South Carolina General Knowledge Test
Whether you're hauling timber out of Sumter or freight through the Port of Charleston, this test covers the SC-specific rules you need to drive here.
Select Test Mode
This is the South Carolina General Knowledge test — 50 questions, 80% to pass. It covers everything from air brakes to driving in Lowcountry fog.
Key Topics
- •Vehicle inspection
- •Basic control
- •Shifting gears
- •Communicating
- •Hazard perception
- •Night driving
About the South Carolina General Knowledge Test
Topics Covered
- ✓Vehicle inspection — SC examiners watch brake adjustment closely; our humidity accelerates rust on components.
- ✓Basic control — Tight turns in downtown Charleston mean you need to know off-tracking to avoid curbs and parked cars.
- ✓Shifting gears — Rolling hills on I-85 and I-385 demand proper gear selection; grinding gears gets you docked points on the road test.
- + 3 more topics
📘 Study Tips & State Info
SC DMV examiners focus on pre-trip inspection steps and air brake fundamentals — even if you're not taking the Air Brakes endorsement. They'll ask you about slack adjusters, brake chamber stroke, and how to test for leaks. Don't skip those sections in the handbook.
Our practice test mirrors the real 50-question format. SC DMV gives you 60 minutes, but most people finish in 45. Use our timer to get comfortable with the pace. Pay extra attention to questions about log books — South Carolina enforces hours-of-service strictly, and the test reflects that.
One tip: read each question twice. The SC test sometimes uses 'except' and 'not' phrasing that trips up drivers who rush. Take your time, eliminate wrong answers, and you'll pass.
The South Carolina DMV administers CDL knowledge tests at major offices in Columbia (main office on Broad River Road), Charleston (Leeds Avenue), Greenville (Pleasantburg Drive), and several other locations. You must schedule an appointment online — walk-ins are accepted but you might wait hours. Bring your current driver's license, Social Security card, and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical).
Each written knowledge test costs $2.50. You'll pay separately for the General Knowledge test and any endorsement tests you take the same day. The permit itself is $2.50. Payment can be cash, check, or debit/credit card. SC DMV does not accept appointments by phone — use the online portal at scdmvonline.com.
If you fail, you can retake the test the same day if the office has capacity. But I'd recommend studying more first — don't waste your $2.50. The test is available in English only at most locations. SC does not offer the test in Spanish at this time.
About the South Carolina General Knowledge Test
South Carolina's roads aren't just asphalt — they're a mix of coastal humidity, sudden thunderstorms, and heavy truck traffic around the Port of Charleston. The General Knowledge test ensures you know how to handle these conditions before you get behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
We follow federal standards, but SC adds its own flavor. You'll face questions about proper braking on wet roads (common after afternoon downpours), managing load shifts on I-26's curves, and what to do during a hurricane evacuation order.
The test covers vehicle inspection, basic control, and safe driving practices. You'll need to know how to secure cargo for the log trucks that run through the Midlands and the flatbeds heading to the coast.
Every CDL applicant in South Carolina — whether Class A, B, or C — starts here. Pass this test, and you're one step closer to your commercial learner's permit.
Topics Covered
Study Tips
SC DMV examiners focus on pre-trip inspection steps and air brake fundamentals — even if you're not taking the Air Brakes endorsement. They'll ask you about slack adjusters, brake chamber stroke, and how to test for leaks. Don't skip those sections in the handbook.
Our practice test mirrors the real 50-question format. SC DMV gives you 60 minutes, but most people finish in 45. Use our timer to get comfortable with the pace. Pay extra attention to questions about log books — South Carolina enforces hours-of-service strictly, and the test reflects that.
One tip: read each question twice. The SC test sometimes uses 'except' and 'not' phrasing that trips up drivers who rush. Take your time, eliminate wrong answers, and you'll pass.
South Carolina Specific Information
The South Carolina DMV administers CDL knowledge tests at major offices in Columbia (main office on Broad River Road), Charleston (Leeds Avenue), Greenville (Pleasantburg Drive), and several other locations. You must schedule an appointment online — walk-ins are accepted but you might wait hours. Bring your current driver's license, Social Security card, and a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT physical).
Each written knowledge test costs $2.50. You'll pay separately for the General Knowledge test and any endorsement tests you take the same day. The permit itself is $2.50. Payment can be cash, check, or debit/credit card. SC DMV does not accept appointments by phone — use the online portal at scdmvonline.com.
If you fail, you can retake the test the same day if the office has capacity. But I'd recommend studying more first — don't waste your $2.50. The test is available in English only at most locations. SC does not offer the test in Spanish at this time.