180+ questions based on the official South Carolina Driver's Manual. Realistic exam simulator with instant scoring. No signup required.
25 random questions, no time limit — the exact format of the real SCDMV knowledge test. Need 80% (20 correct of 25) to pass.
Practice road signs exclusively — shapes, colors, and meanings. Perfect for targeting the sign section before your exam.
Test only the critical numbers — speed limits, distances, BAC limits, suspension periods. The most memorized facts on the real exam.
Fast 15-question session — perfect for a daily warm-up or quick review before bed.
Every question, random order, no timer. Best for deep study before your test date.
Key chapters from the official handbook — organized, summarized, and exam-focused. Read before your test!
Passed at the SCDMV this morning!! So nervous I almost rescheduled. Felt just like the practice here.
Free, no signup, no paywall. Tried a paid app first — wish I'd come here first.
My kid used this every night for a week. First try pass. Proud mom ❤️
Everything important from the South Carolina Driver's Manual — organized for the exam
Memorize these numbers first. South Carolina test questions are frequently built around specific distances, speeds, BAC levels, and time periods. These come up constantly.
Road signs are tested heavily. Know each sign's shape, color, and meaning. The real test often shows a sign description and asks what it means.
| Shape | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Octagon (8-sided) | STOP — always and only | Stop sign |
| Triangle (pointing down) | YIELD — give right of way | Yield sign |
| Diamond | WARNING — hazard ahead | Curve, pedestrian, deer |
| Pentagon (5-sided) | SCHOOL ZONE | School crossing |
| Pennant (triangle right) | NO PASSING ZONE | No-passing pennant |
| Round (circle) | RAILROAD CROSSING advance warning | RR crossing sign |
| Rectangle (vertical) | REGULATORY — rules you must follow | Speed limit, turn restrictions |
| Rectangle (horizontal) | GUIDE or INFORMATION | Street name, mile marker |
| X-shaped crossbuck | RAILROAD CROSSING — treat like yield | Railroad crossbuck |
| Color | Category | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Regulatory — STOP / PROHIBIT | Stop, yield, do not enter, wrong way, no-turn circles |
| Yellow | WARNING | General hazard warnings — curves, hills, intersections, animals |
| Orange | WORK ZONE / CONSTRUCTION | Construction ahead, road crew, slow down and drive with care. In SC, if you endanger a highway worker you may be fined and have points assessed against your record (SC Code §56-5-1535) (11-3). |
| Green | GUIDE / DIRECTIONAL | Highway exits, distances, direction, mile markers |
| Blue | SERVICES | Gas, food, lodging, hospital, rest area |
| Brown | RECREATION / CULTURAL | Parks, campgrounds, historical sites, scenic areas |
| White | REGULATORY | Speed limits, lane rules, turn restrictions |
| Fluorescent Yellow-Green | WARNING — pedestrian / school / bike | School zones, crosswalks, bike lanes |
| Fluorescent Pink | INCIDENT MANAGEMENT | Crash clean-up, debris removal, temporary traffic control |
Right of way is the #1 failure topic on the SCDMV knowledge test. Master every scenario below — these questions will be on your exam.
| Signal | What You Must Do |
|---|---|
| Solid GREEN | Proceed — but yield to traffic already in intersection |
| Solid YELLOW | Prepare to stop if safe; proceed only if stopping would be dangerous |
| Solid RED | Stop completely; may turn right on red after stop and yield (unless posted) |
| GREEN ARROW | Protected turn — oncoming traffic must stop. You may turn in the arrow's direction, but still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. |
| YELLOW ARROW | Protected turn is ending — prepare to yield or stop |
| Flashing YELLOW ARROW | Unprotected turn — you MAY turn but MUST yield to oncoming and pedestrians |
| Flashing RED | Treat exactly like a STOP sign — stop, yield, proceed when safe |
| Flashing YELLOW | Caution — slow down and proceed carefully. Do not need to stop. |
| RED + GREEN ARROW | Stop for through traffic; turn in direction of arrow only |
| Signal NOT working | Treat as ALL-WAY STOP — all traffic stops |
DUI questions appear on virtually every SCDMV knowledge test. Know the BAC levels, implied consent law, and penalties. South Carolina uses "DUI" (Driving Under the Influence).
