How many practice hours do you need in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a learner driver must log 40 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.
South Carolina learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Supervised practice required: 40 hours total, 10 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 180 days
- License eligibility age: 15½
- How hours are certified: SCDMV Form PDLA (Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education, and Driving Practice), from a driver training school or high school. DriveMint fills in the DL-008A Supervised Driving Log from your logged drives (see every state form).
South Carolina requires 40 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 at night. Applicants under 17 must also complete an approved driver-education course.
When can you drive with a permit in South Carolina?
South Carolina's beginner's permit has a curfew. From 6 a.m. to midnight, you can drive with a licensed driver 21 or older who has at least a year of experience. From midnight to 6 a.m., only a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult can supervise.
With a licensed driver 21 or older who has at least one year of driving experience, in the front seat.
Only with a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult in the front seat.
Alone until 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time). After that, only with a licensed driver 21+.
Only with a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult.
Same as the conditional license, or alone until midnight with a DMV waiver for work, school, church or sports.
Only with a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult.
- A qualified adult is someone who can sign a minor's permit application: a parent, guardian or custodian, someone who has acted as a parent for at least 60 days, or a responsible adult with notarized written permission from one of them.
- You must hold the permit for at least 180 days before the road test, and full privileges come at 17, or after a year on a conditional or special restricted license with no traffic offenses or at-fault crashes.
Any licensed driver 21+ can ride with you before midnight, but only hours supervised by a parent, guardian or other qualified adult count toward the 40 (10 in darkness). In December, sunset is before 5:30 p.m. across South Carolina.
Checked against S.C. Code §56-1-50 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the South Carolina DMV before applying.
South Carolina's graduated licensing stages
Drive 6 a.m.–midnight with a licensed adult 21+ (after midnight, only with a parent or guardian); hold 180 days and log 40 hours (10 at night).
Alone 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time); passenger limits apply.
Same limits as the conditional license; a waiver can allow driving alone until midnight for work or activities.
Full privileges at 17, or after one year on a conditional or special restricted license with no traffic offenses or at-fault crashes.
Driving restrictions for new South Carolina drivers
Conditional and special restricted license holders may drive alone only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time). Until midnight a licensed driver 21+ must be with them, and from midnight to 6 a.m. a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult.
Conditional and special restricted license holders may carry no more than two passengers under 21 unless a licensed adult 21+ is with them. Family members and students riding to or from school don't count.
Texting while driving is banned for all South Carolina drivers.
Log every South Carolina practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 40 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
South Carolina driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in South Carolina?+
South Carolina requires 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in South Carolina?+
South Carolina's beginner's permit is valid from 6 a.m. to midnight, with a licensed driver 21 or older who has at least one year of driving experience in the seat beside the permit holder. From midnight to 6 a.m., a permit holder may drive only with a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult. After the road test, conditional (age 15) and special restricted (age 16) license holders may drive alone only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or 8 p.m. during daylight saving time. Until midnight they need a licensed driver 21 or older, and from midnight to 6 a.m. a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult.
How many hours does South Carolina require?+
40 hours of supervised driving including at least 10 at night, logged during the 180-day beginner's permit period.
Can you get a license at 15 in South Carolina?+
A restricted license is available at 15½ after holding a beginner's permit for 180 days and completing the 40 required practice hours.
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.