The knowledge test trips up many first-time applicants. Here's exactly what to study and how to walk in prepared.
The South Carolina SCDMV knowledge test is 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the South Carolina Driver's Manual. You must score at least 80% to pass — meaning you need at least 20 correct and can miss up to 5. There is no time limit, and road signs are part of the same 25-question test (not separate).
Retake policy: For the skills (driving) test specifically, you must wait 2 business days to retest after a 1st failure, 7 calendar days after a 2nd, and 30 calendar days after a 3rd or any subsequent failure — regardless of age or driving experience (1-13).
Where to take the test: Vision and knowledge tests can be taken at any SCDMV branch office. The SCDMV also partners with "One Stop Driver Training and Testing Programs" — authorized third-party testers that can administer the knowledge and/or skills tests. Find participating testers at dmv.sc.gov. Manuals, written material, and electronic devices (phones, tablets) are NOT allowed in the knowledge test area (1-10).
Prerequisites: If you are 15 or 16 applying for your first license, you must complete a driver's education course (8 hrs classroom + 6 hrs driving) and log 40 hours of supervised practice including 10 hours at night before the skills test (1-5, 1-6).
0.08% per-se BAC for drivers 21+. 0.02% zero-tolerance for drivers under 21 → immediate 3-month suspension. Refusing a chemical test = immediate 6-month suspension under implied consent. Impairment starts with the first drink — vision is affected at 0.02% BAC for all drivers (3-6, 3-7).
BAC of 0.15% or higher = enhanced penalties. Provisional DL not available for DUI/DUAC on or after May 19, 2024. You can still be convicted of impaired driving at 0.05% or lower if combined with prescription or OTC drugs. Driving impaired by drugs is treated identically to DUI (3-7 to 3-9, 1-21).
Permit at 15 (hold 180 days if 17 or under; 30 days if 18+). 40 hrs practice with 10 at night. Driver's ed: 8 classroom + 6 driving. Conditional at 15½, Special Restricted at 16 — drive alone 6 a.m.–6 p.m. (8 p.m. DST). Full license at 17 (1-4 to 1-9).
Minimum 4 seconds on dry pavement. Pick a fixed object — if you reach it before counting to four, you are too close. Add at least 1 second at night (2+ on unfamiliar roads). Add more in rain, behind motorcycles, or behind large vehicles (8-6, 11-2).
Always obey the posted limit — it is the maximum in ideal conditions. Reduce speed for rain, fog, curves, school zones, work zones. Max recommended speed when towing a trailer: 55 mph. Golf cart: only on roads ≤35 mph. Slow-moving-vehicle triangle = less than 25 mph (8-2, 10-15, 11-3, 11-11).
Signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning, merging, or passing. On green light: look left, right, left again before entering the intersection. Do not assume an oncoming turn signal is real — the driver may have forgotten to cancel it. Right on red: stop first, yield to pedestrians and cross traffic unless a sign prohibits (6-3, 7-5, 7-16, 8-9).
2-lane road: ALL traffic stops both directions for red/amber lights or stop arm extended. 4+ lane highway (2+ lanes each way): only traffic BEHIND the bus stops; oncoming may proceed with caution. You do NOT have to stop if the bus is in a passenger loading zone completely off the main travel lanes (7-8, 7-9).
Use low beams in fog, rain, or snow — high beams cause glare. Dim high beams within 500 ft of an oncoming vehicle and use low beams within 200 ft when following. Oncoming high beams blinding you? Glance toward the right side of the road. Add 1+ seconds following distance at night (11-1, 11-2).
Parallel park within 18 inches of curb. Downhill (with or without curb): wheels right. Uphill with curb: wheels left (back of front tire against curb). Uphill without curb: wheels right. Always set the parking brake and place in proper gear. Check sides/rear for bicyclists before opening your door (7-10 to 7-13, 10-5).
SC has primary safety-belt enforcement. Rear-facing: under age 2 (or mfr. limit). Forward-facing: age 2+ until outgrown. Booster: age 4+. Adult belt alone: age 8 or 57 in. tall. Children 7 and younger must sit in the back seat. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag (4-5 to 4-7).
You need 80% on the real test (20 correct of 25). Don't walk in scoring the minimum — aim for 90%+ on the practice simulator consistently before you book your appointment.
Memorize BAC limits, distances, signal distance, following distances, and suspension periods. These specific numbers appear on virtually every South Carolina test.
The Weak Spots mode saves every question you got wrong. Replay it until you're hitting 90%+ before going to the SCDMV office.
Download the South Carolina Driver's Manual at https://www.scdmvonline.com/. Every question comes directly from this manual.
Posted limits are maximums in ideal conditions — reduce for rain, fog, curves, school zones, and work zones. Watch for SC-specific rules: golf carts only on roads ≤35 mph, max recommended trailer speed of 55 mph, slow-moving-vehicle triangle = less than 25 mph.
Sign questions are visual — shape, color, and meaning all matter. Use the Road Signs Quiz mode to practice all signs before test day.
Free, no signup · Questions verified against the official state driver manual