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| BAC of 0.08%+ (driver 21+) | DUI or DUAC — mandatory license suspension under SC law. Penalties escalate for repeat offenses, elevated BAC, and DUI causing injury or death. A provisional DL is not available for DUI/DUAC on or after May 19, 2024 (3-7, 1-21). |
| Impairment below the legal BAC limit | Yes. Under SC law you can be convicted of impaired driving at a BAC of 0.05% or lower if combined with drugs — prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal (3-7). |
| Test refusal (implied consent) | Refusing a lawfully-requested breath, blood, or urine test results in immediate loss of driving privileges for at least 6 months (3-7, 3-8). |
| BAC — under 21 (Zero Tolerance) | A BAC of 0.02% or higher suspends the license immediately for at least 3 months. SC has zero-tolerance under-21 laws — any measurable alcohol is a violation (3-7). |
| Minor purchasing or possessing alcohol (under 21) | Illegal in South Carolina regardless of whether driving is involved. Separate license-suspension consequences apply for DUI-related convictions (3-6, 3-7). |
| DUI — causing death / injury | Treated the same as DUI or DUAC under SC law and triggers mandatory license suspension. Driving under the influence of drugs is treated identically (3-9). |
School bus rules are heavily tested. In SC, you must stop any time you are behind a school bus with red or amber lights flashing or stop arm extended. On a two-lane road, oncoming traffic must also stop. On a four-lane or multi-lane highway (2+ lanes each way), only traffic behind the bus must stop (7-8, 7-9).
| Location | SCDMV Rule |
|---|---|
| Distance from curb when parallel parked | Within 18 inches of the curb or edge of pavement (7-12) |
| Parking along a roadway (any side) | Park as far from the flow of traffic as possible (7-10) |
| Handicap / disability space | Only if the vehicle is driven by or transporting the person named on the disability plate or placard registration (7-10) |
| No-parking zones | Check for signs or painted curbs. Some restrictions are indicated by colored curb markings (7-11) |
| Downhill — with or without a curb | Turn wheels toward the curb / right (7-13) |
| Uphill — with a curb | Turn wheels away from the curb; back of the front tire rests against the curb (7-13) |
| Uphill — without a curb | Turn wheels to the right so the vehicle rolls off the road if brakes fail (7-13) |
| All hill parking | Set the parking brake, shift into proper gear / park, and turn off the engine (7-13) |
| Before opening your door on the street | Check sides and rear of vehicle for bicyclists and traffic (10-5) |
| Leaving a parking space | Signal, use mirrors, look over your shoulder, and yield right-of-way (7-13) |
| Inside an intersection or on a crosswalk | Never — always illegal |
| In front of a driveway entrance (public or private) | Always prohibited |
The rule: always turn wheels so that if the car rolls, it rolls away from traffic or is caught by the curb.
| Situation | Turn Wheels | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Facing DOWNHILL, WITH curb | RIGHT (into curb) | Car rolls into curb and stops |
| Facing DOWNHILL, NO curb | RIGHT (away from road) | Car rolls away from traffic |
| Facing UPHILL, WITH curb | LEFT (away from curb) | Car rolls back, caught by curb |
| Facing UPHILL, NO curb | RIGHT (away from road) | Car rolls away from traffic |
GDL questions appear on many tests. Know South Carolina's Graduated Driver Licensing program, the restrictions in each phase, and the specific ages, hold periods, and curfew hours.
| Equipment | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Headlights | Turn on when visibility is reduced or at dusk/night. Use low beams in rain, snow, or fog — high beams cause glare and reduce visibility ahead (8-8, 11-2). |
| High beams — dim distances | Dim when within 500 ft of an oncoming vehicle. Use low beams when following within 200 ft of another vehicle (11-1, 11-2). |
| Horn | Use when needed to prevent a crash — a light tap is usually enough. Avoid around blind pedestrians and animal-drawn vehicles (8-8, 8-9, 10-16). |
| Turn signals | Signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning, merging, or passing. Cancel signals once your action is complete (7-16, 8-9). |
| Tire tread depth | Check monthly using the Lincoln-penny test. If the top of Lincoln's head shows, tires are too worn — replace them (4-2). |
| Tire pressure | Check monthly with a pressure gauge when tires are cold. Compare against the PSI on the driver's-side doorframe sticker (4-1, 4-2). |
| Head restraints | Adjust so the restraint contacts the back of your head — not below the ears. Designed to prevent whiplash (4-3). |
| Steering-wheel clearance | At least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel for safe airbag deployment (4-3). |
| Skills-test vehicle checklist | Working headlights, brakes, mirrors, safety belts, defroster, turn signals, horn, windshield wipers, speedometer. Valid plate, registration, insurance card (1-11, 1-12). |
| Safety features during skills test | You may NOT use parking assist or cruise control during the driving test (4-9). |
| Hazard lights | Use when your vehicle is disabled to warn other drivers (9-5). |
| Seat belts & child restraints | SC has primary safety-belt enforcement — officers may stop you solely for an unbelted occupant. Rear-facing seat: infant under age 2 (or under 2 within mfr. limits). Forward-facing: age 2+ until outgrown. Booster: age 4+ until fits adult belt. Adult belt: age 8+ OR 57 in. tall. Children age 7 and younger must sit in the back seat (4-5 to 4-7). |
A proven 4-phase approach that builds real understanding — not just memorization. Work through each phase at your own pace, and you'll walk into the SCDMV ready to pass on your first try.
| Your Score | Status | What to Do Next |
|---|---|---|
| Under 75% | Needs more work | Go back to Phase 3 — run Weak Spots mode on your wrong answers. Re-read the Study Guide for those topics. Then try the simulator again. |
| 75% – 89% | Almost there | Run Weak Spots on what you missed, then take the simulator again. You're close — one more round should get you there. |
| 90%+ | Ready! 🎉 | Run the simulator one more time to confirm. Score 90%+ twice → you are ready for the real test. |
Before you walk into the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles office:
25 questions · need 80% (about 20 correct) · you can miss up to 5 and still pass
The official handbook from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles — the single source of truth for the written test.
