South Carolina DMV Tests & Permit Practice – 2026
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#1. If you approach a railroad crossing and see a vehicle with this sign, you should:
There are some vehicles that are required to stop at all railroad crossings, such as transit buses, school buses, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials. If you follow these vehicles, you should increase you following distance. At crossings, you should slow down and be prepared to stop!
#2. To avoid glare from the high-beam headlights of an approaching car:
If a vehicle comes toward you with its high beams on, glance toward the right side of the road to keep from being distracted or momentarily blinded by the vehicle’s headlights. If a vehicle comes toward you with its high beams on, glance toward the right side of the road to keep from being distracted or momentarily blinded by the vehicle’s headlights. You should not look directly into the lights of the cars you are meeting.
#3. A vehicle carrying this sign operates at a speed of:
A fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle displayed on the rear of a vehicle means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph. Use caution when approaching a slow-moving vehicle, and be sure it is safe before you pass.
#4. When brakes fail and you cannot get them to work:
In the event your brakes stop working while driving, use the parking brake. Pull on the parking brake handle in the center console or push the parking brake foot pedal slowly so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid. Be ready to release the parking brake if the vehicle does start to skid.
look for a safe place to slow to a stop. Do not continue to drive the vehicle without working brakes.
#5. You have a green light at an intersection, and a blind pedestrian prepares to cross. Who must yield?
Blind pedestrians have special protection under the law. You must always yield the right-of-way to persons who are visually impaired. When a pedestrian is crossing a street guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, you must come to a complete stop.
#6. What does this sign mean?
Cross road ahead. Be prepared to slow down, and observe any special speed limit instructions, in the event a car enters or crosses the highway from the side road.
#7. Which signs have the shape of a four-sided diamond?
Four-sided diamond-shaped signs warn you of existing or possible hazards on roadways or adjacent areas.
#8. The driver ahead signals:
Left turn – left arm extended horizontally out of an open window .
#9. A shared center left turn lane can be used:
A special type of yellow barrier line is used to mark a median as a refuge area where vehicles may safely wait to turn left, out of the way of other traffic. Each side of the median area is marked with a yellow line and a broken yellow line.
Remember, when a shared center left-turn lane is provided, a left turn may be made only from this lane. You may only drive in this lane when preparing for and making a left turn or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U turn when otherwise permitted by law.
#10. To ensure you are not driving in a truck's blind spot, you should:
Avoid following too closely and position your vehicle so the truck driver can see you in his side mirrors. Look for the truck driver’s reflection in the side mirror. If you cannot see the truck driver in the truck’s mirror, the truck driver cannot see you.
#11. The four-second rule refers to how you should:
You will need time and space to adjust and react to other road users. The more space you allow between your vehicle and other roadway users, the more time you have to react. You should always try to keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.
Remember, there are certain situations when you need more space in front of your vehicle.
#12. If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, you should:
Move the front seat back. It is recommended that drivers sit with at least 10 inches between the center of their breastbone and the center of the steering wheel.
Remember, airbags do not replace safety belts.
#13. In general, how many alcoholic drinks does it take to affect your ability to drive safely?
It takes only a few drinks to increase your BAC to levels at which it is illegal to drive. And remember, the effects of alcohol on your ability to drive begin at even lower BAC levels after just one drink.
#14. On a road with lanes separated by white lines:
White lines mark traffic lanes going in the one (same) direction.
#15. If you are under 21 years of age and register a BAC of .02 or greater, your privilege to drive will be automatically:
If you are under 21 years of age and register a BAC of .02 or greater, your privilege to drive will be suspended immediately for three months. If you have prior violations of DUI, Felony DUI, Implied Consent, or a BAC of .02 or greater in the last five years of the first offense, your driving privilege will immediately be suspended for six months.
| This South Carolina DMV Practice Test | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on each test: | 15 |
| Question pool: | 500+ |
| Type of test: | Random multiple-choice |
| North Carolina DMV Written Knowledge Test | |
|---|---|
| Number of questions on exam: | 30 questions |
| Passing score: | 80 percent |
| Correct answers to pass: | 24 |
| Allotted time to complete test: | No limit |
| Wait time before retest: | 1 day |
Practice South Carolina Permit Knowledge Test
This South Carolina permit practice is an alternative to the sample test offered by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV). It has more questions, immediate feedback, and quick explanations when you miss a question. You can see your score at the end of the test.
It is a random knowledge test with questions drawn from a large question bank.
The practice test covers all essential items described in the SCDMV Driver’s Manual.
You will find all answers to the test questions in the driver’s manual published by SCDMV .
You should not skip reading the manual and think you can pass the test simply by memorizing questions and answers from the practice tests. Not only are you likely to fail, but you will also be a less knowledgeable driver and probably cause more accidents.
Get the latest version of the Driver’s Manual from your nearest SCDMV location or download a free PDF version online at www.scdmvonline.com .
What You Must Know about the South Carolina Knowledge Exam
There are 30 questions on the South Carolina Knowledge Exam. The passing score is 80 percent, which means you must answer at least 24 questions correctly.
On each practice test, there are only 15 questions, but you can take the practice test over and over again. Each test will be slightly different and most like have new questions.
Take enough tests to be comfortable with all questions and answers.
If you fail your first attempt on the test, you can typically try again the next business day.
Remember, many test takers fail their first attempt. Prepare well before the exam. Make a study plan. Set aside multiple shorter study blocks for several weeks. Underestimating the time you need to study for your exam is risky study tactics and a widespread mistake.
You can take the knowledge tests at any SCDMV branch or authorized Auto School.
Is the South Carolina Permit Test Hard?
In recent years, SCDMV has adopted the AAMVA Model Driver’s License Manual and corresponding test questions, making the knowledge examination slightly easier. South Carolina now has a lower failure rate than before.
It also means that you must ensure you have the latest manual version. Old manuals will have different information and are not good if you want to prepare for the knowledge test.
Remember, SCDMV always draw test questions from the information in the new manual.
Who Must Take the South Carolina Knowledge Test?
New drivers.
If you apply for an original South Carolina permit or driver’s license, you must always pass the knowledge test.
Drivers who let their license expire more than nine months.
If you don’t renew your S.C. driver’s license within nine months of the expiration date, you must start over and apply for a new license. When you apply for a new driver’s license, you must pass the knowledge and road skills tests again.
Drivers who had their license revoked.
If DMV has revoked your license, you must wait until the revocation period has passed, make a new application, and take the complete examination as if you never had a driving privilege before.
Drivers with a foreign license.
Drivers who move to South Carolina and hold a license from a foreign country other than Canada, Germany, or France must pass all tests.
Note that international customers must apply for a license at designated locations. Not all branches offer this service.
New Residents
If you have a valid out-of-state permit, DMV can transfer it to a beginner’s permit in South Carolina. The time you held the out-of-state permit counts toward the 180-day requirement. If the out-of-state permit has expired, you must retake the vision and knowledge tests.
When you have a valid driver’s license from another state, you only need to pass the vision test and surrender your out-of-state driver’s license. If you let your out-of-state driver’s license expire by nine months, you must pass the vision test and complete the knowledge and road tests.
To be exempt from the knowledge test, drivers from Canada, France, Germany, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau must hold a valid driver’s license.
If the out-of-country license has expired, you must complete all necessary tests.
Note that you can keep an out-of-country license but not use it when you have an S.C. license. If you use that license, SCDMV will revoke your South Carolina license.
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Passed without any errors. Recommend for everyyone.
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