South Carolina DMV practice test

Official handbook

Key numbers from the handbook

Questions about the South Carolina test

All 46 questions and answers

Read the bank before a mock test. Each answer names the handbook section and the printed page.

1. 1.What does the South Carolina knowledge test cover?

   The Test

   • Traffic laws, road signs and driving safety rules

   The manual says the knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs and driving safety rules. Handbook: Required Non-Commercial License Tests, page 16.

2. 2.What may you not take into the South Carolina knowledge test area?

   The Test

   • Written material or electronic devices

   Written material and electronic devices such as phones, laptops and tablets are not allowed in the knowledge test area. Handbook: Required Non-Commercial License Tests, page 14.

3. 3.What is the minimum age to apply for a South Carolina beginner's permit?

   Licensing and GDL

   • 15

   You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a beginner's permit. Handbook: Beginner's Permit, page 8.

4. 4.If you are 17 or under in South Carolina, how long must you hold a beginner's permit before the skills test?

   Licensing and GDL

   • At least 180 days

   A driver 17 or under must hold a beginner's permit for at least 180 days before taking the skills test for full privileges. Handbook: First-Time Driver's License, page 10.

5. 5.How much supervised driving practice must a South Carolina driver 15 or 16 complete?

   Licensing and GDL

   • 40 hours, including 10 at night

   A 15- or 16-year-old must practice driving for at least 40 hours, including 10 hours of night driving. Handbook: First-Time Driver's License, page 10.

6. 6.How many passengers under 21 may ride with a South Carolina conditional license holder unless a licensed adult 21 or older is present?

   Licensing and GDL

   • No more than two

   A conditional license holder may not have more than two passengers under 21 unless a licensed adult at least 21 is with them, apart from family or school students. Handbook: Conditional License for a 15-year-old, page 11.

7. 7.When may a South Carolina conditional license holder drive alone?

   Licensing and GDL

   • 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., or 8 p.m. during daylight saving time

   A conditional license holder may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., extended to 8 p.m. during daylight saving time. Handbook: Conditional License for a 15-year-old, page 11.

8. 8.What happens to a South Carolina driver under 17 who gets six or more points before holding a license for one year?

   Licensing and GDL

   • The license is suspended for six months

   A driver under 17 with six or more points before holding a license for one year has the license suspended for six months. Handbook: Conditional License for a 15-year-old, page 12.

9. 9.How many points on a South Carolina driving record will suspend a driver who is 17 or older?

   Licensing and GDL

   • 12

   If a driver 17 or older reaches 12 or more points, the license will be suspended. Handbook: How the Point System Works, page 23.

10. 10.What happens to points on a South Carolina driving record after one year?

    Licensing and GDL

    • They are reduced by half

    Points are reduced by half one year after the violation date on the ticket. Handbook: How the Point System Works, page 22.

11. 11.On what roads may a South Carolina golf cart operate?

    Speed and Space

    • Secondary streets and highways with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less

    A golf cart may operate only on secondary streets and highways with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less, within four miles of its registered address or gated community. Handbook: Golf Carts, page 31.

12. 12.What minimum following distance does the South Carolina manual give?

    Speed and Space

    • 4 seconds

    The manual says to keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds between your vehicle and the one in front. Handbook: Providing an Adequate Following Distance, page 99.

13. 13.About how far does it take to stop a vehicle at 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes?

    Speed and Space

    • About 158 feet

    At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking can take about 158 feet. Handbook: Space Management, page 98.

14. 14.Under ideal conditions, how far does a loaded truck traveling at 55 mph need to stop?

    Speed and Space

    • At least 335 feet

    A loaded truck at 55 mph with good tires and brakes needs a minimum of 335 feet to stop under ideal conditions. Handbook: Sharing the Road, page 118.

15. 15.What does a steady red traffic light mean in South Carolina?

    Signals and Signs

    • Stop before entering the intersection, unless a sign permits a right turn on red after yielding

    On red you must stop before entering the intersection; you may turn right on red unless a sign prohibits it, after stopping and yielding. Handbook: Traffic Signals, page 62.

16. 16.What should you do at a flashing yellow traffic light?

