South Carolina: Licensing basics — Graduated Driver's License Program Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “The graduated driver's license program is for individuals of what ages?” · “A 16-year-old who holds a conditional license is eligible for which 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 20 questions in this practice test
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The graduated driver's license program is for individuals of what ages?
- 14 to 16 years of age
- 16 to 18 years of age
- 15 to 17 years of age
- 15 to 19 years of age
Show answer
Correct answer: 15 to 17 years of age
The graduated driver's license program is for individuals 15 to 17 years of age.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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What does the graduated driver's license program restrict at first?
- Nighttime and unsupervised driving
- Driving on interstate highways and in other counties
- Driving any vehicle that carries more than one passenger
- Driving on roads with posted speed limits above 45 mph
Show answer
Correct answer: Nighttime and unsupervised driving
The program restricts nighttime and unsupervised driving at first, and the restrictions are lifted over time.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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What age range is required for a conditional license?
- At least 15 but less than 15 and a half
- At least 16 and a half but less than 17
- At least 15 and a half but less than 16
- At least 14 and a half but less than 15
Show answer
Correct answer: At least 15 and a half but less than 16
A conditional license is for someone at least 15 and a half but less than 16 who has met the requirements.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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Which tests must you pass to receive a conditional license?
- The vision and knowledge tests
- The vision and skills tests
- The knowledge and skills tests
- The knowledge test only
Show answer
Correct answer: The vision and skills tests
To receive a conditional license you must pass the vision and skills test.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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What must you do to earn full driving privileges after receiving a conditional license?
- Hold it for six months and complete an additional driving course
- Hold it for two years with no more than one traffic offense
- Complete forty more hours of supervised driving
- Hold it for one year with no traffic offenses and no at-fault collisions
Show answer
Correct answer: Hold it for one year with no traffic offenses and no at-fault collisions
Full driving privileges come after holding the conditional license for one year with no traffic offenses and no at-fault collisions.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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With a conditional license, how many passengers under 21 may you have unless you are with a licensed adult who is at least 21?
- No more than one
- No more than three
- No more than two
- No more than four
Show answer
Correct answer: No more than two
A conditional license holder cannot have more than two passengers under 21 unless with a licensed adult at least 21.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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During daylight savings time, a conditional license holder may drive alone from 6 a.m. until what time?
- 8 p.m.
- 6 p.m.
- 9 p.m.
- Midnight
Show answer
Correct answer: 8 p.m.
A conditional license holder may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or to 8 p.m. during daylight savings time.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-7)
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After the hours when a conditional license holder may drive alone, what is the minimum age of the licensed driver who must be with the driver until midnight?
- A licensed driver who is at least 18 years old
- A licensed driver who is at least 25 years old
- A licensed driver with at least one year of driving experience
- A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
Show answer
Correct answer: A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
Between the end of the alone-driving hours and midnight, a conditional license holder needs a licensed driver who is at least 21.
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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Who must supervise a special restricted license holder who drives between midnight and 6 a.m.?
- Any licensed adult who is at least 21 years old
- A licensed individual named in SC Code §56-1-100(A)(1-7)
- Any licensed driver with one year of driving experience
- No one, because the driver may drive alone after midnight
Show answer
Correct answer: A licensed individual named in SC Code §56-1-100(A)(1-7)
After midnight a special restricted license 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 1-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-8)
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What ages is a special restricted license for?
- At least 17 but less than 18
- At least 14 and a half but less than 15 and a half
- At least 16 and a half but less than 17 and a half
- At least 16 but less than 17
Show answer
Correct answer: At least 16 but less than 17
A special restricted license is for a driver who is 16 but less than 17 and has met the requirements and passed the vision and skills test.
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 16-year-old who holds a conditional license is eligible for which license?
- A special restricted license
- A Class M license
- A Class E license
- A commercial driver's license
Show answer
Correct answer: A special restricted license
A 16-year-old with a conditional license is eligible for a special restricted license.
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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When may a special restricted license holder have more than two passengers under 21 without a licensed adult who is at least 21?
- When driving to or from a medical appointment or an emergency room visit
- When driving during daylight hours on roads with posted limits below 35 mph
- When transporting family members or students to and from school
- When driving to or from a church or other organized youth activity
Show answer
Correct answer: When transporting family members or students to and from school
The only exception to the two-passenger limit is transporting family members or students to and from school.
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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Outside of daylight savings time, a special restricted license holder may drive alone from 6 a.m. until what time?
- 6 p.m.
- 8 p.m.
- 9 p.m.
- 10 p.m.
Show answer
Correct answer: 6 p.m.
A special restricted license holder may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or to 8 p.m. during daylight savings time.
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 16-year-old with a special restricted license with a waiver may drive by themselves until when?
- Midnight
- 10 p.m.
- 2 a.m.
- 6 a.m.
Show answer
Correct answer: Midnight
The waiver lets a 16-year-old who works or does certain extracurricular activities drive alone until midnight, but not after midnight.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-9)
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Who may be eligible for a special restricted license with a waiver?
- A 15-year-old who has only a beginner’s permit
- A 17-year-old who already has full driving privileges
- A 16-year-old who has a special restricted or conditional license
- An 18-year-old who has just received a beginner’s permit
Show answer
Correct answer: A 16-year-old who has a special restricted or conditional license
The manual says a 16-year-old holding a special restricted or conditional license may be eligible for the waiver.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-9)
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Besides a letter from your school, church, work, or activity, which letter must you bring to get a special restricted license with a waiver?
- A letter from your doctor approving your night driving
- A letter from your parent or legal guardian approving the waiver
- A letter from your insurance company covering night driving
- A letter from a licensed driver who agrees to ride with you
Show answer
Correct answer: A letter from your parent or legal guardian approving the waiver
You must bring a letter from your parent or legal guardian saying they allow the waiver and why you need it.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-9)
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Which test must you pass to get a special restricted license with a waiver?
- A hearing test
- A reaction-time test
- A balance test
- The vision test
Show answer
Correct answer: The vision test
The list of requirements for the waiver includes passing the vision test.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-9)
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The Consent for Minor must be completed by a qualified adult in the presence of whom?
- An SCDMV employee or agent
- A school official or teacher
- A notary public or attorney
- A law enforcement officer
Show answer
Correct answer: An SCDMV employee or agent
For the waiver, a qualified adult must complete the Consent for Minor while an SCDMV employee or agent is present.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-9)
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What does the SCDMV mail you when you earn full driving privileges?
- A new license with a different photo
- A sleeve to wrap around your license
- A sticker to put on your license plate
- A card showing your driving record
Show answer
Correct answer: A sleeve to wrap around your license
The SCDMV mails a sleeve that is wrapped around your license; no branch visit is needed.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-10)
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Where must you keep your license to take advantage of your full driving privileges?
- In a laminated holder from a branch
- Together with your insurance card
- Folded inside your vehicle registration
- In the sleeve the SCDMV mailed to you
Show answer
Correct answer: In the sleeve the SCDMV mailed to you
The license has to stay in the mailed sleeve for the full driving privileges to apply.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-10)