South Carolina Permit Practice Test — DMV Written Test, Free to Start

Free 10-question South Carolina permit practice test, then 40-question practice tests, each question cited to the South Carolina Driver's Manual.

The exam

This practice test is 40 questions, and 32 correct is a pass. Everything on it comes out of South Carolina Driver's Manual. Officially it is the knowledge test; most people call it the written test, or the permit test.

South Carolina does not publish how many questions its knowledge test asks, or the score that passes it. This practice test asks 40 and passes at 32.

How this works

Most practice tests hand you a bank of questions and leave the manual somewhere else. This one puts them together.

You read one law and the reason behind it, then answer a question on that law while it is still fresh. Get it right and you move on; get it wrong and you have found the gap while it is cheap to fix, not on the morning of the exam.

Learning one rule at a time, and proving it immediately, is what turns a manual you skimmed into something you actually know — and it makes studying feel like getting somewhere rather than like waiting to find out.

Ask a question about South Carolina road law

Easier than searching the manual: ask in your own words — how far from a fire hydrant you may park, when you must stop for a school bus — and the answer comes from South Carolina Driver's Manual or South Carolina’s code, with the page or the section it is in. When neither says, the answer says so rather than guess. Or tick Nationwide and compare every state on one question.

Ask a question

South Carolina driving law, answered

South Carolina driving questions, answered

What it costs

  • One payment, once — not a subscription. Nothing renews and there is nothing to cancel, for an exam you sit one time.
  • Free to start: a 10-question test and the first section of cards. No sign-up and no account.
  • Paying opens the rest of the cards, unlimited full-length practice tests, and retests built from exactly the questions you got wrong.
  • Every level up to Prepared — 3 tests passed in a row.
  • Do the work, fail the real exam, and we refund you.

What South Carolina tests

95 concepts, 483 separate rules. Each one is a page of its own.

Questions from the South Carolina test

What may you drive with a Class D license?

Non-commercial vehicles of up to 26,000 pounds. Bigger vehicles are harder to handle and to stop, so the class you hold sets how heavy a vehicle you may drive. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.5: “Class D: Allows you to drive non-commercial passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, which do not exceed 26,000 pounds GVW.”

How old must you be to get a beginner's permit in South Carolina?

15 years old. Setting a minimum age keeps the first stage of supervised practice for teenagers who can be expected to handle it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.8: “You must be at least 15 years old.”

How many hours of supervised driving practice must a 15- or 16-year-old complete?

At least 40 hours. Skill comes from hours behind the wheel, and a set minimum stops a teen from reaching a license on a handful of short drives. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.9: “If you are 15 or 16, you must practice driving for at least 40 hours, including ten hours of night driving with one of the individuals listed below:”

What driver's education must a 15- or 16-year-old complete before a first license?

8 hours in class and 6 hours driving. Formal instruction teaches the habits and hazards a family supervisor may never think to cover. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.10: “You completed a driver’s education course (eight hours in the classroom and six hours driving).”

Which drivers does South Carolina's graduated driver's license program cover?

Drivers 15 to 17 years of age. New teen drivers crash more than any other group, so their freedom behind the wheel is phased in as they gain experience. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.11: “The graduated driver’s license program is for individuals 15 to 17 years of age.”

With a conditional or special restricted license, until when may you drive alone during standard time?

Until 6 p.m.. Daylight hours give a new driver the best view of the road and fewer impaired or tired drivers around them. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.11: “You may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight savings time).”

What does a special restricted license with a waiver allow?

Driving alone until midnight for work or activities. Jobs and school activities often end after dark, and the waiver lets a teen get home from them without an adult. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.13: “The special restricted license with a waiver allows you to drive by yourself until midnight if you work or participate in certain extracurricular activities.”

When do you earn full driving privileges after a conditional or special restricted license?

At 17, or after 1 clean year on the license. Restrictions are lifted only once a young driver has shown a clean year, so a poor record keeps them in place. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.13: “You will earn full driving privileges at 17, or after keeping your conditional or special restricted license for one year,”

After moving permanently to South Carolina, how soon must you apply for an SC license?