    Signals and Signs

    • Slow down and proceed with caution

    A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution, prepared to stop for other traffic. Handbook: Traffic Signals, page 62.

17. 17.How should you treat a flashing red traffic light in South Carolina?

    Signals and Signs

    • Stop and use the same procedure as at a stop sign

    A flashing red light means stop behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection and use the same procedure as at a stop sign. Handbook: Traffic Signals, page 62.

18. 18.What do warning signs usually look like in South Carolina?

    Signals and Signs

    • Yellow diamonds with black lettering or symbols

    Warning signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and are typically diamond shaped. Handbook: Traffic Signs, page 63.

19. 19.What color are South Carolina work zone signs?

    Signals and Signs

    • Orange with black letters or symbols

    Work zone signs are generally orange with black letters or symbols. Handbook: Work Zone Signs, page 66.

20. 20.What does a stop sign require you to do if no stop line or crosswalk is present?

    Signals and Signs

    • Stop at the point nearest the intersection where you can see in both directions without entering cross traffic

    Without a stop line, stop at the point nearest the intersection where you can see both directions without entering the cross traffic lane. Handbook: Traffic Signs, page 69.

21. 21.What does a yield sign mean in South Carolina?

    Signals and Signs

    • Slow down and allow traffic that has the right-of-way to cross before you enter

    A yield sign means slow down and allow traffic that has the right-of-way to cross before entering. Handbook: Traffic Signs, page 69.

22. 22.Under South Carolina's First Car Rule, whom should you yield to at an intersection?

    Right of Way

    • The driver who is at or arrives before you

    You should yield the right-of-way to the driver who is at or arrives before you at the intersection. Handbook: Yielding Right-of-Way, page 60.

23. 23.Who has the right-of-way when you are making a left turn in South Carolina?

    Right of Way

    • Drivers in the opposing traffic lane

    You must yield to drivers in the opposing traffic lane when making a left turn. Handbook: Yielding Right-of-Way, page 61.

24. 24.At a four-way stop, who goes first if two drivers arrive at the same time?

    Right of Way

    • The driver on the right

    Under the Same Time Rule, at a four-way stop the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Handbook: Yielding Right-of-Way, page 61.

25. 25.Whom must you yield to when entering a highway from a driveway or private road?

    Right of Way

    • Drivers on the public highway

    You must yield to drivers on the public highway when entering from a driveway or private road. Handbook: Yielding Right-of-Way, page 61.

26. 26.Whom must you yield to when entering an interstate from an acceleration ramp?

    Right of Way

    • Drivers already on the interstate

    You must yield to drivers already on a limited access or interstate highway when entering from the ramp. Handbook: Yielding Right-of-Way, page 61.

27. 27.When must a South Carolina driver stop for a school bus?

    School Buses

    • The entire time it is stopped or preparing to stop with red or amber lights flashing, or its stop arm extended

    You must stop for the entire time a school bus is stopped or preparing to stop with red or amber lights flashing or its stop arm extended. Handbook: Rules for School Buses, page 83.

28. 28.When does a South Carolina driver not have to stop for a school bus on a multi-lane highway?

    School Buses

    • When traveling in the opposite direction

    On a multi-lane highway with at least two lanes each way, a driver traveling in the opposite direction need not stop; you must always stop when behind the bus. Handbook: Rules for School Buses, page 85.

29. 29.When may you proceed after stopping for a South Carolina school bus?

    School Buses

    • When the bus moves or the red lights are no longer flashing

    After stopping, do not proceed until the school bus moves or the red lights are no longer flashing. Handbook: Rules for School Buses, page 85.

30. 30.If you must stop for traffic near railroad tracks in South Carolina, where should you stop?

    Railroad Crossings

    • At the stop line before the railroad tracks

    If you need to stop for traffic or a signal, stop at the stop line before the railroad tracks. Handbook: Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, page 66.

31. 31.What should you do if your vehicle gets stuck on railroad tracks in South Carolina?

    Railroad Crossings

    • Call the emergency phone number listed on the blue sign and give the crossing information

    If your vehicle gets stuck on a track, contact the emergency phone number on the blue sign and provide the crossing information. Handbook: Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, page 66.