South Carolina Driver's Manual · Revised January 2026 · Published by South Carolina SCDMV
Download Official Manual →Source: South Carolina SCDMV · Free download
We've distilled the official manual into 12 focused study sections. Every number, rule, and fact verified against the handbook. Click any topic to start studying.
The SCDMV knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions. You need 20 correct (80%) to pass. Road signs are included in the same 25-question test — they are not a separate exam. There is no set time limit.
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence. The per-se BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers age 21 and older. For drivers under 21, SC has zero tolerance — a BAC of 0.02% or higher suspends the license immediately for at least 3 months. You may also be convicted of impaired driving at 0.05% or lower if combined with drugs (3-6, 3-7).
The SC Driver's Manual recommends a minimum 4-second following distance on dry pavement. Pick a fixed object ahead — when the vehicle ahead passes it, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three, one-thousand-four." If you reach the object before four, you are too close. Increase the gap on slippery roads, at night, in fog, behind large vehicles, or behind motorcycles (8-6).
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a beginner's permit in South Carolina. You must pass the vision and knowledge test. Applicants age 17 and under must hold the permit for at least 180 days before applying for a driver's license; applicants 18 and older must hold it at least 30 days (1-4, 1-5).
Yes, this practice site is completely free. Every question is verified against the South Carolina Driver's Manual.
Get out, move away, and call the emergency number posted on the blue sign at the crossing. Do not stay in the vehicle or try to rock it loose. Give the dispatcher the DOT crossing number shown on the blue sign so trains can be stopped (6-6, 9-5).
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) administers the state's knowledge test at more than 60 branch offices statewide. The exam is a 25-question multiple-choice test drawn entirely from the South Carolina Driver's Manual, covering state laws, rules of the road, road signs, pavement markings, and safe driving practices. You need 20 correct (80%) to pass. Two standout SC-specific rules that catch many test-takers off guard: (1) the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act — $100 for a 1st offense, $200 + 2 points for a 2nd — which prohibits holding a wireless device, texting, emailing, or viewing videos while driving on any public road; and (2) the school bus stopping rule on multi-lane highways — on a 4+ lane highway (2+ lanes each way), only traffic BEHIND the bus must stop; oncoming traffic may proceed with caution.
South Carolina uses DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DUAC (Driving with an Unlawful Alcohol Concentration). The per-se BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 21 face zero tolerance — a BAC of 0.02% or higher suspends the license immediately for at least 3 months. A BAC of 0.15% or higher triggers enhanced penalties and additional suspension. Under South Carolina's implied consent law, refusing a lawfully-requested breath, blood, or urine test results in immediate loss of driving privileges for at least 6 months. A provisional DL is not available for any DUI or DUAC that takes place on or after May 19, 2024. You may also be convicted of impaired driving at a BAC of 0.05% or lower if combined with prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs. Every fact on this site is verified against the South Carolina Driver's Manual published by the SCDMV.
South Carolina's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program runs through three phases for teen drivers. At age 15, a teen may apply for a beginner's permit — requires vision and knowledge testing, 180 days holding period (30 days for applicants 18+), and 40 hours of supervised practice (10 at night) plus an 8-hour classroom / 6-hour behind-the-wheel driver's ed course. A supervising driver age 21+ with at least one year of experience must ride in the front seat. At 15½, a teen is eligible for a conditional license; at 16, a special restricted license. Both allow solo driving only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight savings); a licensed 21+ adult is required from 6 p.m. to midnight, and a listed supervisor (parent, legal guardian, etc.) after midnight. No more than 2 passengers under 21 unless a licensed 21+ adult is present (exception: transporting family or students to/from school). Full privileges come at 17, or after one year of conditional/special restricted driving with no traffic offenses or at-fault collisions. Six or more points on a teen's record within the first year triggers a 6-month license suspension.
This free practice test is verified against the South Carolina Driver's Manual and is built for anyone testing at SCDMV branch offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Rock Hill, Mount Pleasant, Spartanburg, Summerville, Sumter, Florence, Myrtle Beach, Aiken, Anderson, and every other SC city. The standard Class D license fee is $25 for an 8-year term. Free practice here, no signup, no paywall.
Permit rules vary between states. If you or someone you're helping is testing in a different state, we have free practice tests verified against each state's current manual: