you complete the course.
Bring a safe vehicle with working headlights, brakes, mirrors, safety belts, defroster, turn signals, horn, wipers, and speedometer; valid plate, registration, and insurance card. You may be asked to perform lane changes, left/right turns, parallel parking, 100-ft straight-line backing, hill parking, two- and three-point turnabouts, and interstate driving. Not using your seat belt = automatic fail. If you fail: wait 2 business days (1st), 7 days (2nd), 30 days (3rd+) to retest.
Free, no signup · Questions verified against the official state driver manual