License classes and the beginner's permit

Key points

1. Class D covers non commercial passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, up to 26,000 pounds.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-1

   “Class D: Allows you to drive non-commercial passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, which do not exceed 26,000 pounds GVW.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-1

2. Class E covers non commercial single unit vehicles over 26,000 pounds, such as motor homes.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-2

   “Class E: Allows you to operate noncommercial, single unit vehicles that exceed 26,000 pounds GVW. Examples of Class E vehicles include trucks and motor homes.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-2

3. Class G is a moped license, with a minimum age of 15.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-2

   “Class G: Allows you to operate a moped. If you have a valid driver's license or permit in any of the other four classifications, you are not required to obtain a license to drive a moped. (Minimum age 15).”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-2

4. You must carry a valid license, registration and insurance card when driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-3

   “When driving you must have a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and valid insurance card in your possession for the class of vehicle you are operating.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-3

5. For a beginner's permit you must be at least 15 and pass the vision and knowledge tests.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “You must be at least 15 years old. You must pass the vision and knowledge test.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

6. Permit holders may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight with a licensed driver at least 21 with one year of experience in the front seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “You may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has at least one year of driving experience is in the front seat with you.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

7. At 17 and under, you must hold the beginner's permit for at least 180 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-4

   “You must hold your beginner's permit for at least 180 days, if you are 17 years old and under,”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-4

8. At 18 and older, hold the permit at least 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-5

   “If you are 18 years and older, you must hold your beginner's permit for at least 30 days before you may apply for your driver's license.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-5

9. At 15 or 16, practice at least 40 hours, including ten hours of night driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 1-5

   “If you are 15 or 16, you must practice driving for at least 40 hours, including ten hours of night driving”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-5

10. One listed license requirement is a completed driver's education course: eight hours in the classroom and six hours driving.

    Source: Handbook p. 1-6

    “You completed a driver's education course (eight hours in the classroom and six hours driving).”
    South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 1-6

Numbers to know

3 questions from the South Carolina practice test

1. 1. What does a South Carolina Class D license allow you to drive?

   1. Any vehicle including tractor trailers
   2. Motorcycles of any size
   3. Non commercial passenger vehicles such as cars and trucks not exceeding 26,000 pounds GVW, plus a moped or three wheel vehicle
   4. Only vehicles under 10,000 pounds
   Show answer

   Non commercial passenger vehicles such as cars and trucks not exceeding 26,000 pounds GVW, plus a moped or three wheel vehicle. A Class D license allows you to drive non commercial passenger vehicles such as cars and trucks that do not exceed 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, and you may also operate a moped or a three wheel vehicle other than a two wheel motorcycle with a detachable sidecar. Class E covers non commercial single unit vehicles over 26,000 pounds, and Class F covers non commercial combinations over that weight.

2. 2. A driver age 17 or younger must hold a beginner's permit for how long before applying for a license?

   1. At least 90 days
   2. At least 30 days
   3. At least 180 days
   4. At least one year
   Show answer

   At least 180 days. For a driver who is 17 or younger, the beginner's permit must be held for at least 180 days before an application for a license can be made. The 30-day period belongs to applicants age 18 or older, so it is the most likely mix-up in this question. Ninety days and one year are not the waiting periods stated for this step. A useful memory cue is that the younger applicant waits through 180 days and may apply on day 181 or later, while the adult applicant follows the shorter 30-day rule.

3. 3. A 15- or 16-year-old permit holder must complete at least how much supervised practice, including how much at night?

   1. 30 hours, including 5 hours at night
   2. 40 hours, including 10 hours at night
   3. 50 hours, all during daylight
   4. 40 hours, with no night requirement
   Show answer

   40 hours, including 10 hours at night. Applicants who are 15 or 16 must practice for at least 40 hours, and 10 of those hours must be night driving with an eligible supervising person. The 30-hour option understates the total and night practice. Fifty daylight-only hours misses the required nighttime component, while 40 hours without night practice leaves out a specific condition. The practical cue is to split the requirement into a 40-hour total and a 10-hour nighttime subset, rather than treating those numbers as alternatives.

Source: the South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.