Free · 26 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
South Carolina Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the South Carolina Driver's Manual that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free South Carolina practice test.
26 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
License classes and the beginner's permit
A Class D license covers non commercial cars and trucks up to 26,000 pounds, and a beginner's permit requires age 15 and passing the vision and knowledge tests. Permit holders 17 and under hold the permit at least 180 days, and drivers 15 or 16 practice at least 40 hours.
10 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-1 to 1-6
- Lesson 2Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Conditional and special restricted licenses
The graduated program covers drivers 15 to 17, and at 15 and a half but under 16 you may be eligible for a conditional license with passenger and nighttime limits. Full privileges come at 17, or after one year on the license with no traffic offenses.
8 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-7 to 1-9
- Lesson 3Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Knowledge and skills tests, moving and renewal
Talking to anyone or leaving the test area early fails the knowledge test, and not using your seat belt fails the skills test. New residents must apply for an SC license within 45 days, and a license expired more than nine months requires the vision, knowledge and skills tests again.
8 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-10 to 1-18
- Lesson 4Section 1: The Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
The point system and losing your license
Points from traffic violations in any state go on your SC record and are cut in half after one year. At 17 or older, 12 points means suspension, and permit or restricted license holders are suspended at six.
7 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-18 to 1-20
- Lesson 5Section 1: The Driver's LicenseAlcohol and DUI
Provisional and temporary alcohol licenses
A first offense DUI or DUAC suspension may allow a six month provisional license, but not for a DUI or DUAC on or after May 19, 2024. Provisional, route restricted and temporary alcohol licenses each cost $100, and the provisional license also requires ADSAP enrollment.
7 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 1-21 to 1-23
- Lesson 6Section 2: State Laws and Rules of the RoadLaws and paperwork
Golf carts, organ donation and other state laws
To drive a golf cart you must be at least 16 with a valid license, and the cart needs an SCDMV issued decal. By day, carts may run within four miles of the registered address and only on secondary streets and highways posted 35 mph or less.
6 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 2-1 to 2-3
- Lesson 7Section 3: Be in Shape to DriveLaws and paperwork
Vision rules
South Carolina's minimum vision standard is 20/40 corrected in one eye. If you need glasses or contacts to meet it, driving without them is unlawful.
5 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-1 to 3-2
- Lesson 8Section 3: Be in Shape to DriveSafe driving
Fatigue, distraction and the hands free law
Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep, and long trips need a stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours. SC's Hands-Free Act bans holding a phone while driving, with fines of $100 and then $200 plus two points.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-3 to 3-5
- Lesson 9Section 3: Be in Shape to DriveAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol, other drugs and implied consent
Alcohol and other drugs are involved in about 40 percent of fatal crashes, and impairment starts with the first drink. Under 21, a BAC of 0.02 percent means at least a three month suspension, and refusing a test means at least six months.
10 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 3-6 to 3-9
- Lesson 10Section 6: Rules of the RoadRight of way
Yielding the right of way
Always consider the situation and circumstances at each intersection. Yield to anyone still in the intersection, to the first to arrive, to oncoming traffic when turning left and to the driver on your right when you reach a four way stop at the same time.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-1 to 6-2
- Lesson 11Section 6: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Traffic lights
A yellow light warns that the signal is about to change to red, so stop and wait for the next green, or clear the intersection if you are already in it. Right turns on red are allowed after stopping unless a sign prohibits them, and a flashing red means a complete stop as at a stop sign.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-3 to 6-4
- Lesson 12Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Warning, railroad and work zone signs
Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds, and school and pedestrian signs may be fluorescent yellow. Railroad signs warn of crossings, and orange signs mark work zones where you must follow flaggers.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-4 to 6-8
- Lesson 13Section 6: Rules of the RoadRoad signs
Regulatory and guide signs
Regulatory signs are white with black, red or green letters or symbols, and a red circle with a red slash prohibits an action. The stop sign has eight sides, and guide signs are green, brown or blue.
