South Carolina graduated driver licence stages

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the four South Carolina license stages in order.
• You can explain the difference between a conditional and a special restricted license.
• You can state the hours a teen may drive alone and when a supervisor is needed.
• You can explain how and when full driving privileges are earned.

What you need to know and understand

• Beginner's permit: from age 15, after passing the vision and knowledge tests.
• Conditional license: from 15 and a half up to 16, after the vision and skills tests.
• Special restricted license: for drivers aged 16 who meet the same requirements, or who already hold a conditional license.
• Both teen licenses allow solo driving from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time.
• No more than two passengers under 21 unless a licensed adult 21 or older is with you; family members and students going to or from school are exempt.
• Full privileges come at 17, or after one year on a teen license with no traffic offenses and no at-fault collisions.

The four stages at a glance

Before either teen license, drivers aged 15 or 16 must complete driver education (8 hours in the classroom and 6 hours of driving), log at least 40 hours of practice including 10 at night, be enrolled in school with satisfactory attendance, and pass the road test.

1. Beginner's permit (age 15 or older): drive only with a qualified supervisor, for at least 180 days if you are 17 or under.
2. Conditional license (15 and a half to under 16): limited solo driving in the daytime.
3. Special restricted license (16 to under 17): the same daytime and passenger limits, with an optional waiver for work or activities.
4. Regular license: full privileges at 17, or after a clean year on a teen license.

When a teen driver may be on the road

The conditional and special restricted licenses share the same time rules. The evening cut-off moves with the clocks, so check whether daylight saving time is in effect before you plan a trip.

• 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. in daylight saving time): you may drive alone.
• From 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m.) to midnight: a licensed driver aged 21 or older must be with you.
• Midnight to 6 a.m.: only with a licensed person who qualifies under SC Code 56-1-100(A), such as a parent or legal guardian.
• A 16-year-old with a special restricted or conditional license may apply for a waiver to drive alone until midnight for work or certain activities. The waiver never covers driving after midnight.

Keeping your record clean

Points matter more for teens. If you are under 17 and collect six or more points before you have held your license for a year, it is suspended for six months. Permit, conditional and special restricted licenses are also suspended for excessive points at six points.

When you earn full privileges, you do not need to visit a branch. SCDMV mails you a sleeve that wraps around your license, and you must keep the license in it to use your full privileges.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a special restricted license is a step up from a conditional one. They have the same limits; the name depends on your age when you pass.
• Forgetting the solo cut-off is 6 p.m. in winter. It only stretches to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time.
• Picking up three school friends for a weekend trip. Without a licensed adult 21 or older, only two passengers under 21 are allowed, unless they are family or students going to or from school.
• Throwing away the sleeve SCDMV mails you. Without the sleeve on your license you cannot use full privileges.

Test yourself: South Carolina graduated driver licence stages

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• SC Permit Test Guide
• SC Conditional License Restrictions and Special Restricted Rules
• South Carolina Permit Practice Test