Columbia South Carolina Online Driver Education and Columbia South Carolina Licensing Procedures
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Columbia South Carolina Learner’s Permit or first Columbia South Carolina driver’s license. Columbia South Carolina has a Graduated Driver License Program for Columbia South Carolina teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Columbia South Carolina driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s get started.
The Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit or Columbia South Carolina Learner’s Permit
When you turn 15, you can finally apply for a Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit, otherwise known as a Columbia South Carolina Learner’s Permit. In order to apply, you need:
- Valid identification (an original birth certificate)
- Social Security Card
- Proof of Columbia South Carolina residency
- Proof of Insurance
Once you’re ready, head on down to your local Columbia South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a vision test, as well as a written exam. If you survive, then congratulations. You’ve just earned your Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit, which is valid for 1 year. Remember, you must practice driving with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed driver who is at least 21, has held a valid driver license for 1 year, and is sitting beside you. Of course, all passengers must wear seatbelts, and be sure to carry your Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit with you at all times.
Once you’ve held your Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit for 180 days and have met a few more requirements, you’ll be ready for the next step in the Columbia South Carolina Graduated License Program, the Columbia South Carolina Conditional License.
The Columbia South Carolina Junior Driver License and Columbia South Carolina Full Driver License
You can apply for your Columbia South Carolina Conditional License once you’ve held your Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit for 180 days and have met a few requirements:
- Hold your Columbia South Carolina Beginner’s Permit for at least 180 days in good standing
- Complete a Columbia South Carolina approved driver’s education course
- Complete 40 hours of driving practice with a supervising driver
- At least 10 hours must be at night
- Provide proof of satisfactory school attendance
- Fill out form PDLA (which certifies the above requirements)
If you’ve completed these requirements, then make an appointment and head on down to your local Columbia South Carolina DMV. Be sure to bring your identification documents, including your Columbia South Carolina Beginner Permit. Then you’ll have to take the dreaded Columbia South Carolina road test! If you pass, then congratulations. You’ve just earned your Columbia South Carolina Conditional License. However you’ll still have to drive with a few restrictions for the time being.
However, if you’re 16, you can also apply for a Columbia South Carolina Special Restricted License. You’ll need to head on down to your local Columbia South Carolina DMV with the following:
- Certification of school attendance
- Certification of Columbia South Carolina approved driver education course
- Certification of Driver Practice
When you turn 17, or have had your Columbia South Carolina Beginner’s Permit for 180 days without Columbia South Carolina traffic offenses or at-fault accidents, you can apply for your Columbia South Carolina Regular Driver’s License.
Columbia South Carolina Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
Although with supervision, you can still drive at any time, there are a few restrictions concerning your Columbia South Carolina Conditional License that you must follow:
- No driving between 6PM (or 8PM during daylight savings time) until midnight unless you have a licensed driver who is at least 21 accompanying you
- No driving from midnight to 6AM without your parent/guardian
- An exception to this driving curfew is if you’re driving to/from work, a volunteer fire department, rescue squad, or emergency medical service activity
- No more than two passengers under 21 unless accompanied by a licensed adult
- You can, however, transport family members under 21 to/from school
Be aware that if you’re under 17 and earn 6 or more points on your Columbia South Carolina driving record, your Columbia South Carolina Conditional License will be suspended for 6 months.
Once you turn 17 and have held your Columbia South Carolina Conditional License in good standing for 1 year, you can finally drive unrestricted. Freedom!
Columbia South Carolina Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Columbia South Carolina Limited Provisional Driver license, you’re ready to drive--or are you? Not quite yet, because Columbia South Carolina drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:
- $25,000 bodily injury for one person
- $50,000 bodily injury two or more people
- $25,000 for property damage per accident
If you are in an accident and found to be driving without Columbia South Carolina mandatory liability insurance, your Columbia South Carolina license could be suspended.
Columbia South Carolina Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a Columbia South Carolina teen driver, it’s important for you to learn the Columbia South Carolina drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Like most state, Columbia South Carolina has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Columbia South Carolina DUI or Columbia South Carolina DWI, you face addition penalties to those listed below.
Upon your first conviction of a Columbia South Carolina DUI with a blood alcohol concentration of .10, you’ll face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence from 48 hours to 30 days maximum
- Community Service 48 hours
- Fine of $400
- License Suspension 6 months
And of course, further Columbia South Carolina DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Columbia South Carolina license suspension or even Columbia South Carolina license revocation.
Currently, Columbia South Carolina teen drivers are not prohibited from using cell phones while driving.
Columbia South Carolina Online Driver Education
Columbia South Carolina teen drivers are required to take a Columbia South Carolina approved driver education course. You can find more information about approved Columbia South Carolina online driver education on the Columbia South Carolina DMV website.