South Carolina: Points and suspensions Practice Test
South Carolina’s points system, the defensive driving course that reduces points, suspensions and the route-restricted license.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "South Carolina Driver's Manual" (2026 (posted April 2026)), South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
All 24 questions in this practice test
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What happens to a driver under 17 who receives six or more points before holding the license for one year?
- The license is suspended for 90 days
- The license is suspended for six months
- The license is suspended for one year
- The license is suspended until the driver turns 18
Show answer
Correct answer: The license is suspended for six months
A driver under 17 with six or more points before one year of holding the license has the license suspended for six months.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-8)
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A driver is convicted of a traffic violation in another state. What happens to that information?
- Nothing, because only SC violations count
- It is sent to the SCDMV and posted to the driver’s record
- It is kept only by the other state
- It is posted only if the driver is also ticketed in SC
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Correct answer: It is sent to the SCDMV and posted to the driver’s record
Convictions in any state are sent to the SCDMV and posted, so they can earn points on an SC record.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-18)
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Which of these may put points on your driving record?
- Renewing your license by mail
- Registering as an organ donor
- Completing a defensive driving course
- A military court-martial traffic conviction
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Correct answer: A military court-martial traffic conviction
The manual lists a military court-martial traffic conviction as a way to receive points.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-18)
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How are points on your driving record reduced over time?
- They are cut in half after one year
- They are removed completely after one year
- They are cut in half after two years
- They are cut by one third after six months
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Correct answer: They are cut in half after one year
Points drop by half after one year from the violation date on the ticket, so four points in June become two the next June.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-18)
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At what point totals does the SCDMV send a driver who is 15 or 16 a letter to drive more carefully?
- One point and/or three points
- Three points and/or five points
- Two points and/or four points
- Eight points and/or ten points
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Correct answer: Two points and/or four points
For 15 and 16 year olds the warning letters come at two points and/or four points.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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If you are 17 or older, at how many points does the SCDMV send you a letter to drive more carefully?
- Three or more points
- Six or more points
- Eight or more points
- Ten or more points
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Correct answer: Six or more points
Drivers 17 or older get the warning letter at six or more points.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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If you are 17 or older, at what point total will your license be suspended?
- 8 or more points
- 9 or more points
- 15 or more points
- 12 or more points
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Correct answer: 12 or more points
A 17 or older driver whose total reaches 12 or more points has the license suspended.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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You hold a beginner’s permit and accumulate six or more points. What happens?
- Your privileges are suspended
- You receive a warning letter only
- You must retake the knowledge test
- Your points are cut in half right away
Show answer
Correct answer: Your privileges are suspended
A beginner's permit holder who accumulates six or more points has driving privileges suspended for excessive points.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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Will completing the National Safety Defensive Drive Course reinstate a suspension for excessive points?
- Yes, it reinstates it right away
- Yes, but only after 30 days
- No, it will not reinstate it
- Only if you are under 17
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Correct answer: No, it will not reinstate it
The manual says the course, or its equivalent, will not reinstate an excessive points suspension.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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What can happen to the points that resulted in an excessive points suspension?
- They are erased when the suspension begins
- They can also be used in a point system suspension
- They are erased when the suspension ends
- They are cut in half when the suspension begins
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Correct answer: They can also be used in a point system suspension
Those same points may later be counted toward a point system suspension.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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Which course may reduce the points on your driving record?
- The National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course
- A motorcycle safety course for new riders
- The Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program
- A driver’s education course taken before a permit
Show answer
Correct answer: The National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course
The manual names the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course, or an equivalent, as the way to reduce points.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-19 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-19)
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When looking for a driving school that offers the point-reduction defensive driving course, what should you search for?
- Schools certified for two-point reduction
- Schools certified for six-point reduction
- Schools certified for four-point reduction
- Schools certified for twelve-point reduction
Show answer
Correct answer: Schools certified for four-point reduction
The manual says to look for schools certified for four-point reduction.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-20)
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Where must the defensive driving course be taken for your points to be reduced?
- In any state
- At any SCDMV branch
- In the county where you got the ticket
- In SC
Show answer
Correct answer: In SC
The course must be taken in SC to count for point reduction.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-20)
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How long must the defensive driving course used to reduce points be?
- Eight hours of classroom training
- Four hours of classroom training
- Six hours of classroom training
- Twelve hours of classroom training
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Correct answer: Eight hours of classroom training
The point-reduction course must be eight hours of classroom training.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-20)
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When must the defensive driving course be taken in relation to your violation to reduce points?
- Before the date of the violation
- Within 30 days before the violation
- After the date of the violation
- On the same day as the violation
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Correct answer: After the date of the violation
The course counts only if it is taken after the violation date.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-20)
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How often may points be reduced by taking a defensive driving course?
- Once in every one-year period
- Once in a three-year period
- Twice in a three-year period
- Only once in your lifetime
Show answer
Correct answer: Once in a three-year period
A point reduction can be made only once in a three-year period.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-20)
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You take a defensive driving course because your license is in danger of being suspended. When must you complete it?
- Within 30 days after the suspension begins
- Any time before you apply for reinstatement
- Within one year after the suspension begins
- Before the suspension begins
Show answer
Correct answer: Before the suspension begins
Once a suspension begins, the point reduction will not cancel or reduce it, so the course must be finished first.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-20 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-20)
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Which applicants are not eligible for a route-restricted driver’s license?
- Anyone who has previously held a beginner’s permit
- Anyone who has been suspended more than once
- Non-US citizens without permanent resident alien status
- Any driver who is under 21 years of age
Show answer
Correct answer: Non-US citizens without permanent resident alien status
A person who is not a US citizen can get this license only with permanent resident alien status.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-22)
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Which trip is allowed with a route-restricted driver’s license?
- To and from a shopping center
- To and from your place of employment
- To and from a restaurant
- To and from a recreational event
Show answer
Correct answer: To and from your place of employment
A route-restricted license covers travel to and from work, college or residence, ADSAP and a court-ordered drug program.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-22)
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What must you keep with you while driving on a route-restricted driver’s license?
- A letter from your employer
- A copy of your court order
- Your ADSAP enrollment card
- A copy of the approved route
Show answer
Correct answer: A copy of the approved route
You must carry a copy of the approved route while driving.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-22)
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How long is a route-restricted driver’s license valid?
- For the length of the suspension
- For six months from the issue date
- For one year from the issue date
- Until your next birthday
Show answer
Correct answer: For the length of the suspension
The license is valid only for as long as the suspension lasts.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-22)
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For which suspension may you be eligible for more than one route-restricted license in your lifetime?
- Accident judgment
- Not paying child support
- Controlled substance
- Failure to stop for a blue light
Show answer
Correct answer: Not paying child support
Child support suspensions may allow more than one route-restricted license, unlike the suspensions limited to one.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-22)
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A suspension for which offense, if it is your 1st or 2nd within five years, may let you get more than one route-restricted license in your lifetime?
- False insurance certification
- Misrepresentation of identity
- Failure to stop for a blue light
- Driving under suspension
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving under suspension
A first or second offense of driving under suspension within five years can qualify for more than one route-restricted license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-22)
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How many points are added to your driving record for a second or subsequent violation of the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act?
- One point
- Two points
- Four points
- No points
Show answer
Correct answer: Two points
A second or subsequent offense adds two points to the driving record as well as the fine.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 3-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 3-5)