Within 45 days. Your license needs to tie you to South Carolina's records so your driving history and points follow you here. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.17: “If you have a valid driver's license or identification (ID) card from another state and permanently move to SC, you must apply for an SC license or ID within forty-five (45) days of moving to SC unless you are active-duty military or an employee of the US Government.”

Which test must you pass to renew your driver's license?

A vision test. Eyesight can decline between renewals without a driver noticing, and the road demands clear sight. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.19: “You must pass a vision test to renew your driver’s license.”

Can a speeding conviction in Georgia add points to your SC license?

Yes, out-of-state convictions count. A driver's habits do not change at the state line, so convictions anywhere are posted to the SC record. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.22: “You may earn points against your SC driver's license when you violate traffic laws, which include violations committed outside of the state.”

How many points will get a beginner's permit holder suspended for excessive points?

6 or more. Learners and teen drivers are held to a lower point limit because their errors are a sign of inexperience that can turn deadly. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.23: “If you hold a beginner’s permit, conditional or special restricted driver’s license and you accumulate six or more points, your driving privileges will be suspended for having excessive points.”

How can you have points on your record reduced?

By finishing a defensive driving course. Retraining is offered as a way back for drivers who are willing to correct their habits. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.23: “If you have points, you may have them reduced if you complete the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving Course or an equivalent.”

Can a driver get a provisional license for a first DUI committed in 2025?

No, not after May 19, 2024. For a DUI on or after May 19, 2024, a provisional license is no longer one of the ways back to driving. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.25: “The provisional DL is not available for any DUI or DUAC that takes place on or after May 19, 2024.”

Within how many days must you file for an administrative hearing to be eligible for a Temporary Alcohol License?

30 days. The hearing decides whether the suspension stands, and the deadline keeps that challenge prompt. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.27: “You may be eligible for a Temporary Alcohol license (TAL) if you have one of the following suspensions and have filed for an administrative hearing within 30 days:”

What can happen to a person who throws trash along a South Carolina highway?

They can be arrested and fined. Roadside trash is a hazard to drivers and costs the state to clear, so the penalty reaches as far as arrest. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.30: “It is against the law to throw trash along the streets and highways. Offenders can be arrested and fined.”

What is required to drive a golf cart in South Carolina?

Age 16 and a valid driver's license. A golf cart on a public street shares the road with cars, so its driver must already be a licensed driver. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.30: “You must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license to drive a golf cart.”

Your license requires corrective lenses. When must you wear them?

Whenever you drive a motor vehicle. Without clear vision a driver struggles to identify traffic, spot trouble and respond in time. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.33: “It is unlawful for you to drive a motor vehicle without the use of corrective lenses if they are required to meet the minimum standards.”

What happens if you fail the eye test at an SCDMV branch office?

A licensed eye care professional must test you. A failed office screening does not end the matter; a professional exam settles whether you can be licensed and with what restriction. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.33: “A licensed eye care professional must test your vision if you fail SCDMV’s test or choose not to be tested in the branch office.”

How does fatigue affect a driver?

It affects vision and slows decisions. A tired driver both sees hazards later and reacts to them more slowly. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.34: “Fatigue can affect your vision and increase the time to make decisions.”

Under SC law, a wireless device may not be used while driving if it requires what?

The use of either hand. A hand on a phone is a hand off the wheel, and the task pulls your eyes and mind off the road. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.35: “It is unlawful in SC to use a wireless electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle if it requires the use of either hand.”

Under South Carolina's Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, what may you not do with a phone while driving?

Hold or support it with any part of your body. Holding a device takes a hand and attention from the wheel, so the law bans the holding itself, not just calls. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.36: “Physically hold or support a mobile electronic device with any part of their body,”

What makes driving "aggressive"?

