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South Carolina DMV Test Questions and Answers

These are the questions about South Carolina's own rules: permit, license, fines, speed and parking. Signs and rules shared by all states are on separate pages.

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Alcohol and drugs

  1. In South Carolina, a driver under 21 violates the law starting at what BAC?

    1. 0.00% (any alcohol)
    2. 0.02%
    3. 0.04%
    4. 0.05%

    Answer: B. South Carolina: for drivers under 21 the limit is 0.02%.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 4your privilege to drive will be suspended immediately for at least three months

  2. In South Carolina, if you refuse a chemical test for alcohol for the first time, your license is suspended for:

    1. 2 months
    2. 3 months
    3. 6 months
    4. 9 months

    Answer: C. South Carolina: a first refusal means a 6-month license suspension.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 4you will immediately lose your driving privileges for at least six months.

  3. In South Carolina, a driver under 21 with a BAC of .02% or more has the license suspended for at least:

    1. 3 months
    2. 1 week
    3. 1 month
    4. 5 years

    Answer: A. Under 21 with .02% or more: immediate suspension for at least three months.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 4your privilege to drive will be suspended immediately for at least three months

License rules

  1. In South Carolina, how many of the required supervised practice hours must be at night?

    1. 10 hours
    2. 20 hours
    3. 30 hours
    4. 40 hours

    Answer: A. South Carolina: at least 10 hours of the practice must be at night.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 1you must practice driving for at least 40 hours, including ten hours of night driving.

  2. In South Carolina, what is the minimum age to get a learner's permit?

    1. 14 years old
    2. 14½ years old
    3. 15 years old
    4. 15½ years old

    Answer: C. South Carolina: you can apply for a learner's permit at 15 years old.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 1You must be at least 15 years old.

  3. In South Carolina, a teen must hold a learner's permit for at least how long before taking the road test?

    1. 2 months
    2. 3 months
    3. 6 months
    4. 9 months

    Answer: C. South Carolina: hold the permit at least 6 months before the road test.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 1You must hold your beginner's permit for at least 180 days, regardless of your age.

  4. In South Carolina, how many hours of supervised driving practice must a teen complete before the road test?

    1. 30 hours
    2. 40 hours
    3. 50 hours
    4. 60 hours

    Answer: B. South Carolina: at least 40 hours of supervised driving are required.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 1you must practice driving for at least 40 hours, including ten hours of night driving.

  5. In South Carolina, at first a provisional (teen) driver may carry how many passengers under 21 who are not family members, unless an adult supervisor is present?

    1. 0
    2. 1
    3. 2
    4. 3

    Answer: C. South Carolina: no more than 2 non-family passengers under 21 at first, unless supervised.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 1You cannot have more than two passengers under 21 in the vehicle with you

  6. In South Carolina, a driver with a conditional license may drive alone (standard time) only between:

    1. 5 a.m. and midnight
    2. 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
    3. 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
    4. Any time

    Answer: B. Conditional license: alone 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time); with a licensed adult 21+ until midnight.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 1You may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight savings time).

  7. In South Carolina, a driver 17 or older has the license suspended when the point total reaches:

    1. 4
    2. 6
    3. 8
    4. 12 or more

    Answer: D. At 12 or more points, the license is suspended.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 4If your point total reaches 12 or more, your license will be suspended.

  8. In South Carolina, points on your record are reduced by half how long after the violation date?

    1. Six months
    2. One year
    3. Three years
    4. Never

    Answer: B. Points are cut in half one year after the violation date.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), How the Point System WorksPoints are reduced by half after one year from the violation date on the ticket.

  9. In South Carolina, a driver 17 or older whose point total reaches what number will have the license suspended?

    1. 4
    2. 6
    3. 8
    4. 12

    Answer: D. At 12 or more points the license is suspended.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), How the Point System WorksIf your point total reaches 12 or more, your license will be suspended.

  10. In South Carolina, a certified defensive driving course can reduce your points by four how often?

    1. Every year
    2. Every six months
    3. Once in a three-year period
    4. Once in a lifetime

    Answer: C. An 8-hour course; the 4-point reduction can be used once every three years.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Defensive Driving CourseA reduction in points may only be made one time in a three-year period.

  11. In South Carolina, you can renew an expired license without testing if it has been expired for no more than:

    1. Nine months
    2. One month
    3. Five years
    4. Ten years

    Answer: A. Up to nine months; longer requires testing.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Renewing an Expired Driver's LicenseIf your license has been expired for nine months or less, you may renew it at an SCDMV branch without testing.