7 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-9 to 6-11
- Lesson 14Section 6: Rules of the RoadSignals and markings
Pavement markings, crosswalks and stop lines
Pavement markings divide lanes and show when you may pass, change lanes or use a lane for turns. Stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, and yield to pedestrians entering or in any crosswalk, marked or not.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-10 to 6-15
- Lesson 15Section 7: General DrivingRight of way
Turns, intersections and roundabouts
At every intersection, slow down and search for controls, traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists, and look left, right and left again. In a roundabout, drive counterclockwise and yield to traffic already circling.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 7-2 to 7-8
- Lesson 16Section 7: General DrivingEmergencies
School buses
Stop the whole time a school bus is stopped or preparing to stop with flashing lights or its stop arm out. On a road with two or more lanes each way, oncoming traffic does not have to stop.
7 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 7-8 to 7-10
- Lesson 17Section 7: General DrivingSignals and markings
Turnabouts, parking, lane changes and passing
Park no more than 18 inches from the curb, and turn your wheels correctly on hills. Before changing lanes, check mirrors and your blind spot, and signal 100 feet before passing.
9 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook pp. 7-1 to 7-17
- Lesson 18Section 8: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Visual search and speed management
Look 20 to 30 seconds ahead, and adjust speed for curves, slippery roads and water. Never drive through a flooded road, since six inches of water reaches the bottom of most cars.
7 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 8-1 to 8-4
- Lesson 19Section 8: Safe Driving TipsSafe driving
Stopping distance, following distance and signaling
Perception and reaction each take about 3/4 of a second to 1 second, and braking at 50 mph takes about 158 feet. Keep at least a 4 second following distance, and signal 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 8-5 to 8-9
- Lesson 20Section 9: Emergency Situations and Avoiding CollisionsEmergencies
Avoiding collisions and vehicle malfunctions
You have three options to avoid a collision: braking, steering or accelerating. With ABS, press the brake hard and keep constant pressure, and if your brakes stop working, use the parking brake slowly.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 9-1 to 9-5
- Lesson 21Section 10: Sharing the RoadSpeed limits
Pedestrians, school zones and speed
In a school zone, obey the slower limit when lights flash or children are present. Near playgrounds and homes, drive slower than the limit and be ready to stop.
6 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-10 to 10-2
- Lesson 22Section 10: Sharing the RoadRight of way
Yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists
Stop completely for a pedestrian guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, and yield to pedestrians in the intersection even on green. Bicycles are vehicles on roadways, and you yield to bicyclists in intersections as you would for pedestrians and other vehicles.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 10-1 to 10-3
- Lesson 23Section 10: Sharing the RoadSafe driving
Motorcycles and commercial vehicles
Give motorcycles a full lane and at least a 4 second following distance. A loaded truck needs at least 335 feet to stop from 55 mph, and large vehicles have blind spots up to 200 feet behind them.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 10-5 to 10-10
- Lesson 24Section 10: Sharing the RoadEmergencies
Emergency vehicles, traffic stops and the Move Over Law
Pull to the edge of the road for emergency vehicles with flashing lights and siren on, and avoid blocking intersections, roadways or driveways whenever possible. Move into a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down and proceed with caution.
9 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 10-12 to 10-16
- Lesson 25Section 11: Special Driving SituationsSafe driving
Night driving and work zones
Dim your high beams when 500 feet or more from an oncoming vehicle, and use low beams when following a vehicle less than 200 feet ahead. In work zones, always reduce your speed, even if there are no workers.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 6-9 to 11-3
- Lesson 26Section 11: Special Driving SituationsSafe driving
Rural roads, winter driving and trailers
On narrow or single lane bridges, take turns; the first driver to the bridge generally has the right of way. Load a trailer with 60 percent of the cargo weight in front, and keep most vehicle and trailer combinations at the recommended maximum of 55 mph.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 11-5 to 11-11
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free South Carolina practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the South Carolina cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the South Carolina Driver's Manual (SCDMV, 2026). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.