South Carolina CDL practice test
Published Updated Licensing sources checked:
How do I prepare for the South Carolina CDL knowledge test?
If you are preparing for your first permit, start with general knowledge and the official South Carolina instructions below. If your vehicle needs air brakes or combination vehicles, add those federal study sets; for hazardous materials, use the separate hazmat set. Compare the state’s published test rules with its current manual before you test. These practice sets teach federal topics and do not copy the state exam.
This page is study material. It is not the South Carolina state exam, and it does not copy state test questions. Check the official South Carolina pages below before you test.
| Your situation | Start with… |
|---|---|
| A quick first try | Take a 10-question warm-up |
| Ready for a longer attempt | Take the 50-question general knowledge exam |
| Need state rules or documents | Check the South Carolina application steps |
South Carolina SCDMV commercial driver manual (PDF) — link checked . Study its rules alongside our federal-standard bank. Our 50-question exam length is a study setting; use the official counts below for South Carolina.
SCDMV’s manual Knowledge Examinations section prints a passing score of 80 percent or higher. Its testing page identifies the subjects below. The testing sections checked November 12, 2026 do not print question counts; our federal practice lengths do not describe the South Carolina exam.
Which tests do I need in South Carolina?
| Your vehicle or work | Required study and tests |
|---|---|
| All permit applicants | Start with general knowledge. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Class A combination vehicle | Add combination vehicles. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Vehicle with air brakes | Add air brakes and check restriction rules. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Passenger vehicle | Add passenger testing. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| School bus | Study school bus and passenger topics; check state requirements. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Tank vehicle | Add tank vehicle testing. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Hazardous materials | Add hazmat testing and check approval and training steps. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
| Doubles or triples | Add doubles and triples testing; check vehicle limits. Official requirements. Federal warm-up · Federal exam mode |
Knowledge practice does not complete the vehicle inspection, control and road tests. Confirm the current SCDMV requirements for your vehicle and endorsements.
Before booking the exam, check South Carolina CDL application steps and official fee lines.
| Test | Questions | To pass | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| Combination vehicles, for Class A | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| Air brakes, if applicable | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| Passenger | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| Tank vehicle | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| School bus | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| Hazardous materials | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
| Doubles and triples | Not printed on the pages checked | 80 percent | State sourceState source |
South Carolina language, permit and booking notes — checked 2026-11-12
SCDMV’s first-CDL page lists a $15 application fee, $2 for each knowledge test and $2.50 for the CLP. The manual says the knowledge-test charge applies to every attempt, whether you pass or fail. Official sourceOfficial source — checked .
The first-CDL page requires holding the CLP at least 14 days before skills testing. Adding an endorsement later requires passing all applicable knowledge tests again. Official source — checked .
CDL knowledge tests are available at any SCDMV branch. SCDMV does not allow testing after 4:00 p.m.; written materials and electronic devices are prohibited in the knowledge-test area. Official source — checked .
For unknown figures, check with the South Carolina licensing agency. A blank count is not an estimate.
Federal study sets, not the South Carolina exam
Use general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles, and hazmat to study the federal topics. Finishing one of those sets does not mean you passed the South Carolina test.