Free South Carolina DMV Practice Test (2026)

South Carolina · Checked October 2026

Practice for the South Carolina permit test with a learning path built around the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles rules: a South Carolina-only module on the state's own laws and teen-license limits, core rules-of-the-road lessons, instant explanations and a timed exam simulation.

Start learning About the South Carolina test

Loading practice test...

South Carolina permit test at a glance

QuestionsNot published

To passSee handbook

Min. permit age15

AgencySCDMV

SCDMV does not publish the number of questions or the passing score online. You take the vision and knowledge tests at any SCDMV branch (arrive before 4 p.m.) or with an SCDMV-authorized One-Stop third-party tester; the knowledge test costs $2 and the permit $2.50. No notes, manuals or phones are allowed, and talking to anyone or leaving the test area means you fail. SCDMV offers a free practice app called SC DMV Driver Exam.

The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles does not publish the exact number of questions, so our timed simulation uses a standard 25-question format with the official passing score.

Tip: Start with module 1, “South Carolina laws & permit rules”. These 12 questions cover rules that are specific to South Carolina, the part of the test that general study guides usually miss.

South Carolina traffic laws you will be tested on

Topic	South Carolina rule	Source
Hands-free law	Under the SC Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act you may not hold or support a phone with any part of your body, read or send texts, or watch videos while driving. Fines: $100 for a first offense; $200 and 2 points for later offenses.	dmv.sc.gov
Under-21 alcohol limit	If you are under 21 and have a BAC of 0.02% or more, your driving privilege is suspended immediately for at least 3 months. Refusing the alcohol test means losing your privilege for at least 6 months.	dmv.sc.gov
DUI and implied consent	Driving with a BAC of 0.08% or more is illegal (DUAC), and you can still be convicted of DUI at a lower BAC if you are impaired. By driving, you agree to breath, blood or urine testing; refusing can cost you your license.	scstatehouse.gov
Seat belts (primary law)	The driver and every passenger must wear a seat belt, and police can stop you just for not buckling up. The driver is responsible for passengers 17 and younger (unless they hold their own license or permit).	scstatehouse.gov
Child passenger seats	Children under 2 ride rear-facing in a back seat; then a forward-facing harness seat; from age 4 a booster seat in the back until the adult belt fits. A child at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall may use the adult belt if it fits properly.	scstatehouse.gov
Move-over law	When you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, slow down significantly and, on highways with at least two lanes in your direction, move to a lane not next to it if safe. Violations carry a fine of $300 to $500.	scstatehouse.gov
Default speed limits	Unless posted otherwise: 30 mph in urban districts, 40 mph on unpaved roads and 55 mph elsewhere. Where signs are posted, the limit can be 60 mph on multilane divided primary highways and 70 mph on interstates.	scstatehouse.gov
Headlights and wipers	Turn on your headlights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, whenever your wipers are on because of rain, sleet or snow (not just intermittent mist), and when you cannot see people or vehicles 500 feet ahead.	scstatehouse.gov

South Carolina learner permit and teen license rules

Hold your beginner's permit at least 180 days if you are 17 or younger (at least 30 days if you are 18 or older) before the road test.
With a permit you may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight with a licensed driver who is at least 21 and has 1 year of experience in the front seat; from midnight to 6 a.m. only with a parent, guardian or other qualified adult listed in SC Code 56-1-100.
If you are 15 or 16: complete driver's education (8 hours in class and 6 hours driving), keep satisfactory school attendance, and log at least 40 hours of practice including 10 at night, certified on Form PDLA.
Conditional license (age 15 and a half) or Special Restricted License (age 16): drive alone only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time); with a licensed driver 21+ until midnight; after midnight only with a qualified adult.
No more than two passengers under 21 unless a licensed adult 21 or older is with you (family members and students going to or from school are exempt).
If you are under 17 and get 6 or more points before holding your license 1 year, your license is suspended for 6 months.
Restrictions end at 17, or after 1 year with your conditional or special restricted license with no traffic offenses or at-fault crashes; SCDMV mails you a sleeve for your license.

