Obtaining a beginner's permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in South Carolina. You are eligible to apply for a beginner's permit if you are at least 15 years old and:

• you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
• you are a new resident of South Carolina who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than six months

[edit] HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL BEGINNER'S PERMIT

1. Download a copy of the South Carolina Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local DMV office.
2. If you are under 18 years of age, your parent or guardian must accompany you to sign the application.
3. Visit your local DMV office to submit the application form. You must bring with you:
4. Proof of identity and citizenship and South Carolina residency as specified by the DMV. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
5. Your Social Security card.
6. Proof of auto insurance.
7. The permit fee of $2.50 and the written test fee of $2.
8. You will be given a written knowledge test and an eye screening at the Driver License Center. If you pass these tests, you will be issued a beginner's permit, which you must hold for at least six months before you can apply for a regular license.

When driving with a beginner's permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 21 or older. This person must sit beside you. When driving between midnight and 6 am you must have your parent or guardian sitting beside you. If under 18 years of age, you must accumulate a minimum of 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience including ten of them at night. You must be under the direct supervision of an experienced adult driver with the beginner's permit.

[edit] THE CONDITIONAL AND RESTRICTED LICENSES

If you are under 16 and have held the beginner's permit for at least six months you are eligible for the conditional license. If you are 16 years of age or older and under 17 and have held the beginner's permit for at least six months you are eligible for the special restricted license. For both these licenses you also have to meet the following requirements:

1. You must have accumulated the minimum 40 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience.
2. You must submit a completed PDLA form to certify school attendance, driver education and driving practice.
3. You have to bring all the identification documents that you did for the beginner's permit.
4. You have to pass the vision test and the driving skills test. (You can schedule an appointment for the driving test by calling the local DMV office).

Driving restrictions while driving with a conditional or restricted license:

1. You are not permitted to drive alone between 6 pm and 6 am. Between 6 pm and midnight you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 21 or older. When driving between midnight and 6 am you must be accompanied by your parent or guardian.
2. You are not permitted to carry more than two unrelated passengers less than 21 years of age unless accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older.

[edit] THE REGULAR DRIVER'S LICENSE

A full, unrestricted license may be issued when you are at least 17 years old provided you have held a beginner's permit for at least six months. A conditional or restricted driver's license may be changed to a regular, non-commercial driver's license, provided you have held either of those for at least a year with out any traffic convictions.

[edit] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• For more information, see our Beginner Drivers section.
• See also Applying for a Drivers License.
• See also Driver's Education, Driving Schools and Practice Tests.
• Bear in mind that in order to drive legally in the state of South Carolina, you must have valid auto insurance. See our Auto Insurance section for more information, or to obtain a competitive quote on car insurance.