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Take a SC DMV Practice Test

Are you getting your South Carolina driver's license? If so, then you may want to take a practice test first. Tests like the South Carolina road signs practice test and the South Carolina driver's license renewal test can be a big help.

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South Carolina DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your South Carolina License
  • Preparing For Your SC Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your SC Permit Test
  • Renewing Your SC License
  • Taking Your SC Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your SC Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to South Carolina or Just Visiting?
When should my teen get car insurance?

Your teen should be insured once they're licensed and begin driving on their own (i.e., without another supervising licensed driver). Teens with learner's permits don't yet require insurance while they're driving under the supervision of a licensed adult.

If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

If you have a South Carolina beginner's permit, you may drive between the hours of 6 AM and midnight only with a supervising licensed driver at least 21 years old seated next to you who has been licensed themselves for at least 1 year. After midnight, you must be accompanied by one of the individuals named on your Consent for Minor form.

If you have a Conditional or Special Restricted driver's license:

  • You may carry only 2 passengers who are under 21 years old while driving unsupervised; otherwise, a licensed driver at least 21 years old must accompany you.
    • Exceptions include family members, or if you are driving students to and from school.
  • You must adhere to the following daylight driving restrictions:
    • You may drive unsupervised between 6 AM and 6 PM, or until 8 PM during Daylight Savings.
    • From 6 PM/8 PM to midnight, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
      • If you're at least 16 years old, you may be eligible to apply for a waiver that allows you to drive until midnight unsupervised.
    • From midnight to 6 AM, you must be accompanied by one of the individuals listed on your Consent for Minor form.

What happens after I pass my SC road test?

Once you pass your road test, you'll have your photo taken and receive either your official driver's license or a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

You may drive only when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat at all times, who has held their license for at least 1 year. If you're driving between midnight and 6 AM and you're under 18 years old, this person must be an individual listed on your Consent for Minor form.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No, your photo will be taken at the licensing office where you apply.

Once I get my SC permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

Teen Learners Permit

Basic
Advanced
Our Test
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Print and take With You "Cheat Sheet"
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
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No
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$9.95
unlimited
100
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Drivers License Renewal

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Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
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unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
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1
20
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New to State Drivers

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Number of Questions in Pool
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Drivers Permit Practice Package Price
unlimited
50
No
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$9.95
unlimited
100
Guaranteed to Pass OR YOUR MONEY BACK?
$19.95
1
20
No
No Cost

Motorcycle Permit

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$14.95
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15

Commercial License

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$14.95
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1
20

South Carolina DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

Learning to drive is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires potential drivers to demonstrate knowledge and skills behind the wheel before allowing them the privilege of driving with no restrictions. This is required for all new drivers, as well as those moving to South Carolina whose licenses have expired before arrival.

The requirements to obtain a SC driver’s license will vary slightly based on whether you are a minor or adult, as well as whether you’re applying for a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license.

Beginner’s Permits for South Carolina Drivers

Before applying for your first South Carolina driver’s license, all applicants—regardless of age—must first obtain a beginner’s permit. You may apply for a SC beginner’s permit when you are at least 15 years old.

Once you’re eligible, visit your local DMV office and submit:

  • A completed:
  • Provide proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • South Carolina residency.
    • Social Security number.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit or a non-compliant permit. The SC DMV provides a guide to acceptable documents for both REAL IDs and non-compliant credentials.
  • Pass the:
    • Written knowledge exam.
    • Vision test.
  • Pay for the applicable permit fees:
    • Knowledge test: $2
    • Beginner’s permit: $2.50

With your South Carolina permit, you may drive between the hours of 6 AM and midnight with a supervising licensed driver at least 21 years old seated next to you who has been licensed themselves for at least 1 year. After midnight, if you’re under 18 years old, you must be accompanied by one of the individuals named on your Consent for Minor form.

You must also hold your permit for at least 180 days before you can move on to earning a license. If you’re at least 17 years old, you can skip ahead to applying for your unrestricted license after holding your permit for the required amount of time. For teen drivers, your next step is acquiring a Conditional or Special Restricted driver’s license.

South Carolina Conditional and Special Restricted Licenses for Minors

For drivers under 17 years old, the first South Carolina license you’ll receive (after your permit) is either:

  • A Conditional license, if you’re between 15 ½ and 16 years old when you apply.
  • A Special Restricted license, if you’re between 16 and 17 years old when you apply.

These licenses have the same requirements and restrictions—the only difference between them is whether you’re eligible to apply for a midnight driving waiver (more on that below).

Before applying for either of these South Carolina provisional driver’s licenses, you must first have:

  • Maintained enrollment and regular attendance at school.
  • Held your learner’s permit for at least 180 days with no moving violations.
  • Completed a state-approved driver education course consisting of:
    • 8 hours of classroom learning.
    • 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
  • Completed your required practice driving hours—40 total, with 10 hours driven at night.

This is the step in which you’ll also need to pass your road test. You’ll need a safe vehicle in which to take your test, along with its registration and insurance.

If you’ve satisfied all of the above requirements—and you’re at least 15 ½ years old—make an appointment for your road test and bring:

  • Your beginner’s permit.
  • A completed:
  • The registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • South Carolina residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit or a non-compliant license. The SC DMV provides a guide to acceptable documents for both REAL IDs and non-compliant credentials. 
  • Payment for the $25 license fee.

