South Carolina motorcycle permit practice test
It's based on SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual. Practise South Carolina's own motorcycle rules below, then the full motorcycle manual tests.
South Carolina motorcycle rules
| Permit | Class M beginner's permit at 15 (consent from a qualified person in SC Code 56-1-100(A) if under 18; 15-16-year-olds must pass driver education before the license). May ride alone 6 a.m.-6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time); other hours only with a motorcycle-licensed rider 21+ with one year of experience within a safe viewing distance. Valid 12 months; renewal requires a bona fide skills-test attempt; no more than three renewals. Hold at least 180 days if under 18, 30 days if 18+. |
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| Skills test or course | On-cycle skills test in a controlled off-street area at SCDMV; or an MSF skills test certificate from an SCDMV-approved, contracted third-party tester within 30 days of application. After three or more failed SCDMV skills tests, an SCDMV-authorized motorcycle safety course (with the test as part of it) is required. Training otherwise optional. Testing with a detachable sidecar adds a sidecar restriction; S3 restriction for sidecar-only. |
| Helmet law | Required for operators and passengers under 21 (helmet with neck or chin strap, reflectorized on both sides); not required by law at 21+. Moped operators under 21 must also wear helmets. |
| Eye protection | Operators under 21 must wear goggles or a face shield (moped operators under 21 too). |
| Passengers | Only on a motorcycle designed to carry more than one person behind or beside the operator; passenger footrests required (except sidecar/enclosed cab); passenger sits astride and must reach the footrests with both feet; not in a position that interferes with the operator's view or control. |
| Lane splitting or filtering | Illegal: no riding between lanes or rows of vehicles and no passing in the same lane (police excepted); no more than two abreast in a lane. |
South Carolina motorcycle law questions
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Question 1What is the minimum age for a South Carolina Class M beginner's permit?
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D: 15. You must be at least 15 and pass the knowledge test (and vision test, if applicable) to get a motorcycle beginner's permit. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 2When may a South Carolina motorcycle beginner's permit holder ride without a supervising rider?
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D: During daylight hours. The permit lets you ride unaccompanied in daylight; at night you must be accompanied by a qualified motorcycle-licensed rider. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 3At night, who must accompany a South Carolina motorcycle permit holder?
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B: A motorcycle-licensed rider 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience. At night the permittee must be accompanied by a motorcycle-licensed driver 21+ with at least a year of experience, within a safe viewing distance. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 4How long is a South Carolina motorcycle beginner's permit valid?
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A: 12 months. The Class M beginner's permit is valid for a 12-month period. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 5What must you do before your South Carolina motorcycle permit can be renewed?
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A: Make a genuine attempt to pass the motorcycle skills test. A motorcycle permit cannot be renewed without a bona fide attempt to pass the motorcycle skills test. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 6What happens if you fail the motorcycle skills test at an SCDMV branch three or more times?
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D: You must complete an SCDMV-authorized motorcycle safety course and retest as part of it. After three or more failures at SCDMV branches, you must complete an authorized safety course and take the test in the course; you can't test again at a branch. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 7A 16-year-old in South Carolina wants a motorcycle license. Besides the tests, what must they complete?
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B: A driver education course. If you are 15 or 16, you must pass a driver education course before applying for your motorcycle license. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 8Which form must a South Carolina motorcycle applicant under 18 have signed by a qualified licensed person?
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B: Consent for Minor (SCDMV Form 447-CM). Applicants under 18 need a Consent for Minor form (447-CM) signed by a licensed person listed in SC Code 56-1-100(A). SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-3.
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Question 9Within how many days of application must an MSF skills test certificate from an SCDMV-approved third-party tester be dated to count in South Carolina?
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D: 30 days. SCDMV accepts an MSF skills test certificate if you were tested by an approved, contracted third-party tester within 30 days of application. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: How to Obtain Your Motorcycle License or Permit, page 1-2.
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Question 10You already hold a valid South Carolina car license. Can you take the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests on the same day?
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C: Yes, if you don't want a permit first. If you already have a valid license in a different class, you may try the knowledge and skills tests the same day without getting a permit first. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: How to Obtain Your Motorcycle License or Permit, page 1-2.
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Question 11In South Carolina, which license do you need to drive a three-wheel motorcycle?
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C: Any class of license except a Class G moped license. A motorcycle license is not required for a three-wheel motorcycle; any class except Class G will do. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycles, page 1-5.
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Question 12What does the S3 restriction on a South Carolina Class M license mean?
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B: You may only operate a two-wheel motorcycle with a sidecar attached. With the S3 restriction you must have a sidecar attached to the two-wheel motorcycle; you cannot ride a two-wheeler without it. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycles, page 1-5.
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Question 13Which test must you pass for a South Carolina moped (Class G) license, besides the eye exam?
