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South Carolina Supervised Driving Hours: Complete 2026 Guide
Before you can trade your learner’s permit for a license in South Carolina, you need 40 documented hours behind the wheel. 10 at night, 30 during the day. Here’s how the requirements break down and how to get through them without losing your mind.
South Carolina permit requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 40 |
| Daytime hours | 30 |
| Night hours | 10 |
| Minimum permit age | 15 |
| Minimum hold period | 6 months |
| Supervisor minimum age | 21 |
| Driver education required | No |
Night driving rules in South Carolina
South Carolina’s night hours shift with daylight saving time. During standard time (November through March), the window is 6 PM to 6 AM. During daylight saving time (March through November), it shifts to 8 PM to 6 AM.
Keep track of when the clocks change. A session that counts as “night” in November might not qualify in April.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and hold a valid license.
They need to sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and be ready to grab the wheel if needed. No scrolling, no napping, no backseat supervising. If you get pulled over and your supervisor doesn’t meet the requirements, that session might not count — and you could both get a citation.
Curfew restrictions
South Carolina has a curfew that shifts with daylight saving time. During standard time: no driving from 6 PM to 6 AM. During DST: 8 PM to 6 AM.
This is a hard rule. Getting pulled over during curfew hours with a learner’s permit means a citation and potential delays to your licensing timeline.
How to plan your 40 hours
You have a 6-month hold period in South Carolina. If you spread your hours evenly, that’s about 2 hours a week. Totally doable.
Here’s what a realistic schedule looks like:
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed (20 weeks) | 2 | 1 hour | ~20 weeks |
| Moderate (10 weeks) | 3-4 | 1 hour | ~10 weeks |
| Aggressive (7 weeks) | 5-6 | 1 hour | ~7 weeks |
Most families land somewhere in the moderate range. The key is consistency. Two sessions a week for six months beats cramming 10 hours into a single weekend. You learn more, retain more, and your supervisor won’t burn out.
Night hours are 25% of your total. Don’t save them all for the end. Mix in one evening session per week from the start and you’ll have them done well before the rest of your hours.
How South Carolina compares to other states
South Carolina’s 40-hour requirement puts it right around the middle of the pack. The most common requirement across all states is 50 hours (30 states use it).
New Hampshire requires the same 40 hours. Utah requires the same 40 hours.
See all state requirements for a complete comparison.
Tracking your driving hours
Tracking 40 hours on paper works right up until you lose the sheet. Or forget to log a session. Or can’t read your own handwriting. Moda logs every drive automatically, breaks it down by day, night, and shows you exactly how far you’ve come. When it’s time for the DMV, export your log in the format South Carolina requires.
Use the countdown to see when you’ll be eligible for your license.
How many supervised driving hours does South Carolina require?
South Carolina requires 40 total supervised driving hours. 10 must be at night and 30 during the day.
What counts as night driving in South Carolina?
Night driving in South Carolina is defined as 6 pm to 6 am (adjusts for daylight saving time). You need 10 hours of night driving to qualify for your license.
How long do I need to hold my permit in South Carolina?
You must hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months in South Carolina before you can take your road test.
How old do you have to be to get a learner’s permit in South Carolina?
You can apply for a learner’s permit in South Carolina at age 15.
Who can supervise a permit driver in South Carolina?
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old with a valid license.
Does South Carolina accept a digital driving log?
Most DMV offices accept printed driving logs. Moda generates a PDF in South Carolina’s required format that you can print and bring to your road test appointment.
How long does it take to finish 40 driving hours?
At 2-3 sessions per week, most families finish in 14 to 20 weeks. Some move faster with daily sessions, but spreading practice out leads to better skill retention.
Calculate your remaining hours
Enter the hours you've already completed to see what's left.