Intentionally endangering people or property. What separates aggressive driving from a mistake is intent, which is why patience and courtesy are the cure. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.36: “Aggressive driving occurs when an individual intentionally commits an action that endangers other persons or property.”

About what share of fatal traffic collisions each year involve alcohol or other impairing drugs?

About 40%. Impaired driving is behind a large share of road deaths, which is why the penalties are severe. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.37: “Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic collisions in which someone is killed each year.”

What does BAC measure?

Alcohol as a percentage of your blood. BAC is the measure the law's limits are written in, so knowing what it means makes the limits understandable. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.38: “BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is the percentage of alcohol in relation to the amount of blood in your body.”

Under SC's implied consent law, what must you do if a police officer asks you to take a breath test?

Submit to the test. Testing is the evidence of impairment, so the law makes cooperation a condition of driving. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.39: “You are required to take breath, blood, and urine tests if asked by a police officer due to SC’s implied consent law.”

How can over-the-counter drugs for colds or allergies affect your driving?

They can make you drowsy. Drugs bought without a prescription feel harmless but can impair a driver much as alcohol does. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.40: “Over-the-counter drugs taken for headaches, colds, allergies, or those to calm nerves can make you drowsy and affect your driving.”

How can strong emotions affect your driving?

They interfere with thinking and attention. Strong emotion narrows attention, so an upset driver can miss what is happening on the road. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.41: “Emotions can increase your risk of driving safely by interfering with your ability to think, creating a lack of attention, and interrupting your ability to process information.”

Which change commonly affects drivers as they age?

Less keen hearing and eyesight. Recognizing these changes lets older drivers adjust their habits before they lead to a crash. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.41: “As age progresses, hearing and eyesight are often less keen.”

How often does the manual say to check tire pressure with a gauge?

Once a month. Tires with too much or too little air can cause a crash, and you cannot feel the pressure change as you drive. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.44: “Check Tire Pressure with a Pressure Gauge Monthly”

What can slouching in the driver's seat do?

Reduce how well the restraints work. Belts and air bags are designed around a driver sitting upright; a slouched body meets them in the wrong place. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.46: “Improper seating positions, such as slouching, can result in reduced effectiveness of the vehicle's restraint system.”

Which mirror is the primary mirror for viewing the rear?

The interior rearview mirror. It shows the traffic flow straight behind you; the outside mirrors are set to cover the sides. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.46: “The rearview mirror (the interior mirror on the windshield) is the primary mirror to view the rear.”

What does the manual tell a driver to do about passengers' belts?

Make sure every passenger is buckled or restrained. An unbelted passenger is thrown about in a crash and can injure the people around them as well. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.48: “Always fasten your safety belt and make sure all your passengers are using safety belts or child restraints.”

How does a safety belt help the air bag protect you?

It positions your body for the air bag. An unbelted body moves toward the air bag as it inflates and can be hurt by it instead of cushioned. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.50: “position your body to maximize the air bag's benefits and help restrain you during collisions.”

Where must a rear-facing child safety seat never be placed?

In front of an air bag. An inflating air bag strikes the back of a rear-facing seat right where the child's head is. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.50: “You must never place a rear-facing child safety seat in front of an air bag.”

What is a driver who fails to secure a load guilty of?

A misdemeanor. Cargo that falls or blows off a vehicle becomes a hazard for every driver behind it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.51: “A driver who fails to properly secure their load is guilty of a misdemeanor and may face a fine and the cost to have the substance of their load cleaned up.”

How should you treat features like lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking?

As aids you do not rely on alone. These features assist the driver but are not there to drive the vehicle, and they can miss what a head check would catch. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.53: “Do not rely on safety features alone.”

Where is your right foot when you start the engine?

On the brake pedal. Holding the brake keeps the vehicle from moving if it is not fully in park when the engine catches. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.54: “To start the engine, place your right foot on the brake pedal and check the gear selector lever for park.”

When backing up, which way do you turn the steering wheel?