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A: The motorcycle knowledge test. A moped license applicant must pass an eye exam and the motorcycle knowledge test; SCDMV does not require a skills test for a moped. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Types of Motorcycle and Moped Licenses, page 1-4.
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Question 14A 15-year-old with a South Carolina moped license wants to ride at night. What is required?
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D: Accompaniment by a licensed driver 21+ with at least one year of experience. Moped license holders under 16 may ride alone only in daylight; at night they must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ with one year of experience, as a passenger or within safe viewing distance. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: The Moped Operator, page 1-6.
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Question 15Which South Carolina moped riders must wear a helmet and goggles or a face shield?
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B: Operators under 21. The law requires moped operators under 21 to wear protective helmets and goggles or a face shield. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Moped Safety, page 1-7.
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Question 16Do South Carolina mopeds need an annual inspection?
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B: No, but you should check them before every trip. Mopeds do not have to undergo an annual inspection, but you should check them before each trip. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Moped Safety, page 1-7.
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Question 17Under South Carolina law, who must wear a motorcycle helmet?
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A: Operators and passengers under 21. SC requires motorcycle operators and passengers under 21 to wear approved helmets at all times while riding. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Under 21 Laws, page 1-12.
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Question 18Which features must a required motorcycle helmet have in South Carolina?
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C: A neck or chin strap and reflectorization on both sides. The helmet must be equipped with a neck or chin strap and be reflectorized on both sides. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Under 21 Laws, page 1-12.
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Question 19Which South Carolina motorcycle operators must wear goggles or a face shield?
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B: Operators under 21. SC requires operators under 21 to wear goggles or a face shield. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Under 21 Laws, page 1-13.
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Question 20When must a South Carolina motorcyclist have the headlight on?
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B: Whenever riding on public streets or highways. When operating on public streets or highways you must have the headlights on and burning. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Operational Laws, page 1-13.
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Question 21What must a South Carolina motorcycle have to carry a passenger (other than in a sidecar)?
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D: Footrests for the passenger, and a design for more than one person. You may carry a passenger only if the motorcycle is designed for more than one person, and it must have footrests for the passenger. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Passenger Carrying Laws, page 1-13.
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Question 22How must a South Carolina motorcycle passenger sit (not in a sidecar)?
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D: Astride the seat, able to reach the footrests with both feet. A passenger must straddle the seat and be able to reach the footrests with both feet. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Passenger Carrying Laws, page 1-13.
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Question 23Is lane splitting legal for ordinary motorcyclists in South Carolina?
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C: No; you may not ride between lanes or rows of vehicles. Operating a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles is not allowed, except for police officers on duty. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Lane Usage Laws, page 1-14.
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Question 24What is the most motorcycles that may ride abreast in one South Carolina lane?
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A: Two. Motorcycles are not to be operated more than two abreast in a single lane. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Lane Usage Laws, page 1-14.
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Question 25Under South Carolina's Two Minute Law, how long must a motorcyclist stop at a red light before proceeding with care?
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D: 120 seconds. A motorcyclist may proceed on a steady red after a full stop of 120 seconds (two minutes), treating the signal as a stop sign and proceeding only when safe. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Two Minute Law, page 1-14.
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Question 26Under South Carolina law, what may a motorcyclist not do while riding?
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D: Carry a package that keeps them from keeping both hands on the handlebars. You may not operate a motorcycle while carrying any package or article that prevents you from keeping both hands on the handlebars. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Specific Rules of the Road for Motorcycles: Operational Laws, page 1-13.
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Question 27On a street-legal South Carolina motorcycle, how many white headlights are allowed?
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C: At least one but not more than two. A street-legal motorcycle should have at least one but not more than two white headlights. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Street-Legal Motorcycle, page 1-10.
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Question 28A South Carolina rider aged 21 or older could have their license automatically suspended at what BAC reading?
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B: 0.15% or higher. Riders 21 or older with a BAC reading of 0.15% or higher (0.02% or higher for under 21) can have their license automatically suspended. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Alcohol and the Law, page 1-11.
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Question 29How long can you lose your South Carolina driving privileges for refusing a BAC test?
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A: 6 months. You can lose your driving privileges for 6 months if you refuse to take a BAC test. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Alcohol and the Law, page 1-11.
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Question 30For a South Carolina rider under 21, what BAC reading can lead to automatic license suspension?
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C: 0.02% or higher. Under 21, a BAC reading of 0.02% or higher can bring an automatic suspension. SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual: Alcohol and the Law, page 1-11.
Answer every question to see your score.
Full motorcycle practice tests
300 questions on riding skills and safety from the Motorcycle Operator Manual, which most states use.
Manual: SC Motorcycle and Moped Operator Manual. Source: South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, checked 2026-10-27.