Minimum Driving Age
- Beginner’s Permit: Available at 15 years old.
- Conditional License: Eligible at 15½ years old, after holding the beginner’s permit for at least 180 days and completing driver education and supervised driving requirements.
- Regular Driver’s License: Available at 16 years old, after meeting all prior requirements.
Learner’s Permit Rules
- Supervision: Permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience, seated in the front passenger seat.
- Holding Period: Must hold the beginner’s permit for at least 180 days before applying for a conditional license.
- Practice Hours:
- 40 hours of supervised driving, including:
- 10 hours at night
- 40 hours of supervised driving, including:
License Types
- Beginner’s Permit: For practicing with a licensed adult.
- Conditional License: Intermediate license with restrictions for drivers under 16.
- Special Restricted License: For drivers aged 16 to 17, allowing unsupervised driving with certain restrictions.
- Regular Driver’s License: Available at 17 years old, or earlier if criteria are met.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Required for operating commercial vehicles.
- Motorcycle License: Required for operating motorcycles; applicants must pass a motorcycle knowledge test and skills test.
Required Documents for Driving
To apply for a permit or license in South Carolina, applicants must provide:
- Proof of Identity: Such as a birth certificate or valid passport.
- Proof of Social Security Number: Social Security card or approved document.
- Proof of South Carolina Residency: Two documents, such as utility bills, lease agreements, or school transcripts.
- Parental Consent: Required if under 18; parent or guardian must accompany the applicant or provide a notarized signature on the application.
- Driver Education Certificate: Required if under 17, showing completion of a state-approved driver education course.
Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws
- Children under 2 years: Must be secured in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat.
- Children aged 2 to 4: Must be secured in a forward-facing car seat in the back seat.
- Children aged 4 to 8: Must use a belt-positioning booster seat in the back seat until they can properly fit an adult seat belt.
- Children aged 8 and older or at least 57 inches tall: May use an adult seat belt if it fits properly across the thighs and chest.
- Seatbelt Use: All passengers aged 17 and older must wear seatbelts.
- Penalties: Violations may result in fines.
Childe Passenger Safety Information
Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Rules
- Handheld Device Use: Prohibited while driving. Drivers may not hold a phone to talk, text, email, or use apps.
- Hands-Free Use: Permitted through in-car systems or accessories like Bluetooth.
- Penalties:
- First offense: Fine of $100
- Subsequent offenses: Fine of $200 and possible points on the driver’s license
- First offense: Fine of $100
DUI Laws
- Legal BAC Limits:
- 21 and over: 0.08%
- Under 21: 0.02%
- 21 and over: 0.08%
- Penalties:
- First Offense:
- Fine: $400 or imprisonment for 48 hours to 30 days
- License Suspension: 6 months
- Possible enrollment in Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP)
- Fine: $400 or imprisonment for 48 hours to 30 days
- Second Offense:
- Fine: $2,100–$5,100
- Imprisonment: 5 days to 1 year
- License Suspension: 1 year
- Mandatory installation of Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
- Fine: $2,100–$5,100
- Third Offense:
- Fine: $3,800–$6,300
- Imprisonment: 60 days to 3 years
- License Suspension: 2 years
- Mandatory IID
- Fine: $3,800–$6,300
- First Offense:
Speed Limits
- School Zones: 25 mph during school hours
- Residential Areas: 30 mph
- Unpaved Rural Roads: 40 mph
- Multilane Divided Highways: 60 mph
- Interstate Highways: 70 mph
Reckless Driving Laws
- Definition: Operating a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
- Penalties:
- Classification: Misdemeanor offense
- Fine: Up to $445
- Imprisonment: Up to 30 days
- License Suspension: 3 months for second or subsequent offenses
- Points: 6 points added to the driver’s record
- Classification: Misdemeanor offense
Points System
- Point Accumulation:
- Various traffic violations result in points added to the driver’s record.
- Accumulating 12 or more points can lead to license suspension.
- Various traffic violations result in points added to the driver’s record.
- Point Reduction:
- Points are reduced by half after 12 months from the violation date.
- Points are removed entirely after 24 months.
- Completing a defensive driving course can reduce points.
- Points are reduced by half after 12 months from the violation date.
Insurance Requirements
- Liability Insurance: South Carolina requires minimum coverage of:
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage: $25,000 per accident
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Uninsured Motorist Coverage: Required with the same minimum limits as liability coverage.
Renewal Frequency and Testing
- License Renewal:
- Under 65: Every 8 years
- 65 and over: Every 5 years
- Under 65: Every 8 years
- Vision Test: Required at each renewal.
- Written/Driving Test: May be required if there are medical concerns or after certain violations.
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