South Carolina Driver License: The License, Permits, the GDL, Tests, Points and Suspensions

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: The License, Permits, the GDL, Tests, Points and Suspensions. Free, no account needed.

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1. A 15-year-old wants to drive only a moped and holds no other license. What must they do to qualify?

  1. Pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests for Class M
  2. Obtain a Class D license first
  3. Pass only the vision and knowledge tests for Class G
  4. Hold a beginner's permit for 180 days first

Answer: C — Pass only the vision and knowledge tests for Class G

A moped license is Class G, minimum age 15, requiring only the vision and knowledge tests.

2. A commercial driver operates a small bus rated under 26,001 pounds, built for 20 passengers, with no hazardous materials placard. Which license class applies?

  1. Class E
  2. Class F
  3. Class C
  4. Class B

Answer: C — Class C

Class C covers commercial vehicles built for 16 or more passengers.

3. A company truck combination is rated at 30,000 pounds and tows a trailer weighing 12,000 pounds. Which commercial class is required?

  1. Class B
  2. Class C
  3. Class F
  4. Class A

Answer: D — Class A

Class A covers combinations rated 26,001 pounds or more with a towed unit over 10,000 pounds.

4. Which vehicle can be driven with a Class D license without any additional endorsement?

  1. A single-unit truck over 26,000 pounds
  2. A bus built for 16 or more passengers
  3. A three-wheel vehicle
  4. A two-wheel motorcycle with a detachable sidecar

Answer: C — A three-wheel vehicle

Class D covers non-commercial passenger vehicles up to 26,000 pounds and also a moped or three-wheel vehicle.

5. A driver already holds a valid Class D license and wants to also apply for a separate Class M license from a different office as a backup card. Is this permitted?

  1. Yes, up to two licenses per person
  2. No, but only for commercial classes
  3. No, each driver may hold only one license, endorsed for one or more classes
  4. Yes, if issued in different counties

Answer: C — No, each driver may hold only one license, endorsed for one or more classes

A driver holds only one license, endorsed for one or more classes; holding more than one is illegal.

6. A non-citizen is applying for a first driver's permit. Which checklist of documents do they use?

  1. The school attendance certification form (PDLA)
  2. The US Citizen's Checklist (MV-93)
  3. The International Customers' Checklist (MV-94)
  4. The ADSAP enrollment form

Answer: C — The International Customers' Checklist (MV-94)

Non-citizens use the International Customers' Checklist, form MV-94, at branches serving international customers.

7. A 16-year-old beginner's permit holder wants to drive at 11 p.m. accompanied by a 22-year-old friend who has held a license for 6 months. Is this allowed?

  1. No, permit holders cannot drive after 6 p.m. at all
  2. Yes, since the friend is over 21
  3. Yes, any licensed driver over 21 suffices at any hour before midnight
  4. No, before midnight the accompanying driver must be at least 21 with at least one year of experience

Answer: D — No, before midnight the accompanying driver must be at least 21 with at least one year of experience

Before midnight, the supervising driver must be at least 21 with at least one year of experience; the friend has only 6 months.

8. A 17-year-old obtains a beginner's permit on March 1. What is the earliest they may apply for a license?

  1. 90 days later
  2. Their 18th birthday
  3. 30 days later
  4. The 181st day after March 1

Answer: D — The 181st day after March 1

At 17 or under, the permit must be held at least 180 days, with application possible on the 181st day.

9. An 18-year-old obtains a beginner's permit. What is the minimum holding period before applying for a license?

  1. 60 days
  2. 30 days
  3. 180 days
  4. 90 days

Answer: B — 30 days

At 18 or older, the permit must be held at least 30 days.

10. A 16-year-old must log practice hours before getting a license. How many total hours are required, and how many must be at night?

  1. 40 hours total, no night requirement
  2. 20 hours total, 5 at night
  3. 50 hours total, 10 at night
  4. 40 hours total, 10 at night

Answer: D — 40 hours total, 10 at night

A 15- or 16-year-old must log 40 hours of practice including ten at night.

11. A person is 15 years and 8 months old and wants a conditional license after meeting the requirements. Are they eligible?

  1. No, they must first complete a full year on a permit
  2. Yes, since 15 is the minimum age for any license
  3. No, the minimum age is 16
  4. Yes, the minimum age is 15½

Answer: D — Yes, the minimum age is 15½

A conditional license is available at 15½ but under 16 after meeting requirements.

12. A conditional license holder wants to drive three friends, all under 21, to a movie theater with no adult in the car. Is this permitted?

  1. No, no more than two passengers under 21 are allowed unless a licensed adult at least 21 rides along
  2. No, passengers under 21 are never allowed
  3. Yes, up to three passengers are allowed
  4. Yes, if all are immediate family

Answer: A — No, no more than two passengers under 21 are allowed unless a licensed adult at least 21 rides along

A conditional license restricts passengers under 21 to no more than two unless a licensed adult 21+ rides along.

13. During daylight saving time, until what time may a conditional license holder drive alone?

  1. 6 p.m.
  2. 8 p.m.
  3. Midnight
  4. 10 p.m.

Answer: B — 8 p.m.

Driving alone is limited to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., extended to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time.

14. A 16-year-old holds a special restricted license with a waiver for work purposes. What is the absolute latest they may drive alone?

