Test for driving permit at school

During his 20 years teaching driver's education at South Aiken High School in Aiken, S.C., Larry Nelson has seen many parents take time off work to drive their teens to the S.C. Division of Motor Vehicles to take beginner's permit tests.

It's not uncommon for those teens to fail the first time -- which means yet another time-consuming trip to DMV so teens can try again.

Now, in an effort to ease what can be a frustrating process, the DMV is beginning a pilot program at South Aiken High that would allow students within six months of their 15th birthday to take the permit test at school, instead of a DMV office.

"We're taking it to them, instead of them coming to us," said DMV spokeswoman Beth Parks.

If the student passes the test, he or she will be given a sealed envelope to take to the DMV. The student must still take a parent along to present identification and pass the vision test, but the visit would be shorter.

The pilot program is one of several reforms at DMV, which came under fire more than a year ago after complaints about long lines and poor service.

Under a law passed in June, the department created new Saturday office hours at some branches. Drivers also can get tag renewal stickers and registrations from county treasurers' offices or private entities. Driver's license expiration dates have been extended from five to 10 years for most people. And the agency can now contract with public and private entities to administer driving tests.

"When you look at where the DMV was last year compared to now -- and, more importantly, compared to where we're going -- it's the perfect case study for the need for restructuring," said Gov. Mark Sanford's spokesman Will Folks.

The first tests at South Aiken will be given by DMV officials at the school. The pilot program will continue until the end of the school year, when officials will review the results and decide whether to expand the effort.

Florida already has a similar program that allows the test to be given in schools, and Mississippi also is beginning a pilot, Parks said.

"We're trying to come up with as many ways as we can to save time for our customers," Parks said. "If you save time, you save money."

South Aiken students had to sign up with their driver's ed instructor to take the permit test. Students could choose to take the test with or without a class that reviews the S.C. driver's manual.

"We thought it was a real convenience for our community and for the DMV," said instructor Nelson.