Once you pass your road test, your Conditional or Special Restricted license will be restricted for 1 year. During this time, you may only drive under the following rules:

  • You may carry only 2 passengers who are under 21 years old while driving unsupervised; otherwise, a licensed driver at least 21 years old must accompany you.
    • Exceptions include family members, or if you are driving students to and from school.
  • You must adhere to the following daylight driving restrictions:
    • You may drive unsupervised between 6 AM and 6 PM, or until 8 PM during Daylight Savings.
    • From 6 PM/8 PM to midnight, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
      • If you’re at least 16 years old, you may be eligible to apply for a waiver that allows you to drive until midnight unsupervised—see “Special Restricted License Waiver” below for details.
    • From midnight to 6 AM, you must be accompanied by one of the individuals listed on your Consent for Minor form.

These restrictions will end once the full year has passed without any violations, after which you will be considered a fully licensed driver.

Special Restricted License Waiver

If you’re at least 16 years old, you may be eligible to apply for a waiver that allows you to drive unsupervised until midnight as long as you’re traveling to and from work or extracurricular activities.

To apply, submit the following to your DMV office:

  • Your Conditional or Special Restricted license.
  • A completed Application for Beginner's Permit, Driver's License, or Identification Card  (form 447-NC).
  • A letter from both:
    • Your school, employer, church, or other authorized organization verifying your need for a waiver.
    • Your parent/guardian, consenting to the waiver and explaining why it’s necessary for you.
  • Payment for the $25 license fee.

You can either apply for this waiver once you turn 16, or you can bring the required letters with you when you take your road test and apply for your license if you’re waiting to do so until you’re 16 years old.

Unrestricted Driver’s Licenses for Adult SC Drivers

For first-time drivers at least 17 years old, the next step after acquiring your South Carolina beginner’s permit is taking your road test and applying for your unrestricted driver’s license. There are no required practice hours for adult applicants, but you must hold your instruction permit for at least 180 days before scheduling your appointment to take your road test.

At your road test appointment, you’ll need to provide:

  • Your beginner’s permit.
  • A completed Application for Beginner's Permit, Driver's License, or Identification Card (form 447-NC).
  • Registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • Social Security number
    • South Carolina residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit or a non-compliant license. The SC DMV provides a guide to acceptable documents for both REAL IDs and non-compliant credentials.
  • Payment for the $25 license fee.

Driver’s License Requirements for New South Carolina Residents

If you hold an out-of-state license and move to South Carolina, you must apply for your SC driver’s license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state. If your current license has been expired for 9 months or longer, you must take the South Carolina written knowledge exam and road test in order to obtain your new license.

To transfer your valid/unexpired license to South Carolina, visit your local driver license station and:

  • Hand in your out-of-state license.
  • Pass a vision test.
    • If your out-of-state license is still valid, you won’t have to take a written test or road skills exam.
  • Submit your:
    • Completed Application for Beginner's Permit, Driver's License, or Identification Card  (form 447-NC).
      • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
    • Proof of your:
      • Identity.
      • Citizenship or authorized presence.
      • Social Security number.
      • South Carolina residency.
        • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit or a non-compliant license. The SC DMV provides a guide to acceptable documents for both REAL IDs and non-compliant credentials.
  • Pay the $25 license fee.

South Carolina DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

Applying for a South Carolina motorcycle endorsement mimics the process of applying for a SC driver’s license, including earning a beginner’s permit and taking an on-cycle skills exam. Visit the sections above for the application process, forms, and fees you’ll need.

If you already hold a driver’s license, you are eligible to bypass the permit and take your motorcycle road test the same day you take the written knowledge exam, if you feel confident you can pass it without having first practiced. You can also elect to complete a Basic Rider Course (BRC) approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Successfully passing this course automatically waives the DMV skills test, as you will undergo an on-cycle road exam as part of your BRC.

South Carolina CDL Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in South Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old. To drive across state lines or to carry hazardous materials you must be at least 21 years old.

Regardless of age, to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must first:

  1. Have a valid South Carolina driver’s license.
  2. Obtain and hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 2 weeks.

Getting Your SC Commercial Learner’s Permit

To get your CLP, visit the DMV office with:

At your appointment, you’ll take the written knowledge test and a vision exam before receiving your commercial learner permit.

Your CLP will be valid for 180 days, during which time you can practice for your commercial driver’s license road test. You can only drive when accompanied by another CDL holder in the front seat next to you who has their own CDL of the appropriate class and proper endorsements for the vehicle you’re practicing in.

Applying for a SC Commercial Driver’s License

After practicing with your CLP and holding it for at least 2 weeks, you are eligible to apply for your full South Carolina commercial driver’s license. Schedule a skills test with a qualifying branch that administers commercial road tests.

At your test, bring:

  • Your CLP and South Carolina driver’s license.
  • A vehicle representative of the class and type you’ll be driving, which meets all safety standards, plus its registration and insurance.
  • Your required medical cards, if applicable.
  • Payment for the:
    • $15 application fee.
    • $12.50 CDL fee.

South Carolina DMV Handbooks

South Carolina CDL Handbook

South Carolina CDL Handbook

South Carolina CDL Handbook
South Carolina Driver's License Handbook

South Carolina Driver's License Handbook

South Carolina Driver's License Handbook
South Carolina Motorcycle Handbook

South Carolina Motorcycle Handbook

South Carolina Motorcycle Handbook