South Carolina road test checklist
For your behind-the-wheel drive test. Print it, or keep it open on your phone.
Bring
- Your old license or your beginner's permit, if you have one.
- A licensed driver to come with you.
- Proof of liability insurance from an insurer licensed in South Carolina.
- A vehicle for the test, with its valid plate, its registration card and its insurance card.
Manual Section 1, page 1-12.
The car
- Headlights, brakes, mirrors, wipers, seat belts, turn signals, speedometer, defroster and horn that all work.
- If the car isn't safe, the test is postponed.
- Wear your seat belt: driving without it fails the test automatically.
- Features like parking assist and cruise control can't be used during the test.
Manual Section 1, pages 1-11 and 1-12.
What you may be asked to do
- Turn on the headlights, wipers, turn signals and four-way flashers, and test your brake lights.
- Change lanes and make right and left turns.
- Identify road signs.
- Parallel park, and park on a hill.
- Back up in a straight line for 100 feet.
- Two-point turnabouts (reverse and forward) and a three-point turnabout.
- Drive on the interstate.
Manual Section 1, pages 1-12 and 1-13.
At 15 or 16, before you book
- You've held your beginner's permit more than 180 days.
- You've finished driver's education: 8 hours in the classroom and 6 hours of driving.
- You're enrolled in school with satisfactory attendance.
- You've practiced at least 40 hours, 10 of them at night, with a parent, guardian or other listed adult, and you have the PDLA form your driver's ed program gives you.
Manual Section 1, pages 1-5 to 1-7.
If you don't pass
- After a first fail, wait two business days to retest.
- After a second fail, wait seven calendar days.
- After a third or later fail, wait 30 calendar days, whatever your age.
Manual Section 1, page 1-13.
From the SCDMV Driver's License Manual, read on October 24, 2026: Section 1, The driver's license (pages 1-5 to 1-13).
Checked against these sources on October 24, 2026.