  1. 8 p.m.
  2. Midnight
  3. 6 a.m. the following day
  4. There is no time limit once the waiver is granted

Answer: B — Midnight

The waiver allows driving alone until midnight, never after.

15. A driver under 17 has held a license for 8 months and accumulates six points. What happens?

  1. Suspension for twelve months
  2. A warning letter only
  3. Nothing, since they've held the license less than a year
  4. Suspension for six months

Answer: D — Suspension for six months

A driver under 17 who gets six or more points before holding the license a year is suspended for six months.

16. A knowledge test candidate brings a cell phone into the test area but never uses it. What happens?

  1. It's allowed as long as it's turned off
  2. Nothing, since it wasn't used
  3. A warning only for a first offense
  4. Automatic failure

Answer: D — Automatic failure

Bringing an electronic device such as a phone into the test area causes automatic failure of the knowledge test.

17. A moped license applicant is required to take which tests?

  1. Vision, knowledge, and skills
  2. Vision only
  3. Vision and knowledge only
  4. Skills only

Answer: C — Vision and knowledge only

Every first license needs all three tests except the moped license, which has no skills test.

18. During a skills test, the examiner discovers the vehicle's turn signals don't work. What happens?

  1. The examiner repairs it before testing
  2. The test is postponed
  3. Automatic failure with no retest for 30 days
  4. The test proceeds as long as the headlights work

Answer: B — The test is postponed

Turn signals are on the required equipment list for a safe vehicle, and an unsafe vehicle postpones the skills test.

19. A skills test candidate forgets to wear a seat belt during the test but drives correctly otherwise. What is the result?

  1. A warning, with a retake of the belt check only
  2. Automatic failure
  3. A point deduction only
  4. They pass since the driving was correct

Answer: B — Automatic failure

Not using your seat belt fails the skills test automatically.

20. A candidate fails the skills test for the second time. How long must they wait before retesting?

  1. Seven calendar days
  2. Two business days
  3. 30 calendar days
  4. 14 calendar days

Answer: A — Seven calendar days

After a second failure the wait is seven calendar days.

21. A person moves permanently to South Carolina holding a valid license from another state and is neither active-duty military nor a US government employee. Within how many days must they apply for a South Carolina license?

  1. 60 days
  2. 90 days
  3. 45 days
  4. 30 days

Answer: C — 45 days

A new permanent resident applies within 45 days unless active-duty military or a US government employee.

22. A new resident's out-of-state license expired 10 months before they apply for a South Carolina license. What must they do?

  1. Nothing extra, just surrender the old license
  2. Take all three tests
  3. Take only the vision test
  4. Take only the knowledge test

Answer: B — Take all three tests

If the out-of-state license has been expired more than nine months, all three tests are required.

23. A person moves out of South Carolina and cancels their South Carolina insurance before returning their license plate. What is the consequence?

  1. A fee of up to $400
  2. A flat $100 fine
  3. Automatic nationwide suspension of driving privileges
  4. No consequence

Answer: A — A fee of up to $400

Returning the plate before canceling insurance is required, or the person owes up to $400 in fees.

24. A US citizen with a regular license, no CDL, and a clean record renews online. What is the length of the resulting license?

  1. Eight years
  2. Four years
  3. Five years
  4. Ten years

Answer: A — Eight years

Qualifying US citizens may renew online or by mail for an eight-year license.

25. A driver's license expired 5 months ago. What must the driver do to legally drive again?

  1. Take the vision, knowledge, and skills tests
  2. Wait until it has been expired at least 9 months
  3. Renew online automatically
  4. Renew at a branch without testing

Answer: D — Renew at a branch without testing

A license expired nine months or less can be renewed at a branch without testing.

26. A 16-year-old beginner's permit holder accumulates four points. What happens?

  1. SCDMV sends a written notice
  2. Automatic suspension
  3. A mandatory defensive driving course
  4. Nothing

Answer: A — SCDMV sends a written notice

At 15 or 16 the SCDMV writes to the driver at two and four points.

27. A 20-year-old driver accumulates twelve points on their record. What happens?

  1. A mandatory defensive driving course only
  2. Suspension
  3. A warning letter only
  4. Nothing until age 21

Answer: B — Suspension

At 17 or older, the SCDMV suspends the license at 12 or more points.

28. A driver wants to reduce points by taking a defensive driving course entirely online. Does this qualify?

  1. No, it must be taken in a classroom, not online
  2. Yes
  3. Yes, if approved in advance by SCDMV
  4. Only for first-time offenders

Answer: A — No, it must be taken in a classroom, not online

The defensive driving course must be taken in a classroom, not online, to reduce points.

29. A driver under a DUI-related suspension needs to get to work and has no prior use of this type of license. Which special license allows driving only to and from work, college, or home?

  1. Conditional license
  2. Temporary alcohol license
  3. Provisional license
  4. Route-restricted license

Answer: D — Route-restricted license

A route-restricted license allows driving to and from work, college, or home along an approved route.

30. A family wants to drive their golf cart on a public secondary road at night, within two miles of their registered address. Is this permitted?

  1. Yes, if the driver is over 18
  2. No, golf carts are never allowed on public roads
  3. Yes, since it's within the four-mile limit
  4. No, golf carts may only be driven in daylight

Answer: D — No, golf carts may only be driven in daylight

Golf carts may be driven in daylight only, regardless of distance from home.

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