Beginners permit — South Carolina Permit Test

To get a beginner's permit you must be at least 15 years old.

Setting a minimum age keeps the first stage of supervised practice for teenagers who can be expected to handle it.

You must be at least 15 years old.

To get a beginner's permit you must pass the vision and knowledge test.

A learner who cannot see the road or does not know the rules would be dangerous even with a supervisor beside them.

You must pass the vision and knowledge test.

With a beginner's permit you may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight with a qualified licensed driver in the front seat.

Late-night hours combine darkness, fatigue and impaired drivers, so a learner's ordinary practice window ends at midnight.

You may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience is in the front seat with you.

The licensed driver supervising a beginner's permit holder must be at least 21 years old.

An older supervisor is more likely to have the judgment to spot trouble and talk a learner through it.

You may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience is in the front seat with you.

The licensed driver supervising a beginner's permit holder must have at least 1 year of driving experience and sit in the front seat.

A brand-new driver cannot coach someone else, and a supervisor in the back seat cannot see or reach what the learner is doing.

You may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience is in the front seat with you.

A beginner's permit holder may drive after midnight only under the supervision of a licensed individual listed in SC Code 56-1-100(A)(1-7), such as a parent or legal guardian.

The riskiest hours are kept for the adults who are legally responsible for the learner, not for any licensed friend.

You may drive after midnight, but a licensed individual listed in SC Code §56-1-100(A) (1-7) must supervise you.

If you are 17 or under, you must hold your beginner's permit for at least 180 days before you may apply for any type of license.

Six months of supervised practice lets a young driver meet rain, night and heavy traffic before driving with fewer restrictions.

You must hold your beginner’s permit for at least 180 days, if you are 17 years old and under,

If you are 18 or older, you must hold your beginner's permit for at least 30 days before you may apply for your driver's license.

Adult beginners still need some supervised time on the road, though the waiting period is shorter than for teenagers.

If you are 18 years and older, you must hold your beginner’s permit for at least 30 days before you may apply for your driver’s license.

How old must you be to get a beginner's permit in South Carolina?

15 years old. Setting a minimum age keeps the first stage of supervised practice for teenagers who can be expected to handle it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.8: “You must be at least 15 years old.”