South Carolina: Licensing basics — Beginner's Permit and Driver's Education Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “If you have never had a driver's license, what must you start with?” · “What is the total number of hours a 15- or 16-year-old permit holder must practice driving?”
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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 19 questions in this practice test
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If you have never had a driver's license, what must you start with?
- A conditional license
- A special restricted license
- A beginner's permit
- A Class G moped license
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Correct answer: A beginner's permit
Someone who has never had a driver's license must start with a beginner's permit.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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What is the minimum age to get a beginner's permit?
- 15 years old
- 14 years old
- 16 years old
- 17 years old
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Correct answer: 15 years old
The manual requires a beginner's permit applicant to be at least 15 years old.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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Which tests must you pass to get a beginner's permit?
- The vision and skills tests
- The knowledge and skills tests
- The vision test only
- The vision and knowledge tests
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Correct answer: The vision and knowledge tests
A beginner's permit requires passing the vision and knowledge test.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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During which hours may a beginner's permit holder drive when a qualified licensed driver is in the front seat?
- 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 6 a.m. to midnight
- 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Correct answer: 6 a.m. to midnight
With a qualified licensed driver in the front seat, a permit holder may drive from 6 a.m. to midnight.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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What are the minimum age and driving experience of the licensed driver who must be in the front seat with a beginner's permit holder driving between 6 a.m. and midnight?
- A licensed driver at least 18 years old with at least one year of driving experience
- A licensed driver at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience
- A licensed driver at least 21 years old with at least five years of driving experience
- A licensed driver at least 25 years old with at least one year of driving experience
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Correct answer: A licensed driver at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience
The front-seat driver must be licensed, at least 21 years old, and have at least one year of driving experience.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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Who must supervise a beginner's permit holder who drives after midnight?
- Any licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
- Any licensed driver with one year of driving experience
- A licensed driver who is at least 25 years old
- A licensed individual named in SC Code §56-1-100(A)(1-7)
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Correct answer: A licensed individual named in SC Code §56-1-100(A)(1-7)
After midnight a permit holder must be supervised by a licensed individual listed in SC Code §56-1-100(A)(1-7).
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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How long must a beginner's permit holder who is 17 years old or under hold the permit before applying for any type of license?
- At least 180 days
- At least 90 days
- At least 120 days
- At least 270 days
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Correct answer: At least 180 days
Permit holders 17 and under must hold the permit at least 180 days before applying for a license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-4)
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A beginner's permit holder who is 17 years old or under has held the permit for the required time. On which day may the holder first apply for a license?
- The 180th day
- The 91st day
- The 181st day
- The 270th day
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Correct answer: The 181st day
After the 180 days required, the permit holder may apply on the 181st day or anytime thereafter.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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How long must a beginner's permit holder who is 18 years old or older hold the permit before applying for a driver's license?
- At least 30 days
- At least 14 days
- At least 60 days
- At least 90 days
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Correct answer: At least 30 days
Applicants 18 and older must hold the beginner's permit at least 30 days before applying for a driver's license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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A beginner's permit holder who is 18 years old or older has held the permit for the required time. On which day may the holder first apply for a driver's license?
- The 30th day
- The 15th day
- The 31st day
- The 61st day
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Correct answer: The 31st day
After the 30 days required, the permit holder may apply on the 31st day or anytime thereafter.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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What is the total number of hours a 15- or 16-year-old permit holder must practice driving?
- At least 20 hours
- At least 40 hours
- At least 30 hours
- At least 50 hours
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Correct answer: At least 40 hours
A 15- or 16-year-old must practice driving for at least 40 hours.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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Of the practice driving a 15- or 16-year-old permit holder must complete, how many hours must be night driving?
- Five hours
- Fifteen hours
- Twenty hours
- Ten hours
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Correct answer: Ten hours
The required practice driving includes ten hours of night driving.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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To supervise practice driving as a person standing in loco parentis (in the place of a parent), what continuous period is required?
- At least ten days
- At least ninety days
- At least sixty days
- At least 120 days
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Correct answer: At least sixty days
A person who has stood in loco parentis for a continuous period of not less than sixty days may supervise the practice driving.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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Written approval from which agency qualifies a person to supervise a permit holder's required practice driving?
- The Department of Social Services
- The Department of Education
- The Department of Revenue
- The Department of Public Safety
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Correct answer: The Department of Social Services
One person who may supervise the practice driving is someone with written approval by the Department of Social Services.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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What must a responsible adult have in order to supervise a 15- or 16-year-old's required practice driving?
- A written recommendation from the permit holder's driver's education instructor
- Written approval from the permit holder's school principal, signed before a notary
- A certificate showing the adult completed a defensive driving course
- Written permission from a parent or other listed person, signed before a notary
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Correct answer: Written permission from a parent or other listed person, signed before a notary
A responsible adult needs written permission from one of the other listed persons, signed and verified before a notary, and a copy goes to the SCDMV.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-5)
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How many hours in the classroom does the driver's education course required for a 15- or 16-year-old's first license include?
- Five hours
- Eight hours
- Ten hours
- Twelve hours
Show answer
Correct answer: Eight hours
The required driver's education course has eight hours in the classroom and six hours of driving.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-6)
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How many hours of driving does the driver's education course required for a 15- or 16-year-old's first license include?
- Three hours
- Six hours
- Four hours
- Twelve hours
Show answer
Correct answer: Six hours
The required driver's education course has eight hours in the classroom and six hours of driving.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-6)
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What school requirement must a 15- or 16-year-old meet to get a first driver's license?
- Have passed every class in the previous school year with no failing grades
- Have a letter of approval from the school principal
- Have completed at least one semester of the school year without absences
- Be enrolled in school, not suspended or expelled, with satisfactory attendance
Show answer
Correct answer: Be enrolled in school, not suspended or expelled, with satisfactory attendance
The applicant must be enrolled in school, not suspended or expelled, and have satisfactory school attendance.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-6 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-6)
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From whom do you receive the Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education and Driving Practice once you complete the course?
- Your driver's education program
- Your school's attendance office
- The Department of Social Services
- The SCDMV branch where you took the vision test
Show answer
Correct answer: Your driver's education program
The certification form is given to you by your driver's education program after you successfully complete the course.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)