Supervising a New Driver in South Carolina: Parent's Guide
If your teen is going through South Carolina's graduated licensing system, your supervised-driving role is built into the law. Here's what your teen needs to log, what restrictions apply, and where parents most commonly slip up.
GDL stages and supervised-driving requirements
- Earliest permit age
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15
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-4
- Permit holding period (months)
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6
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-4 to 1-5
- Supervised driving hours required
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40
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-5 to 1-6
- Of which, night hours
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10
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-5 to 1-6
- Earliest intermediate license age
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15½
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-7
- Intermediate curfew — start time
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6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time)
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-7 to 1-8
- Intermediate curfew — end time
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6 a.m.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-7 to 1-8
- Intermediate passenger restriction
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Conditional and special restricted license holders may not have more than two passengers under age 21 in the vehicle unless accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21. The only exception is transporting family members or students to and from school.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-7 to 1-8
- Earliest full license age
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17
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-9
- Minimum age — learner permit
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15
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-4
- Minimum age — driver license
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15½
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-7
Phone laws for new drivers
- Handheld phone — banned for all drivers?
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yes
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3: Be in Shape to Drive, p. 3-4
- Texting — banned for all drivers?
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yes
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3: Be in Shape to Drive, p. 3-4
Seatbelt and passenger rules
- Seatbelt law enforcement
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primary
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 4: Before You Drive, p. 4-6
- Seats required to belt
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all seats
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 4: Before You Drive, p. 4-5 to 4-6
- Child seat — age threshold
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8
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 4: Before You Drive, p. 4-7 to 4-8
The South Carolina Permit-Phase Coaching Plan, free.
The parent's-eye view of the permit phase: South Carolina's GDL numbers, the supervised-hours ladder, how to coach mistakes without breaking confidence, and a test-week plan.
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