The South Carolina knowledge test
Practice target 24 of 30 (80%)
Practice test 30 questions SCDMV doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score of its knowledge test. Our target of 80% matches SCDMV's own online practice exam; 30 questions is our practice length.
Practice by topic
Road Signs What signs mean and what to do when you see them Right-of-Way Who goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts Traffic Signals Lights, arrows and pedestrian signals Lanes & Turns Lane markings, turns, passing and merging Speed Limits Limits and how to adjust your speed Parking Curb colors, hills and where you can't park Safe Driving Following distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road Alcohol & Drugs Blood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication Emergencies Breakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings License Rules Permits, restrictions for new drivers and points Insurance & Collisions Required coverage and what to do after a crash Phones & Distraction Phone rules and other distractions Sample South Carolina practice questions
Traffic is backing up before a lane closure. What does the zipper merge ask you to do?
Stop in your lane and wait for a large gap Merge into the open lane as early as you can Drive on the shoulder to reach the front Stay in your lane to the merge point, then take turns Show the answer
Stay in your lane to the merge point, then take turns
Using both lanes until the merge area and alternating there is safer when traffic is heavy and slow.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 7, General Driving, Zipper Merge (Late Merge), p. 7-17 (PDF p. 92)
May you follow GPS directions on a mounted phone while driving in SC?
Only if you hold it below the window Yes, if you don't hold it or type No, all phone use is banned Only on interstates Show the answer
Yes, if you don't hold it or type
Navigation is allowed when the device is not held and you do not have to type.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-3890(C)(6)(a)
What is the maximum speed on a multilane divided primary highway where signs post it?
Show the answer
60 mph
State law allows up to 60 mph on these highways when official signs give that limit.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-1520(B)(2)
You own a car and are renewing your license. What must you state about the car?
Its current odometer mileage That it has liability insurance The name of its last mechanic The date it was last serviced Show the answer
That it has liability insurance
Vehicle owners must certify insurance coverage when they apply for or renew a license.
Source: SCDMV, Insurance Requirements, Do I need insurance?
The trailer you are towing begins to sway. What should you do?
Brake hard at once to stop the sway Speed up to pull the trailer straight Steer straight and slow gradually, without braking Steer quickly from side to side to correct it Show the answer
Steer straight and slow gradually, without braking
Do not brake or increase speed. Keep the wheel straight, ease off, and stop when you can get completely off the road.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 11, Special Driving Situations, Loading a Trailer, p. 11-10 (PDF p. 135)
On a paved rural highway where no other limit is posted, what is the maximum speed?
Show the answer
55 mph
Where no higher limit is posted, the maximum is 55 mph; unpaved roads are limited to 40 mph.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-1520(B)(3)
How does the manual define aggressive driving?
Intentionally endangering people or property Driving at exactly the posted speed limit Staying in the left lane on a highway Tapping the horn once to warn of a hazard Show the answer
Intentionally endangering people or property
Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes and ignoring signals are typical aggressive behaviors.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Aggressive Driving, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36)
You must stop on a rural highway outside town. From how far must your vehicle be visible in each direction?
50 feet 20 feet One mile 200 feet Show the answer
200 feet
Leave room for others to pass and make sure drivers can see your vehicle from 200 feet each way.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5, § 56-5-2510(A)
How far back can a large vehicle's blind spot directly behind it reach?
Up to 200 feet Up to 10 feet Up to 30 feet Up to one mile Show the answer
Up to 200 feet
If you follow too closely, the driver cannot see you and you cannot see what is ahead.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 10, Sharing the Road, The No Zone, p. 10-9 (PDF p. 118)
Is it legal for a 20-year-old to possess alcohol in South Carolina?
Yes, if a parent bought it Yes, at home only No, it is illegal under 21 Yes, if they do not drink it Show the answer
No, it is illegal under 21
Under 21 it is against the law to buy, possess or drink alcoholic beverages.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, If You are Under 21, p. 3-6 (PDF p. 37)
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the South Carolina Driver's Manual (Edition linked from SCDMV's Beginner's Permit page; no revision date is printed (the cover page of the 06/2024 edition is gone) and the file was last modified 2026-04-01 (server date), read 2026-11-09. Compared with the 06/2024 edition it adds the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act (pp. 3-4 to 3-5), a 30-day permit holding period for applicants 18 or older (p. 1-5) and shorter route-restricted license lists; the rest of the text is the same, with some pages shifted. Pages are cited as printed (section-page, e.g. 1-4) with the PDF page. Where the manual gives no value, the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5 (scstatehouse.gov, read 2026-11-09) and SCDMV web pages are the source. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
