Beginner's permit knowledge test
South Carolina Permit Practice Test
282 free questions written from the official handbook, each with an explanation and the page it comes from.
- From the official South Carolina handbook
- Every answer cites its page
- Checked November 4, 2026
The real test at a glance
- Where you take it
- in office at any SCDMV branch, or via One Stop third-party testers (driver training schools); no online at-home option foundsource
- Test fee
- 2.00source
- Permit fee
- 2.50source
- Minimum permit age
- 15source
- Road signs
- no separate signs test stated; knowledge test covers road signssource
Checked against official sources on November 4, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) before your test.
About the real test
What to expect on test day
South Carolina's beginner's permit knowledge test is taken in person at an SCDMV branch, or through a One Stop third-party tester such as a driver training school. You can get a beginner's permit at 15; the test costs $2 and the permit $2.50. There is no separate road signs test: the knowledge test covers signs. South Carolina does not publish how many questions are on the test or the passing score, so there is no full-length mock exam here.
Every question here is written from the official South Carolina Driver's License Manual and shows the page it comes from. Practice by topic or in mixed sets, then review the questions you missed.
Practice by topic
Pick a topic to start
Start with a topic you're unsure of. Mixed sets work better once you've seen each topic.
- Beginner's permit, graduated licensing and pointsBeginner's permit rules, the graduated license program for teens, the point system and suspensions, and state laws for drivers.35 questions
- Alcohol, drugs and DUIHow alcohol and other drugs affect driving, over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs, implied consent, under-21 limits and DUI suspensions.17 questions
- Fitness to drive and protecting passengersVision, fatigue, distractions, aggressive driving and emotions, safety belts, air bags, child passenger safety laws and securing your load.20 questions
- Vehicle checks and equipmentInspecting your vehicle, tire tread, adjusting seat and mirrors, and driver assistance systems.10 questions
- Pavement markingsYellow and white lane markings, shared center left-turn and reversible lanes, crosswalks and stop lines.10 questions
- Road signsSign shapes and colors, warning, work zone, regulatory, guide and route signs, and railroad crossing signs.38 questions
- Traffic signalsSteady and flashing traffic lights and arrows.12 questions
- Speed, stopping distance and following distanceVisual search, managing speed for conditions, stopping distance and keeping space in front and behind.20 questions
- Right-of-way, intersections and turnsYielding right-of-way, railroad crossings, turning and turnabouts, intersections, diverging diamonds, RCUTs and roundabouts.26 questions
- Lanes, highways and passingChanging lanes, entering and exiting multi-lane highways, passing and the zipper merge.16 questions
- Basic control, backing and parkingStarting, stopping, steering, backing, angle and parallel parking, and parking on hills.14 questions
- Conditions, emergencies and collisionsCommunicating with signals and lights, braking, steering and skids, vehicle malfunctions and breakdowns, night driving, work zones, rural roads and winter driving.32 questions
- Sharing the roadSchool buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, commercial vehicles and No Zones, emergency vehicles, law enforcement stops, the Move-Over law and slow-moving vehicles.32 questions
learned (right 3 times on different days) seen
Try a few
Sample South Carolina permit test questions
Open a question to see the answer, why, and the handbook page.
1.What does this sign mean?
- AA school crossing is ahead
- BA rest area is ahead
- CA playground is in a park
- DA hospital is near
Show the answer
✓ A. A school crossing is ahead
This warning sign marks a school crossing. Slow down and watch for children.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 63
2.The lines in the center of the road are yellow. What does that tell you?
- ATraffic moves in both directions
- BTraffic moves in one direction
- CIt is a bike lane
- DParking is allowed
Show the answer
✓ A. Traffic moves in both directions
Yellow lane markings are used on two-direction roadways, separating traffic going opposite ways.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 71
3.During a hard stop with ABS, the brake pedal vibrates and you hear a clicking sound. What should you do?
- ALet go of the brake pedal
- BPull up on the parking brake
- CPump the brake pedal instead
- DKeep pressing; this is normal
Show the answer
✓ D. Keep pressing; this is normal
Vibration and clicking are normal when ABS works. Keep firm pressure on the pedal; you can still steer.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 103
4.How high should the top of the steering wheel be?
- AAbove the top of your head
- BNo higher than your shoulders
- CBelow the level of your waist
- DLevel with your eyes
Show the answer
✓ B. No higher than your shoulders
Set the seat so the top of the steering wheel is no higher than the top of your shoulders, with your foot able to pivot between pedals.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 45
5.You are driving with your 1-year-old. How must the child ride?
- ARear-facing in a rear seat
- BForward-facing in the front seat
- CIn a booster seat in the rear
- DOn an adult's lap in the rear
Show the answer
✓ A. Rear-facing in a rear seat
An infant under age two rides in a rear-facing car seat in a rear seat until outgrowing the seat's height or weight limit. Never put a rear-facing seat in front of an air bag.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 49
6.You are 18. Which is true about alcohol in South Carolina?
- AYou may have it as long as it is sealed
- BIt is illegal for you to buy, have or drink it
- CYou may drink it as long as you do not drive
- DYou may buy it, but you may not drink it
Show the answer
✓ B. It is illegal for you to buy, have or drink it
Anyone under 21 is not allowed to purchase, possess or drink alcoholic beverages.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 36
FAQ
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the South Carolina permit test?
The state doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score on its official site, so check with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) before your test. Practice until you get at least 80% of new questions right.
Can I take the test online?
in office at any SCDMV branch, or via One Stop third-party testers (driver training schools); no online at-home option found. (Source: official South Carolina page, checked November 4, 2026.)
How old do I have to be to get a permit?
15. (Source: official South Carolina page, checked November 4, 2026.)
Are these the real test questions?
No. Nobody can legally offer the real questions. We write our own questions from the official South Carolina Driver's License Manual, and each one shows the handbook page it's based on, so you learn the rules the real test is built from.