Long time ago, you could get a driver's license in South Carolina at 14.

[raccoon]

Long time ago, you could get a driver’s license in South Carolina at age 14.

That was before even my time.

Somebody told me decades ago that SC changed the law because Marshall Parker’s daughter was killed in a car accident. He was a Republican politician. Ran for Senator but I don’t think he got it. On the Internet I found he did have a daughter named Martha Barham Parker who pre-deceased him but I don’t know anymore details and I haven’t been able to find anything else.

Anybody know the story on this?

[SCantiGOP]

1. I remember him

Looked his short bio up on Wikipedia.
He switched to Rep Party in 1966 and lost the first two races that Fritz Hollings won for US Senator, and he also lost a Congressional race.

[k8conant]

2. Martha Barham Parker 11/13/1944 - 3/6/1959

Cause of death Crushed chest due to auto accident Clemson, SC

I found a copy of the death certificate on ancestry.com

I haven't yet found dates of driving minimum age.

[raccoon]

3. Thanks! nt

[SCantiGOP]

4. I was born in 1951

You could get a permit (drive during daylight with a licensed driver at least 21 in passenger seat) at 14, and after 6 months you could get a provisional license which allowed you to drive during the day until you were 16, at which time it transitioned to a full license.
I had my license shortly after I turned 15.

I went to a large High School with about 1,200 students. Each of the three years I was there we had one student killed in a car wreck, after which everyone would drive like a responsible adult for 2-3 weeks, and then went back to being young, stupid and (we thought) invincible.

[liberal N proud]

5. I grew up in Iowa and had a permit at 14

Drove from Iowa to LA at 15.

I now have 45 years of driving experience. Seen a lot of crap with many miles under my belt. 2 accidents neither my fault.

We had a full school year of drivers education with a licensed instructor/teacher.

All you have to today is throw $500 at a "private" driving school that will provide 4 hours actual driving and they give you a license.

Then, 2 years of driving with an adult driver plus public drivers education. Now $500 and a few hours.

[marble falls]

6. In Nebraska kids could get a license at 14 if they have to drive to school in rural areas...

there's still a lot of one/two room schools out there. Learner's permits can be issued to everyone else at 14, too.

[3Hotdogs]

7. Florida, too.