32. 32.How should you cross railroad tracks when it is safe?

    Railroad Crossings

    • Look both ways and cross quickly without stopping

    Look both ways and cross the tracks quickly without stopping. Handbook: Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, page 66.

33. 33.What type of seat belt enforcement law does South Carolina have?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • Primary enforcement

    South Carolina has primary enforcement: an officer may stop a driver seen not wearing a safety belt or using a child restraint. Handbook: Using Safety Belts, page 49.

34. 34.Who is responsible for seat belt use in a South Carolina vehicle?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • The driver must be sure all passengers use safety belts or child restraints

    Always fasten your safety belt and make sure all your passengers are using safety belts or child restraints. Handbook: Using Safety Belts, page 48.

35. 35.How must a South Carolina child under 2 ride?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • In a rear-facing car seat in the back seat

    A child under 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat in the back seat until the child exceeds the seat's height or weight limit. Handbook: Child Passenger Safety Laws, page 50.

36. 36.When may a South Carolina child be restrained by an adult safety belt?

    Seat Belts and Children

    • At age 8 or at least 57 inches tall, when the belt fits properly

    A child at least 8 years old or 57 inches tall may use an adult safety belt if the belt fits properly; younger children need a booster. Handbook: Child Passenger Safety Laws, page 51.

37. 37.At what BAC may South Carolina suspend your driver's license after a DUI or DUAC conviction?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • 0.15 percent or more

    A conviction with a BAC of 0.15 percent or more, a DUI or DUAC conviction, or a refusal of implied consent testing may suspend your license. Handbook: Alcohol and the Law, page 38.

38. 38.What happens in South Carolina if a driver under 21 registers a BAC of 0.02 percent or greater?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • Driving privileges are suspended immediately for at least three months

    A driver under 21 who registers 0.02 percent or greater has driving privileges suspended immediately for at least three months. Handbook: Alcohol and the Law, page 38.

39. 39.What happens in South Carolina if a driver under 21 refuses to take an intoxicant test?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • The driver immediately loses driving privileges for at least six months

    A driver under 21 who refuses the test immediately loses driving privileges for at least six months. Handbook: Alcohol and the Law, page 38.

40. 40.What does South Carolina's implied consent law require of a driver asked to take a breath, blood or urine test?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • The driver is required to take the test

    Under implied consent, you are required to take breath, blood and urine tests when asked by a police officer. Handbook: Alcohol and the Law, page 39.

41. 41.Besides the legal BAC limit, when can a South Carolina driver still be convicted of driving impaired?

    Alcohol and Drugs

    • At 0.05 percent or lower in combination with drugs

    You can be convicted of driving impaired even with a BAC of only 0.05 percent or lower in combination with drugs. Handbook: Alcohol and the Law, page 38.

42. 42.What does the South Carolina Hands-Free Act prohibit while driving?

    Sharing the Road

    • Physically holding a mobile device, reading or writing text, or viewing moving images

    The Act prohibits holding or supporting a mobile device, reading, writing or sending text, and viewing moving images while driving. Handbook: South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, page 35.

43. 43.What is the fine for a first offense under the South Carolina Hands-Free Act?

    Sharing the Road

    • $100

    A first offense carries a $100 fine; later offenses carry $200 and two points. Handbook: South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, page 36.

44. 44.What must you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren on in South Carolina?

    Sharing the Road

    • Yield by pulling over to the edge of the road

    You must yield right-of-way by pulling over to the edge of the road so the emergency vehicle can pass, without blocking intersections or driveways. Handbook: Emergency Vehicles, page 121.

45. 45.How do you enter and exit a South Carolina roundabout?

    Sharing the Road

    • Counterclockwise, signal your intent and exit at the appropriate exit

    Enter a roundabout counterclockwise, proceed to the appropriate exit, signal and exit. Handbook: Roundabouts, page 82.

46. 46.What is a large vehicle's No Zone?

    Sharing the Road

    • An area around the vehicle where the driver cannot see you

    No Zones are areas around a large vehicle where the driver cannot see you, which makes it dangerous to linger alongside. Handbook: Sharing the Road, page 118.

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