The way you want the vehicle to go. Backing confuses many drivers, but the rule is the same either way, which keeps you from turning the wrong way. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.55: “A steering wheel is turned in the direction you want the vehicle to move, whether moving forward or in reverse.”

Above what speed does the manual say to use hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering?

10-15 mph. At normal speeds only small turns are needed, and keeping hands on their own sides keeps the car steady. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.56: “activity going forward above 10-15 mph.”

When should you first check behind your vehicle before backing?

Before you get into the vehicle. Once you are seated, the area right behind the car is hidden from every mirror and window. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.58: “Check behind the vehicle before you get in it.”

Another driver reached an intersection a moment before you did. Who should go first?

The driver who arrived first. Taking turns in order of arrival gives every driver a predictable sequence instead of a contest over who goes first. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.60: “the driver who is at or arrives before you at the intersection”

Which of these counts as a traffic control device you must follow?

A school crossing guard's directions. A person directing traffic can respond to conditions a fixed sign or light cannot, so their directions carry the same force. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.61: “Traffic control devices include traffic signals, signs, pavement markings, and directions provided by law enforcement, highway personnel, and school crossing guards.”

At a steady red light, where must you wait?

Behind the stop line until it turns green. Creeping past the stop line puts your car into the crosswalk or the path of cross traffic. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.62: “You must wait behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection until the traffic light turns green.”

What gives clues to the type of information a traffic sign provides?

Its shape, color, symbols and words. Recognizing a sign's type at a distance gives you time to react before you can read its words. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.63: “The shape, color, symbols, and words on these signs give clues to the type of information they provide.”

What does this sign mean?

Cross road ahead. Traffic may enter from either side at a crossroad, so you need to slow and look both ways before you reach it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.63: “Cross Road Ahead”

What does this sign mean?

School crossing ahead. Children may cross unpredictably, so you need to slow down and watch for them. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.64: “School Crossing”

Where is this sign placed?

Along the road before a railroad crossing. It gives you warning far enough back to slow down before you reach the tracks. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.65: “letters is placed along the road before a highway-railroad grade crossing.”

Can you rely on a posted sign to tell you a railroad crossing has more than one track?

No, not every multi-track crossing has one. A second train can be hidden behind the first, so a driver who sees one pass may pull straight into the path of another. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.65: “Not all highway-railroad grade crossings with more than one train track will have these signs, so it is important to check for more than one track, train, or railroad vehicle at each highway-railroad grade crossing.”

What color are work zone signs generally?

Orange with black letters or symbols. A distinct color tells you at a glance that workers and changing road conditions lie ahead. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.66: “Work Zone Signs—These are generally diamond- or rectangular-shaped and orange with black letters or symbols.”

What does this sign mean?

No left turn. Left turns are banned where crossing oncoming traffic is too dangerous or would block the intersection. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.68: “No Left Turn”

Where must you stop at this sign when a stop line is painted?

Behind the stop line. Stopping past the line puts your car in the crosswalk or the cross traffic lane. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.69: “You must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, if one is present.”

What does a sign like this give you?

Directions to roads, cities and towns. Reading guide signs early lets you choose your lane for an exit before you reach it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.70: “They give information on intersecting roads, help direct you to cities and towns, and show points of interest along the highway.”

What may a shared center left-turn lane be used for?

Left turns by traffic from either direction. Drivers from both directions turn into this lane, so using it to pass sets up a head-on collision. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.69: “This sign tells you where a lane is reserved for the use of left turning vehicles from either direction and is not to be used for through traffic or passing other vehicles.”

Which of these is a job of pavement markings?

Showing where you must stop. Markings carry information when no sign is in sight, so reading them keeps you in the right lane and position. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.71: “They are used to divide lanes, tell you when you may pass other vehicles or change lanes, tell you which lanes to use for turns, define pedestrian walkways, and show where you must stop for signs or traffic signals.”

What is a crosswalk?

The area where pedestrians may cross. Knowing where pedestrians are expected to cross tells you where to look for them and where not to stop. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.74: “Crosswalks define the area where pedestrians may cross the roadway.”

