South Carolina DMV Test Day: What to Expect

You need 80 percent or better to pass the South Carolina knowledge exam. The SCDMV states this threshold in its own online practice exam, which draws from the same storehouse of exam questions; the printed manual and the SCDMV's testing pages do not print a passing score.

Source: SCDMV Driver's License Practice Exam, Review (results) page, retrieved 2026-08-22: "A score of 80% or higher is needed to pass the exam."

The number of questions is not published. Neither the handbook nor the agency states a count, so prepare for the whole manual rather than budgeting a number of misses.

No waiting period is published for the knowledge test. The manual publishes waits for the skills test only, and those do not carry over, so ask at the counter before you leave.

The beginner's permit costs $2.50, paid after you pass the knowledge test.

Source: SC DMV, Beginner Permits ("It is $2.00 for a knowledge test and $2.50 for the beginner's permit after you pass the knowledge test"); SC DMV, Fees ("Beginner's Permit (original, renewal, duplicate, and modified) $2.50")

The knowledge test costs $2 for each attempt, paid before you test.

Source: SC DMV, Beginner Permits ("It is $2.00 for a knowledge test and $2.50 for the beginner's permit after you pass the knowledge test"); SC DMV, Fees ("Knowledge Test $2 each")

A driver's license is issued for eight years and costs $25.

Source: SC DMV, Fees ("8-year License $25")

$25

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 1: The Driver's License, p. 1-16 to 1-17

The SCDMV charges $2.00 each time you take the knowledge test; the $2.50 beginner's permit fee is paid only after you pass. SC Code 56-1-130(A) directs the department to charge a fee for each examination or reexamination.

Source: SCDMV web page 'Beginner's Permit' (dmv.sc.gov, accessed 2026-08-22): "It is $2.00 for a knowledge test and $2.50 for the beginner's permit after you pass the knowledge test."