South Carolina: Licensing basics — License Renewal Online, by Mail and in Person Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “How long is the license that a US citizen receives when renewing online?” · “You cannot renew your license online if you currently hold 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 19 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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How long is the license that a US citizen receives when renewing online?
- Four years
- Five years
- Eight years
- Ten years
Show answer
Correct answer: Eight years
Online renewal gives a US citizen an eight-year license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-15 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-15)
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Which person cannot renew a driver's license online?
- A US citizen with a Class D license
- Someone who is not a US citizen
- A US citizen with a Class M license
- A US citizen with a Class F license
Show answer
Correct answer: Someone who is not a US citizen
Only US citizens can renew online.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-15 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-15)
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You cannot renew your driver's license online if you hold which type of license?
- A regular Class D license
- A regular Class E license
- A regular Class G license
- A commercial driver’s license
Show answer
Correct answer: A commercial driver’s license
Online renewal requires that you do not have a commercial driver’s license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-15 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-15)
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To renew online, your social security number and name must match what is on file with whom?
- The Internal Revenue Service
- Your employer’s payroll office
- The Social Security Administration
- Your insurance company
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Correct answer: The Social Security Administration
They must match the records of the Social Security Administration.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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Online renewal is not available if your license is what?
- Within 90 days of its expiration date
- A Class D license
- Issued in another country
- Suspended or subject to be suspended
Show answer
Correct answer: Suspended or subject to be suspended
A suspended license, or one subject to suspension, cannot be renewed online.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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You cannot renew online if you did what during the last renewal period?
- Renewed by mail or online
- Renewed at a branch office
- Changed your address
- Updated your photo
Show answer
Correct answer: Renewed by mail or online
Online renewal requires that you did not renew by mail or online last time.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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Which of these means you cannot renew your license online?
- Having a license expired for fewer than nine months
- Being a US citizen with a regular license
- Being a Convicted Violent Offender in the SCDMV system
- Having an eight-year license
Show answer
Correct answer: Being a Convicted Violent Offender in the SCDMV system
A Convicted Violent Offender listing in the SCDMV system blocks online renewal.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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You cannot renew your license online if you currently hold which license?
- A regular Class D license with no points
- A conditional or special restricted license
- A Class M motorcycle license
- A regular license of Class E or F
Show answer
Correct answer: A conditional or special restricted license
Holders of a conditional or special restricted license cannot renew online.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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Who must electronically submit the Certificate of Vision Examination for an online renewal?
- You, through your online account
- An SCDMV examiner
- Your insurance provider
- An SC-licensed eye care professional
Show answer
Correct answer: An SC-licensed eye care professional
An SC-licensed eye care professional must submit it electronically, dated within 36 months.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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After an online renewal, where does the SCDMV mail your new license?
- To your nearest branch for pickup
- To your employer
- To the address on file
- To any address you type at checkout
Show answer
Correct answer: To the address on file
The SCDMV mails the renewed license to the address on file.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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How long is the license that a US citizen receives when renewing through the mail?
- Four years
- Six years
- Ten years
- Eight years
Show answer
Correct answer: Eight years
Renewal by mail also gives a US citizen an eight-year license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-16 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-16)
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If you renew your driver’s license by mail, how long before your expiration date should you mail your application and payment?
- At least three weeks
- At least one week
- At least ten days
- At least two months
Show answer
Correct answer: At least three weeks
The SCDMV asks for mail renewals at least three weeks ahead of the expiration date.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-17)
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When you renew your driver’s license by mail, which photograph and signature does the SCDMV use?
- New ones taken at a branch within 30 days
- A photo you send in with the application
- The same ones that are on your current license
- The ones from your beginner’s permit
Show answer
Correct answer: The same ones that are on your current license
For mail renewals the SCDMV reuses the photograph and signature already on your current license.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-17)
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You renew by mail and your vision exam was done by an out-of-state licensed eye care professional. What must you include with the renewal application?
- Only a receipt number from the SCDMV online portal
- The Certificate of Vision Examination
- A letter from your insurance company
- A copy of your last driving record
Show answer
Correct answer: The Certificate of Vision Examination
If an out-of-state licensed eye care professional did the exam, you include the Certificate of Vision Examination itself with the renewal application.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-17)
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You renew by mail and your vision exam was done by an SC-licensed eye care professional. What do you include with the renewal application?
- The signed paper Certificate of Vision Examination
- A copy of your eye care professional’s license
- A statement of your last vision test date from a branch
- The Certificate of Vision Examination receipt number
Show answer
Correct answer: The Certificate of Vision Examination receipt number
SC-licensed professionals submit the certificate online, so you give the receipt number instead of the certificate.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-17)
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To renew in person at a branch, how recent must a Certificate of Vision Examination be for the SCDMV to accept it instead of a branch vision test?
- Dated within the past 36 months
- Dated within the past 12 months
- Dated within the past 24 months
- Dated within the past 60 months
Show answer
Correct answer: Dated within the past 36 months
The SCDMV may accept the certificate if it is dated within the past 36 months.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-17)
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Besides passing a vision test and paying for the license, what must you provide to renew your driver’s license in person?
- Your vehicle’s odometer reading
- The company name of your vehicle insurance
- A certificate from a defensive driving course
- A copy of your birth certificate
Show answer
Correct answer: The company name of your vehicle insurance
In-person renewal requires giving the name of your vehicle insurance company.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-17 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-17)
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What does the manual say about driving with an expired driver’s license?
- You may drive for nine months after it expires
- You may drive for 30 days after it expires
- You may drive with one during daylight hours only
- Do not drive with one
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not drive with one
The manual says plainly not to drive with an expired license; the nine months only matters for how you renew.
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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Your driver’s license has been expired for more than nine months. What must you do?
- Renew it online with a new photo
- Pass a vision test only
- Pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests at an SCDMV branch
- Pass vision and knowledge tests but no skills test
Show answer
Correct answer: Pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests at an SCDMV branch
After more than nine months expired you must visit a branch and pass all three tests, and give current proof of address.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 1-18 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 1-18)