Which lane should you use to make a turn?

The lane closest to the direction of the turn. Starting the turn from the nearest lane keeps your path short and predictable, so you do not cut across other lanes of traffic. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.76: “Enter and maintain in the lane that is closest to the direction you want to turn.”

When is a two-point turnabout used?

When driving around the block is not practical. Driving around the block is the simplest way to reverse, so the turnabout is for when that option is not available. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.77: “In this type of turn, a street, alley, or driveway is used to reverse the direction you are traveling when it is not practical or possible to drive around a block.”

What should you do with your speed at every intersection?

Reduce it while searching for hazards. Intersections are where paths cross, so a lower speed buys time to spot a conflict and stop. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.79: “At all intersections, reduce your speed and search for:”

What does a Diverging Diamond Interchange remove for left-turning drivers?

Crossing the path of oncoming through traffic. Left turns across oncoming traffic cause many interchange crashes, so the design removes that conflict. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.80: “This eliminates the need for left-turning vehicles to cross the paths of approaching through vehicles.”

Which way do you travel in a roundabout?

Counterclockwise around the island. Entering the wrong way puts you head-on into circulating traffic. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.82: “Enter a roundabout or traffic circle in a counterclockwise direction.”

The school bus's lights have stopped flashing and the arm is in. What do you do?

Proceed slowly, watching for children. A child may still be crossing or run back for something dropped after the bus signals end. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.83: “After the school bus's red and/or amber lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer visible, proceed slowly, watching for children.”

When may a car with a disability placard use a disability parking space?

Only when carrying the person named on it. Using the placard without that person takes a space from someone who genuinely needs it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.85: “Vehicles displaying a disability license plate or placard may park in designated spaces for people with disabilities, but only if that vehicle is driven by or transporting the person with the disability whose name is on the license plate registration or placard registration certificate.”

Parking facing downhill, which way do you turn your front wheels?

To the right, toward the curb. If the car rolls, the wheels steer it into the curb or off the road instead of into traffic. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.89: “Downhill with or without a curve, turn wheels toward curb.”

How do you check your blind spot before changing lanes?

Turn your head and look over your shoulder. Mirrors leave areas beside the car unseen, where a car can sit hidden as you move over. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.89: “This is done by turning your head and looking over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move.”

On a multi-lane road, which lane is for passing?

The left-most lane. Keeping passing to one side means drivers know where faster traffic will come from. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.90: “On multi-lane roads, the left-most lane is to be used for passing slower vehicles.”

With a lane closed ahead and traffic backing up, when should you merge?

At the merge point, taking turns. Merging early leads to unexpected lane switching, collisions and road rage when traffic is backed up. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.92: “When you see a “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic is backing up, stay in your current lane of traffic until you reach the point of merge.”

How far ahead should you ideally look while driving?

20 to 30 seconds. Seeing problems early gives time to adjust instead of braking or steering in an emergency. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.94: “Ideally, you should try to look at what is occurring 20 to 30 seconds in front of your vehicle.”

When should you slow down for a curve?

Before you enter the curve. Slowing in the curve itself shifts weight and grip just when the tires are working hardest. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.95: “Curves—Always reduce speed before entering a curve to a safe speed (a speed that allows you to apply slight and constant acceleration through the curve).”

You see a flooded roadway ahead. What should you do?

Turn around and find another route. Water hides dips and washed-out road, and floodwater can stall or carry away a car. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.97: “If you see a flooded roadway ahead, turn around and find another route to get to your destination.”

What does total stopping distance measure?

From realizing you must stop until you stop. It includes the distance covered before your foot even reaches the brake, which drivers tend to forget. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.98: “Total stopping distance is the distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from the time you realize you must stop until your vehicle actually stops.”

What does a bigger space cushion around your car give you?

More time to react. Every hazard needs a moment to see and respond to, and space is what buys that moment. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.98: “The more space you allow between your vehicle and other roadway users, the more time you have to react.”

