Key South Carolina facts: License Rules
An applicant for a first beginner's permit must be at least 15. Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit, p. 1-4 (PDF p. 8) A beginner's permit is issued only after the applicant passes the vision and knowledge tests. Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit, p. 1-4 (PDF p. 8) With a beginner's permit you may drive between 6 a.m. and midnight when a licensed driver aged 21 or older, with at least one year of driving experience, sits in the front seat. Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit, p. 1-4 (PDF p. 8) Permit holders aged 17 or younger must keep the beginner's permit at least 180 days, applying on day 181 at the earliest; the list for 15- and 16-year-olds says more than 180 days. Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit; First-Time Driver's License, pp. 1-4-1-6 (PDF pp. 8-10) Permit holders aged 18 or older must keep the beginner's permit at least 30 days before applying for a license, so day 31 is the earliest. Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit, p. 1-5 (PDF p. 9) Sample License Rules questions
You fail the skills test on your first try. How long must you wait before retesting?
30 calendar days No wait Seven calendar days Two business days Show the answer
Two business days
The wait is two business days after a first failure, seven calendar days after a second and 30 after a third.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Failing the Skills Test, p. 1-13 (PDF p. 17)
When do drivers in the graduated program earn full driving privileges?
At 18, no matter what their record shows At 17, or after a clean year on the license After passing a second skills test at 17 Six months after passing the skills test Show the answer
At 17, or after a clean year on the license
Full privileges come at 17, or after a year with a conditional or special restricted license with no offenses and no at-fault crashes.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Regular Driver's License, p. 1-9 (PDF p. 13)
Which license is meant for drivers who are 16 but not yet 17?
Special restricted license Class G license Conditional license Beginner's permit only Show the answer
Special restricted license
The special restricted license is the 16-year-old step; the conditional license is for 15-year-olds.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Special Restricted License for a 16-year-old, p. 1-8 (PDF p. 12)
Four points were added to your record in June. What happens to them a year after the violation date?
They double to eight points They drop to two points They stay at four for three years They are removed completely Show the answer
They drop to two points
Points are cut in half one year after the violation date.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, How the Point System Works, p. 1-18 (PDF p. 22)
You are 15 and want your first license. What is the least time you must have held your beginner's permit?
180 days 365 days 30 days 90 days Show the answer
180 days
Permit holders aged 17 or younger must keep the permit at least 180 days; the earliest day to apply is day 181.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit; First-Time Driver's License, pp. 1-4-1-6 (PDF pp. 8-10)
A 16-year-old gets six points in the first year of holding a license. What happens?
The license is suspended for 30 days The license is suspended for six months A fine but no suspension A warning letter only Show the answer
The license is suspended for six months
Under 17, six or more points before the license is a year old means a six-month suspension.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Conditional License; Special Restricted License, p. 1-8 (PDF p. 12)
How often may you have points reduced by taking a defensive driving course?
Once in a lifetime Once in a three-year period Once a year Every time you get points Show the answer
Once in a three-year period
The course must be taken in South Carolina after the violation date, and the reduction is allowed only once every three years.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Defensive Driving Course, pp. 1-19-1-20 (PDF pp. 23-24)
Who can get a conditional license?
Drivers who are 16 but not yet 17 Any driver under 18 with a permit Drivers at least 15 and a half but under 16 Drivers aged 17 and older only Show the answer
Drivers at least 15 and a half but under 16
The conditional license is for 15-year-olds who are at least 15 and a half; the special restricted license is the one for 16-year-olds.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Conditional License for a 15-year-old, p. 1-7 (PDF p. 11)
A beginner's permit holder reaches six points and is suspended. Will a defensive driving course reinstate the permit?
Only for drivers under 16 No, it does not end that suspension Yes, if taken online Yes, right away Show the answer
No, it does not end that suspension
Permit, conditional and special restricted holders with six or more points are suspended for excessive points, and the course does not reinstate them.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Driver's License Suspension for Excessive Points, p. 1-19 (PDF p. 23)
Which tests must you pass to get a beginner's permit?
Knowledge and skills Vision and knowledge Vision and skills Skills only Show the answer
Vision and knowledge
A beginner's permit needs a passed vision test and knowledge test; the skills test comes later.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1, The Driver's License, Beginner's Permit, p. 1-4 (PDF p. 8)
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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.
