Minimum age for a car driving licence in South Carolina (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A beginner's permit is available from 15 and a conditional licence at 15 after 180 days on the permit, valid in daylight hours only. A special restricted licence follows at 16 and an unrestricted licence from 17. A nonresident aged 16 or over with a valid home licence may drive in South Carolina.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A beginner's permit is available from 15 and must be held 180 days before a conditional driver's licence (15 to under 16) or a special restricted licence (16 to under 17), each needing a driver's education course, 40 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) and school attendance. Both licences are valid only in daylight hours, require a licensed adult 21 or older after 6 p.m. (8 p.m. in daylight saving time), bar driving between midnight and 6 a.m. without a listed adult, and limit passengers under 21 to two. An unrestricted licence is available from 17, or from 16 after one year on the conditional licence without a conviction or at-fault accident. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A nonresident who is at least 16 and has in immediate possession a valid operator's licence from the home state or country may drive in South Carolina, provided the person keeps a permanent residence address there and has not moved residence to South Carolina. [1] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [1] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | A conditional or special restricted licence requires at least 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours in darkness. [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | Conditional and special restricted licence holders may drive alone only in daylight; after 6 p.m. (8 p.m. in daylight saving time) a licensed adult aged 21 or over must be present, and between midnight and 6 a.m. only with a licensed person listed in § 56-1-100(A). The department may waive the special restricted licence limits for work, school, church or sports travel. [1] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | Conditional and special restricted licence holders may not carry more than two passengers under 21 unless accompanied by a licensed adult aged 21 or over; family members and students travelling to or from school do not count. [1] |
Notes
- The earliest age is for a licence that allows driving without a supervising adult. It carries graduated-licensing restrictions, described under 'Driving before the minimum age'.
Sources
- South Carolina Legislature: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 1: Uniform Motor Vehicle Driver's License Act (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
South Carolina and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 15 (conditional licence, daylight only) | 15 (beginner's permit) | Permit 15; daylight-only licence at 15 | Nonresident 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Georgia | 16 (Class D provisional licence) | 15 (Class CP learner's permit) | Class D at 16-17 after 1 year + 1 day on a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Carolina | 16 (Level 2 limited provisional) | 15 (limited learner permit) | L1 at 15; L2 at 16 after 9 months; L3 after 6 more | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in South Carolina
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence (misdemeanour) · Growing at home: Prohibited
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (no small bottle rockets) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: No general rule; limits at schools · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No state minimum wage · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.