What Counts as Night Driving in South Carolina?

South Carolina requires 10 hours of night driving before you can get your license. But when does “night” actually start? That depends.

South Carolina’s Night Driving Definition

South Carolina adjusts its night hours based on daylight saving time.

During standard time (November to March): 6 PM to 6 AM

During daylight saving time (March to November): 8 PM to 6 AM

You need to know which period you’re in. Moda handles this automatically based on the date and your location.

What This Means for Your 10 Night Hours

South Carolina wants 10 hours of driving during the night window defined above. Out of your total 40 required hours, that’s the part most families put off.

Night drives are stressful. Parents don’t love being in the passenger seat when visibility drops. Teens are less confident. So the night hours pile up at the end and you’re scrambling.

Start mixing in night drives from month one. Even 20 minutes after dinner twice a week adds up to almost 3 hours a month.

Curfew vs. Night Hours

Don’t confuse night hours with curfew. South Carolina has a curfew for permit holders that shifts with the seasons. During standard time, no driving from 6 PM to 6 AM. During DST, it’s 8 PM to 6 AM.

You can still log night hours before curfew starts. If night begins at sunset (say 6 PM) and curfew starts at 6 PM, you have that window to practice.

South Carolina Permit Requirements Quick Reference

Requirement	Details
Total supervised hours	40
Day hours	30
Night hours	10
Night definition	6 PM to 6 AM (shifts with daylight saving time)
Minimum permit age	15
Permit hold period	6 months
Supervisor minimum age	21

Tracking Night Hours in South Carolina

Between the DST shifts and the changing curfew times, tracking night hours in South Carolina on paper is confusing. Moda knows which time period you’re in and applies the right rules automatically.

For full South Carolina permit requirements, see our South Carolina permit hours guide.

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