  12. In South Carolina, renewing online or by mail gives you a license valid for:

    1. Four years
    2. Eight years
    3. Two years
    4. Life

    Answer: B. Online and mail renewals issue an eight-year license; the fee is $25.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Driver's License Renewal

  13. What is South Carolina's minimum vision standard for a driver's license?

    1. 20/20 in both eyes
    2. 20/30 uncorrected
    3. 20/40 corrected in one eye
    4. 20/100

    Answer: C. The minimum standard is 20/40 corrected in one eye.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Vision

Parking

  1. In South Carolina, when you parallel park, your wheels must be no more than how far from the curb?

    1. 12 inches
    2. 18 inches
    3. 24 inches
    4. 36 inches

    Answer: B. South Carolina: park with your wheels within 18 inches of the curb.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 7Do not park more than 18 inches from the curb or edge of pavement.

Rules of the road

  1. In South Carolina, how far should a driver sit from the steering-wheel airbag cover?

    1. 6 inches
    2. 10 inches
    3. 12 inches
    4. 18 inches

    Answer: B. South Carolina: sit at least 10 inches from the airbag cover (center of the wheel to your breastbone).

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 5There should be at least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel.

  2. In South Carolina, children must ride in a car seat until they turn what age?

    1. 7 years old
    2. 8 years old
    3. 9 years old
    4. 10 years old

    Answer: B. South Carolina: children age seven and younger must ride in a car seat in the back seat, i.e., until they turn 8.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 5Children age seven and younger must sit in a car seat in the back seat of the vehicle.

  3. In South Carolina, the recommended minimum following distance in good conditions is at least:

    1. 2 seconds
    2. 3 seconds
    3. 4 seconds
    4. 5 seconds

    Answer: C. South Carolina: keep at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead; add more in bad weather.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 6You should always try to keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.

  4. In South Carolina, how far ahead should you scan the road while driving?

    1. 10 seconds
    2. 12 seconds
    3. 15 seconds
    4. 20 seconds

    Answer: D. South Carolina: look at least 20 seconds ahead of your vehicle.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 6Ideally, you should try to look at what is occurring 20 to 30 seconds in front of your vehicle.

  5. In South Carolina, a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing on the other side of a divided highway with a median. You:

    1. Must stop
    2. Do not have to stop, but should watch for children
    3. Must stop only if children are crossing
    4. Must sound your horn and pass

    Answer: B. South Carolina: drivers on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median do not have to stop; drivers behind the bus must stop.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 6

  6. In South Carolina, you must signal at least how far before you turn or change lanes?

    1. 75 feet
    2. 100 feet
    3. 150 feet
    4. 200 feet

    Answer: B. South Carolina: signal at least 100 feet before you turn or change lanes.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 6It is state law that you must use a turn signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning left or right, or when merging into traffic.

  7. In South Carolina's manual, braking distance at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes is about:

    1. 58 feet
    2. 158 feet
    3. 358 feet
    4. 1,000 feet

    Answer: B. At 50 mph on dry pavement, braking alone takes about 158 feet — plus reaction distance.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 6At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 158 feet.

  8. How much moving water can carry away most vehicles?

    1. 2 inches
    2. 6 inches
    3. 1 foot
    4. 2 feet

    Answer: D. Six inches of water reaches the bottom of most cars; two feet of moving water can carry most vehicles away.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Section 6Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles.

  9. In South Carolina, a golf cart may be driven only on secondary roads with posted limits of no more than:

    1. 55 mph
    2. 45 mph
    3. 25 mph
    4. 35 mph

    Answer: D. Driver at least 16 with a valid license; within four miles of the registered address; roads posted 35 mph or less.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Golf CartsYou must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license to drive a golf cart.

  10. In South Carolina, a child may be restrained by an adult seat belt once the child is:

    1. At least age 4
    2. At least age 6
    3. At least age 8 or at least 57 inches tall
    4. At least 40 pounds

    Answer: C. Under 2: rear-facing; 7 and younger: car seat in the back; 8 or 57 inches: seat belt.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Child Passenger Safety LawsChildren age seven and younger must sit in a car seat in the back seat of the vehicle

  11. According to the South Carolina manual, how deep must water be to reach the bottom of most passenger cars?

    1. Six inches
    2. One inch
    3. Three feet
    4. Six feet

    Answer: A. Six inches reaches the bottom of most cars; two feet of moving water can carry most vehicles away.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Slippery Roads / Flooded Roadways

  12. In South Carolina, before passing you should signal at least:

    1. 25 feet ahead
    2. 100 feet or more
    3. 500 feet
    4. 1 mile

    Answer: B. Signal 100 feet or more before passing.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), PassingWhen it is safe to pass, signal your intentions 100 feet or more before passing.

  13. According to the South Carolina manual, a zipper (late) merge can reduce the length of a traffic backup by as much as:

    1. 5%
    2. 10%
    3. 90%
    4. 40%

    Answer: D. Zipper merging can shorten backups by as much as 40%.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (rev. 06/2024), Zipper MergeReducing the overall length of traffic backup by as much as 40%.

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