SC Permit Practice Test

You must be 15 years old to apply for a beginner’s permit (also called a learner’s permit) in South Carolina. This applies to all first-time permit applicants regardless of prior driving experience.

When you apply for a beginner’s permit in South Carolina you will need to bring:

• Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
• Two proofs of South Carolina residency
• Social Security card or proof of your Social Security number
• Proof of school attendance (if you’re under 18)
• Payment for the application fee

If you’re applying for a REAL ID compliant license additional documentation may be required. Check the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) website for current accepted documents.

Yes. If you’re under 18 a parent or legal guardian must:

• Sign your permit application in person at the SCDMV
• Provide proper identification
• Accept financial responsibility for you

The application process in South Carolina is as follows:

1. Visit your local SCDMV office with all required documents
2. Complete an application form (Form 447-NC)
3. Provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number
4. If under 18, provide proof of school attendance
5. Have your parent or guardian sign the application
6. Pay the application fee
7. Pass the vision test
8. Pass the knowledge test

No, you cannot apply online for a beginner’s permit in South Carolina. You must visit an SCDMV office in person to complete the application, provide your documents, take your vision test, and complete your knowledge test.

The South Carolina DMV charges a fee for a beginner’s permit. This fee covers the cost of processing your application, the knowledge test, and issuing your permit. Check the South Carolina DMV website for current fee information.

To get your beginner’s permit in South Carolina you must pass:

• A vision test to make sure you can see well enough to drive safely
• A knowledge test with multiple-choice questions about traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices

The South Carolina permit knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 24 questions correctly (80%) to pass the test.

The South Carolina permit test covers:

• Traffic laws and regulations
• Road signs and signals
• Right-of-way rules
• Safe driving practices
• Penalties for violating traffic laws
• Alcohol and drug effects on driving

The best ways to prepare for your South Carolina permit test:

• Study the South Carolina Driver’s Manual thoroughly, available on our website at South Carolina Driver’s Manual
• Take our free practice tests that simulate the actual permit test
• Review the test materials multiple times to ensure you understand the key concepts
• Focus especially on road signs and traffic laws

If you fail the South Carolina permit test:

• You can retake the test after waiting one day
• You will need to pay a retest fee for each subsequent attempt
• Consider additional study time between attempts to improve your chances of passing

With a South Carolina beginner’s permit you can:

• Practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
• Gain experience to prepare for your conditional or regular driver’s license

When driving with a beginner’s permit in South Carolina you:

• Must have a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the passenger seat
• Can only drive between 6 a.m. and midnight
• Cannot use any electronic devices while driving
• Must ensure all occupants wear seat belts
• Cannot drive alone under any circumstances

In South Carolina the requirements depend on your age:
If you are under 17:

• You must hold your beginner’s permit for at least 180 days (6 months)
• Complete 40 hours of practice driving, including 10 hours of night driving

If you are 17 or older:

• You must hold your beginner’s permit for at least 180 days
• No specific number of practice hours is required, though additional practice is recommended

South Carolina has different driver education requirements based on your age:

• If you are under 17: Yes, you need to complete 8 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training
• If you are 17 or older: No formal driver education is required, though it’s still recommended

In South Carolina, before you get your driver’s license the requirements depend on your age:

• If you are under 17:
  • Complete 8 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training
  • Complete 40 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with someone at least 21 years old
• If you are 17 or older: No formal driver education is required, though it is beneficial

You can find South Carolina-approved driver education programs by:

• Checking your high school’s offerings
• Visiting the South Carolina DMV website for a list of licensed driving schools
• Looking for programs that meet the state’s requirements for classroom and behind-the-wheel training

The South Carolina road test checks:

• If you can safely operate the vehicle
• If you follow traffic laws and signs
• Basic maneuvers like turns, lane changes, and parking
• Awareness of other road users
• Good decision making in various traffic situations

Before you start, the SCDMV examiner will check your vehicle to ensure it’s properly registered, insured, and in safe operating condition.

You can schedule your road test in South Carolina by:

• Visiting an SCDMV office that offers road tests
• Making an appointment through the SCDMV website
• Calling your local SCDMV office

Note: Not all SCDMV offices offer road tests, so check the website for locations that provide this service.

On the day of your road test in South Carolina, bring:

• Your beginner’s permit
• A properly registered and insured vehicle for the test
• A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
• Proof of insurance for the vehicle
• Vehicle registration
• If you’re under 17, proof that you’ve completed driver education and the required practice hours

Common reasons for failing the South Carolina road test include:

• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Rolling through stop signs instead of coming to a complete stop
• Driving too fast or too slow for conditions
• Improper lane positioning or lane changes
• Not yielding to pedestrians or other vehicles
• Lack of steering control
• Poor awareness of surroundings
• Inability to parallel park

To convert your beginner’s permit to a driver’s license in South Carolina:
If you are under 17:

• Hold your beginner’s permit for at least 180 days (6 months)
• Complete a driver education course
• Complete at least 40 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night)
• Pass the road test
• Pay the license fee

If you are 17 or older:

• Hold your beginner’s permit for at least 180 days
• Practice driving with your permit
• Pass the road test
• Pay the license fee

South Carolina’s graduated licensing program has these stages:

• Beginner’s Permit: Must be at least 15 years old and pass the knowledge test. Valid for one year.
• Conditional License (for drivers under 17): Must have held a beginner’s permit for at least 180 days, completed driver education, and passed the road test.
• Regular License: Available directly to those 17 and older after holding a beginner’s permit for 180 days, or automatically when a conditional license holder turns 17.

As a new driver under 17 in South Carolina with a conditional license, you will have these restrictions:

• No driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian (exceptions apply for work or school functions with proper documentation)
• No more than two passengers under 21, unless accompanied by a licensed adult at least 21 years old (family members are exempt)

These restrictions end when you turn 17 and receive a regular license.

South Carolina does not recognize out-of-state permits for driving privileges. If you are moving to South Carolina with an out-of-state permit:

• You will need to apply for a South Carolina beginner’s permit
• You may be able to use your out-of-state driver education documentation to satisfy certain requirements

South Carolina offers the following accommodations for applicants with disabilities:

• Audio versions of the driver handbook
• Oral knowledge tests
• Interpreters for the hearing impaired
• Extended testing time
• The ability to use special equipment in your own vehicle for the driving test
• Contact your local SCDMV office before your appointment to request accommodations

Yes, non-U.S. citizens can get a beginner’s permit in South Carolina by providing:

• Proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate)
• Proof of lawful status in the United States
• Proof of South Carolina residency
• Social Security number or proof of ineligibility

Visit the South Carolina DMV website for more information on documentation requirements for non-citizens.

You can download a copy of the South Carolina Driver’s Manual here. Physical copies are also available at any SCDMV office.

Yes! We offer free South Carolina-specific practice tests that mimic the actual permit test. Our practice tests are designed to help you study the material and get comfortable with the test format before your exam.

For more information about the South Carolina permit process:

• Visit the South Carolina DMV website at scdmvonline.com
• Call the SCDMV at 803-896-5000 during business hours
• Visit your local SCDMV office
• For hearing impaired assistance, call 711 and ask the operator to connect you to the SCDMV

If you lose your South Carolina beginner’s permit:

• You must visit an SCDMV office in person
• Bring proof of your identity
• Pay the replacement fee
• Fill out a replacement application form if required

A parent or guardian who signed the application for a minor can cancel their teen’s permit or license by submitting a written request to the SCDMV. The parent must appear in person at an SCDMV office, bring proper identification, and complete the required paperwork.