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DMV South Carolina · Facts and practice test

South Carolina DMV: age, fees, test facts

Sourced procedural facts for South Carolina DMV, plus a free 76-question practice test with real sign images and audio.

State
South Carolina
Questions
76
Cost
Free

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Quick facts

Minimum permit age

15 years old for a regular/motorcycle beginner's permit

Knowledge test fee

Knowledge test fee is $2.00; beginner's permit issuance fee is $2.50

Supervised driving before road test

40 hours total, including 10 hours night driving, before the Conditional license/road test (under 16); also 8 classroom + 6 driving hours of driver's ed required

Documents to bring

Government-issued birth certificate, Social Security number, two proofs of current physical address (for REAL ID); see SCDMV Form MV-93 checklist

Find an office / appointment

SCDMV Schedule Appointment page and Appointment Search tool let residents book appointments; Locations & Wait Times page lists all offices.

REAL ID status

REAL ID (gold star) optional vs standard 'Not for Federal Identification' card; required for flights/federal buildings/military bases from May 7, 2025.

Motorcycle license

Minimum age 15 for a motorcycle beginner's permit; requires vision and knowledge test, then a road skills test to obtain full license.

Commercial license (CDL)

18 minimum for intrastate-only CDL (restricted, cannot cross state lines); 21 required to remove restriction for interstate driving.

Official source: South Carolina DMV (SCDMV)

Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles site.

Getting a license in South Carolina

Getting your first permit

In South Carolina, the minimum permit age is 15 years old for a regular/motorcycle beginner's permit. When you apply for a permit or license, bring: government-issued birth certificate, Social Security number, two proofs of current physical address (for REAL ID); see SCDMV Form MV-93 checklist. SCDMV Schedule Appointment page and Appointment Search tool let residents book appointments; Locations & Wait Times page lists all offices.

Fees, retakes, and practice hours

Knowledge test fee is $2.00; beginner's permit issuance fee is $2.50. Before the road test, the state requires 40 hours total, including 10 hours night driving, before the Conditional license/road test (under 16); also 8 classroom + 6 driving hours of driver's ed required.

REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL

REAL ID (gold star) optional vs standard 'Not for Federal Identification' card; required for flights/federal buildings/military bases from May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: minimum age 15 for a motorcycle beginner's permit; requires vision and knowledge test, then a road skills test to obtain full license. For a commercial license (CDL): 18 minimum for intrastate-only CDL (restricted, cannot cross state lines); 21 required to remove restriction for interstate driving.

The South Carolina bank has 76 questions across 8 topics

Road signs
26 questions
Laws and paperwork
20 questions
Alcohol and DUI
9 questions
Speed limits
8 questions
Right of way
6 questions
Emergencies
3 questions
Safe driving
2 questions
Signals and markings
2 questions

Passed? Don't forget insurance

New drivers in the household need to be added to the policy, and shopping several carriers is the best way to keep the cost down, wherever you live.

Call 714-666-6669