How to get your South Carolina learner's permit

Study the South Carolina Driver's License Manual and practice with the free SC DMV Driver Exam app.
Gather your documents: Social Security number, a government-issued birth certificate and proof of your current physical address (two proofs for a REAL ID). The US Citizens' Checklist (Form MV-93) or the Lawfully Present Non-US Citizens' Checklist (Form MV-94) lists accepted documents.
If you are under 18, bring a qualified adult (such as a parent or guardian) with a photo ID to sign the Consent for Minor (Form 447-CM) at the branch, along with the application (Form 447-NC).
Visit an SCDMV branch before 4 p.m. (or a One-Stop third-party tester) and pass the vision test and the knowledge test ($2). An eye doctor can also submit your vision results electronically.
Pay $2.50 for your Class D beginner's permit and practice only within the permit hours and supervision rules.
After the holding period and (if 15 or 16) driver's ed and 40 practice hours, take the road test in an insured vehicle. If you fail, wait 2 business days, then 7 days after a second failure and 30 days after a third.

Sample South Carolina-specific questions

Here are four of the 12 questions in our South Carolina module. Each one is based on the official South Carolina Driver's License Manual or South Carolina law; open the answer to see the rule behind it.

1. With a South Carolina Class D beginner's permit, during what hours may you drive with a licensed driver who is at least 21 and has 1 year of experience?

5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
6 a.m. to midnight
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Any time of day or night

Show answer

Correct answer: 6 a.m. to midnight. The permit is valid from 6 a.m. to midnight with a licensed driver 21+ who has 1 year of experience. From midnight to 6 a.m. only a parent, guardian or other qualified adult may supervise. Source: dmv.sc.gov

2. If you are 16, how long must you hold your beginner's permit before you can apply for a license?

90 days
120 days
180 days
One full year

Show answer

Correct answer: 180 days. Drivers 17 and younger must hold the beginner's permit at least 180 days and may apply on the 181st day. Source: dmv.sc.gov

3. A new driver who is 19 gets a beginner's permit. How long must they hold it before taking the road test?

At least 30 days
At least 60 days
At least 90 days
At least 180 days

Show answer

Correct answer: At least 30 days. Applicants 18 and older must hold the permit at least 30 days and may test on the 31st day. This shorter period does not apply to motorcycle permits. Source: dmv.sc.gov

4. How much supervised driving practice must a 15- or 16-year-old complete before getting a first license?

30 hours, including 5 at night
50 hours, including 10 at night
60 hours, including 15 at night
40 hours, including 10 at night

Show answer

Correct answer: 40 hours, including 10 at night. South Carolina requires at least 40 hours of practice, including 10 hours at night, with a qualified adult, certified on Form PDLA. Source: dmv.sc.gov

How this practice test works

Learn the South Carolina rules first: module 1 covers the state's permit test, teen-license limits and traffic laws.
Work through the core modules: signs, signals, right-of-way, speed, lanes, special situations, impairment and sharing the road.
Practice 5 questions at a time: every answer shows an explanation, and missed questions come back until you get them right.
Take the timed South Carolina exam simulation and review every mistake before your appointment.

Frequently asked questions

I'm 18. Do I still have to wait 180 days with my permit?

No. Since late 2024, drivers 18 and older only need to hold the beginner's permit for 30 days and can take the road test on the 31st day. The 180-day rule still applies if you are 17 or younger.

Can I drive after midnight with my beginner's permit?

Only if you are supervised by a parent, guardian or another qualified adult listed in SC Code 56-1-100 (for example, an adult with notarized written permission from your parent). From 6 a.m. to midnight any licensed driver 21+ with 1 year of experience can supervise you.

What is the special restricted license waiver?

If you are 16 and have a special restricted or conditional license, you can apply for a waiver that lets you drive alone until midnight for work or certain activities. You need Form 447-NC, a signed letter from your school, job or activity, a letter from your parent, a vision test and $25. It never allows driving after midnight.

What happens if I fail the road test?

After a first failure you wait 2 business days to retest (fail on Monday, return Thursday). After a second failure you wait 7 calendar days, and after a third or later failure you wait 30 calendar days.

Are these the real DMV test questions?

No. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles does not publish its exam. Our South Carolina module is written from the official handbook and state law, and the core modules cover the rules of the road taught in every state handbook.

Is this practice test free?

Yes. Every lesson, practice round and exam simulation is free, with no sign-up.

More South Carolina tests

South Carolina road signs test South Carolina motorcycle test South Carolina CDL test DMV handbooks

Official South Carolina sources

Every South Carolina fact and question on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official handbook, the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles website or South Carolina law. When an official source did not publish a detail (for example, the number of test questions), we say so instead of guessing. Rules change, so confirm with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles before your test. PracticePermit.us is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with any government agency. How we write and check our questions.

More free practice tests