Driving Academy

By choosing National Safety Council Driving Academy, you are investing in excellence. Our Driving Academy enrollment fee is lower than other driving schools because we are a nonprofit organization with a mission to eliminate preventable injuries, death and loss in the communities we serve. Educating your student helps us achieve this mission.

Students must have a South Carolina beginner's permit before taking the Driving Academy program. You can apply for a driver's permit at age 15. 

While you may register for Driving Academy any time after you receive your permit, we recommend students complete the program closer to their eligibility date for the road test. This will ensure the information and practice they receive during the course are still fresh when it is time to take their road test.  

When Can I Take My Road Test? 

Drivers under age 17 are required to:

• hold a permit for at least 180 days and
• practice driving with an approved licensed individual* for at least 40-hours (30-hours daytime, 10-hours nighttime).

An approved licensed individual is typically a parent or guardian of the driver. See the SCDMV form for details. 

You must be at least 15 to apply for a beginner's permit in South Carolina. To receive your permit, you must take a knowledge test at the SCDMV. For more information, visit the SCDMV site. 

To get your license before the age of 17, you must complete a form of driver's education like Driving Academy. Most insurance companies also offer reduced rates for young drivers who have completed driver's education. 

You're not alone. This anxiety is very normal among parents of new drivers. While we understand you're nervous, we also want to emphasize how critical it is that you provide your child with the experience they need to become a comfortable and confident driver. The reality is that no amount of paid weekly instruction can replace daily driving exposure with parents. Rest assured that it's okay to start slow. Find places where you're comfortable (parking lots, neighborhoods and familiar routes) before graduating to busy streets and highways. 

You also have the option to pay for extra drive time with our instructors. Plus, know that your child is receiving a strong driving foundation with 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training and 8 hours of classroom education during our Driving Academy program. 

Explore more tips for parents, which we update during teen safety week. 

The following outlines the SCDMV graduated driver's license program, which is designed for people age 15 to 17. It allows you the opportunity to develop your driving skills with certain restrictions that are lifted as you move through the program. See the full details at the SCDMV site. 

Beginner's Permit

Once you've completed the above steps, you are eligible to take your road test to graduate to your conditional license. 

*Must drive with a licensed driver with at least one year of driving experience; after midnight, must drive with a licensed parent or guardian.

Conditional License

Once you've held your conditional license for a year with no traffic offenses or at-fault collisions, you may receive your restricted license. 

*Must be currently enrolled and have satisfactory school attendance. 

Restricted License

*GDL is not required if your first attempt at license is at age 17 or above. 
*Permit is required for any age if it's a first-time driver's license. 

Keys to Independence is a scholarship program for low-income and foster youth in the Midlands. Students must be referred by a program partner. Direct applications are not accepted by students or parents. Contact us for more information. 

SCNSC has an exclusive partnership to offer driver's ed at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. If your child attends Heathwood, register for a class at www.scnsc.org/heathwood.