How to get a South Carolina Driver's License
Find out how to get a new SC driver's license, replace your out-of-state license and requirements for international drivers with this South Carolina DMV guide.
The Rules
Under SC DMV guidelines, you must be at least 17 years of age and have held a beginner's permit for 180 days to apply for a regular South Carolina Drivers License.
All applicants need to be familiar with the South Carolina Driver's Manual. Think you know the material? Take our DMV practice test now and test your driving knowledge.
First Time Drivers
If this is your first driver's license, you will need to apply for an South Carolina learners permit which requires you to pass a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques in addition to vision test.
Once you receive a valid learners permit, you will then need to pass a road skills test to receive an SC drivers license.
Applicants under 18 must have held a learners permit for 180 days and complete 50 hours of supervised driving time before taking the road skills test.
New SC Residents
If you are a new resident, you may use a valid driver's license from your former state for up to 90 days. However, you must convert to a South Carolina driver's license before the end of the 90-day period.
The written exam and road skills tests are not required to change a valid out-of-state license to a SC driver's license, however you will need to pass a vision exam.
If your driver's license from your home state has expired, you must also pass the knowledge and road tests.
International Drivers
All persons authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to live, work or study in the United States on a temporary or permanent basis will be eligible to apply for a beginner's permit, driver's license.
If you are applying for a driver's license, you must also submit a valid driver's license from your country of origin as proof of prior driving experience. If your out-of-country license has expired for more than nine months, you will have to take the knowledge and road tests.
Drivers from other countries may obtain a South Carolina driver's license without taking a test other than the vision test if South Carolina has reciprocity with their home country. The following countries have reciprocity with South Carolina for noncommercial vehicles: France, Germany, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau for regular driver licenses only.
Paperwork
Before you head to the South Carolina DMV Office, make sure you have all of the following required documents to get your driver's license:
On the Road
Once your licensing requirements have been met, your Class D driver's license will be valid for 10 years (for those under 65). Remember... the safe operation of a vehicle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the other drivers and the environment.
Driver's License Resources
South Carolina Driver's Manual |
