DMV South Carolina · Fees, age, and practice test
South Carolina Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Sourced procedural facts for South Carolina DMV, plus a free 180-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the South Carolina permit test cost?
Knowledge test fee is $2.00; beginner's permit issuance fee is $2.50
- Learner permit / application fee: $2.50 for the beginner's permit
- Knowledge (written) test fee: Knowledge test fee is $2.00; beginner's permit issuance fee is $2.50
- Initial driver license fee: $25 (eight-year driver's license)
Source: South Carolina DMV (SCDMV) · Last verified 2026-07-06. Our 180-question South Carolina practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
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
Permit fee
$2.50 for the beginner's permit
Initial license fee
$25 (eight-year driver's license)
Passing score
80% or higher; SCDMV states "A score of 80% or higher is needed to pass the exam."
Retake fee
$2 each knowledge test, charged per test taken
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 lets residents book appointments; the Locations and Wait Times page lists all offices.
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.
How much is the South Carolina permit test?
South Carolina knowledge test fee: Knowledge test fee is $2.00; beginner's permit issuance fee is $2.50 (official source). Permit fee: $2.50 for the beginner's permit (official source).
South Carolina DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test fee | Knowledge test fee is $2.00; beginner's permit issuance fee is $2.50 | source |
| Permit fee | $2.50 for the beginner's permit | source |
| Initial license fee | $25 (eight-year driver's license) | source |
| Retake fee | $2 each knowledge test, charged per test taken | source |
Studying for it? Take the free South Carolina DMV practice test (180 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a South Carolina driver license covers
Initial license fee: $25 (eight-year driver's license) (official source)
See a real South Carolina license sample on the official DMV site (South Carolina DMV (SCDMV)) →
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official South Carolina DMV site for exact card timelines.
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 lets residents book appointments; the Locations and 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
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 180 questions across 8 topics
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