Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! We are authorized to administer the South Carolina Skills (Road) Test.

No, an appointment is not required. But don't go in a hurry, the DMV reserves the right to re-test any of our students, and they do so randomly.

They do not re-test regularly, but they do reserve the right to re-test any students and will do so randomly.

Yes, we do accept payments for the course. Full balance must be paid before starting the class.

We use an online scheduling system. You will receive a username and password after completing the classroom portion.

We will work around any schedule.

All 15 & 16 year old drivers are required to take a SC State Certified drivers education course, that includes 8 hours classroom instruction, 6 hours behind the wheel instruction with a SC Certified driving instructor. The 15 & 16 year old students must also have their permit for 6 months, and log 40 hours of behind the wheel practice time with a licensed driver 21 years or older.

SC Issues a drivers "permit". The minimum age is 15.

No. The student is not required to have a valid permit to take the classroom or behind the wheel lessons with a certified driving school, but they must have a valid permit to practice their driving with anyone else.

If it has been expired for more than 9 months: Yes; otherwise, No you just go to the DMV and renew the permit.

One year after issue date

You must have a beginners permit for 6 months no matter what age you are. At 15 you will have a beginners permit also known as the provisional conditional license. If the student remains at a "no fault accident free", the license will automatically become a graduated license. No need to go back to the DMV until you have taken your road test.

No, you only have to go to the DMV 2 times in the licensing process. One time to take your permit test, and then again to get your regular license.

The permit test is the ONLY written test at the DMV.

One Beginners/teen course is 8 hours of classroom instruction, normally completed in one day on Saturdays. Check website calendar for updates to classroom dates. Then the behind the wheel instruction is scheduled in hourly lessons, broken down in to two or three hour sessions.

Not to worry! Our instructors are patient and understanding of new drivers. They will teach the students step by step maneuvers to be successful.

YES, all properly equipped drivers education vehicles are required to have an "instructor brake" on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Yes, as long as the location is within our service area.

No, a registration fee is not required.

Yes we do accept payments for the course.

We use an online scheduling system. You will receive a username and password after completing the classroom portion.

We will work around any schedule.

You can get your drivers permit at age 15.

Study the DMV Drivers handbook, and call A-1 Driving School to make an appointment to take the test with us OR go to the DMV to take the permit test.

• If you take the permit test with the DMV the cost is $2.50

You can drive a licensed vehicle as long as a licensed driver, who is 21 years or older is in the front passenger seat with you.

Permits are valid for one year from the issue date.

You will have to go to the DMV to renew your permit.

State laws vary. Please contact the police department in the state where you will be traveling/driving to make sure it is legal for you to drive with a SC permit.

You will have to visit the DMV to get your permit replaced.