Teen Driver Insurance in South Carolina

Tojocu Editorial Team | Last verified: April 2026

South Carolina operates a graduated driver license program designed for people ages 15 to 17 that allows teens the opportunity to develop driving skills while restricting nighttime and unsupervised driving initially, with these restrictions lifted over time. Teens earn full driving privileges at age 17, or after keeping their conditional or special restricted license for one year without traffic offenses or at-fault collisions. The system progresses through distinct stages, beginning with a learner's permit and advancing through conditional or special restricted licenses before granting full privileges.

Licensing Timeline

Teens may obtain a beginner's permit at age 15 by passing vision and written tests with parent/guardian consent. After holding the permit for 180 days and meeting educational requirements, 15.5-year-olds are eligible for a conditional license, while 16-year-olds may qualify for a special restricted license. Full unrestricted licenses become available after maintaining a restricted license for 12 months with no violations, or automatically at age 17.

GDL Restrictions

Conditional license holders may drive unsupervised from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time), must be supervised by an adult age 21+ from dusk to midnight, and require parent/guardian supervision after midnight. Passenger restrictions limit conditional license holders to two passengers under age 21, with exceptions for family members, school transportation, or when supervised by a licensed adult 21+ with one year experience. Special restricted license holders aged 16 may obtain waivers allowing unsupervised driving until midnight for work or extracurricular activities.

Permit holding period: 180 days minimum. Nighttime restriction: Conditional license: No unsupervised driving 6 p.m. to midnight (8 p.m. during daylight saving time); No driving midnight to 6 a.m. without parent/guardian. Passenger restriction: No more than 2 passengers under age 21. Cell phone restriction: Texting while driving illegal statewide. Supervisor requirement: Licensed driver age 21+ with 1+ year experience. Nighttime exceptions include: With licensed adult 21+ after 6 p.m./8 p.m., With parent/guardian midnight to 6 a.m.. Passenger exceptions include: Family members, With licensed adult 21+ present, Transporting students to/from school.

Insurance Requirements

South Carolina requires minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage, plus mandatory uninsured motorist coverage at the same minimum levels (25/50/25). The state does not mandate Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage under its tort-based insurance system. Uninsured motorist coverage carries a typical $200 deductible, while underinsured motorist coverage remains optional but recommended.

Minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person / $50,000 per accident / $25,000 property damage. Insurance system: at-fault. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required. Uninsured motorist required at 25/50/25 minimums; Underinsured motorist optional.

Insurance Considerations for Teen Drivers

Teen drivers represent higher risk categories and typically face significantly elevated insurance premiums when added to family policies. Insurance companies may offer various discounts for good student performance, driver education course completion, or safe driving programs, making it worthwhile for families to shop among multiple insurers for competitive rates and coverage options tailored to new drivers.

Practice Paths to Licensure

Option 1: Standard pathway with driver education course, 40 hours supervised practice, 180-day permit holding period. 40 supervised hours required; 10 night hours required; driver education required; road test required.

Fees

Permit fee: $2.50. License fee: $25. Plus $2 test fee for permit.