Where in your lane should you avoid driving on a two-way road?

Close to the center line. Oncoming cars that drift over the line have the least room to miss you if you are close to it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.100: “Avoid crowding the centerline marking.”

When does driving away from the sun call for headlights?

When the sun is rising or setting. Drivers facing a low sun behind you are dazzled and see a dark car late. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.101: “When it begins to get dark or when driving away from a rising or setting sun”

What three options does the manual give for avoiding a collision or reducing its impact?

Braking, steering, or accelerating. Knowing every option in advance means you can pick the right one in the second you have, instead of freezing on the brake. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.104: “You have three options to avoid a collision or to reduce its impact. These options are braking, steering, or accelerating.”

Which of these is a cause of skids?

Driving too fast for conditions. Recognizing what causes a skid lets you avoid it, because once a skid begins you have little control of the car. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.105: “Skids are caused when you are traveling too fast for the road conditions, when you stop suddenly, or when the tires can no longer grip the roadway.”

Your right wheels drop off the edge of the pavement. What should you do?

Slow gradually, then steer gently back on. A sharp turn back over a raised pavement edge can throw the car across the road once the tire climbs it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.106: “If your vehicle leaves the paved road surface due to an uneven surface drop-off, slow down gradually when safe to do so, and steer gently back onto the pavement.”

The brake warning light on your dashboard is on. What should you do?

Do not drive the vehicle. The light means the brakes are not working properly, and the next hard stop could be the one that fails. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.106: “A brake warning light will tell you if your brakes are not working properly. Do not drive if you see this warning light.”

What happens when a front tire blows out?

The vehicle pulls sharply toward the blowout. Expecting the hard pull lets you hold the wheel firmly instead of being steered off the road by it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.107: “If a front tire blows out, the vehicle will pull sharply in the direction of the blowout.”

Your engine shuts off while you are driving. What happens to the steering?

It is harder to turn but still turns. Drivers who think the steering has locked stop trying to steer, when the car can still be guided off the road. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.107: “Be aware that the steering wheel may be difficult to turn, but it is still able to be turned.”

Your vehicle is accelerating out of control. What is the first step?

Turn off the engine. Cutting the engine stops the power that is pushing the car faster, before anything else is tried. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.108: “If your vehicle is accelerating out of control, you should: 1) Turn off the engine.”

How far behind your disabled vehicle should you place emergency flares?

About 200 to 300 feet. That distance gives drivers coming up behind time to see the warning and change lanes before they reach the car. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.108: “If you have emergency flares, place them about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle, giving other drivers some time to change lanes if necessary.”

Must you yield to a pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk?

Yes, marked or unmarked. A pedestrian in an unpainted crosswalk is crossing just as lawfully and is just as unprotected as one in a painted one. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.110: “You must yield when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, even if it is unmarked, including mid-block crosswalks marked by warning signs and pavement markings.”

How does South Carolina treat a bicycle on the roadway?

As a vehicle that follows the same rules. Treating a bicycle as traffic, not an obstacle, is what makes its moves predictable and gives it its place in the lane. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.111: “Bicycles are considered vehicles when on roadways. Bicyclists are required and expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.”

How much of a lane is a motorcyclist entitled to?

A full lane width. The rider needs that space to react to other traffic and to steer around hazards. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.114: “Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width. Do not share the lane.”

Compared with cars, commercial vehicles have what?

Longer stopping distances. A car that pulls in close in front of a truck leaves it a gap it cannot stop in. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.116: “They have longer stopping and accelerating distances and need more room to turn.”

Where does the manual advise avoiding the right lane, if possible?

On steep hills and near weigh stations. Cars in the right lane there meet slow trucks climbing or trucks pulling back into faster traffic. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.119: “Avoid driving in the right lane, if possible, when traveling up or down hills, as well as near truck weigh stations, where large vehicles will be attempting to re-enter faster moving traffic.”

An emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren on. What must you do?

Pull over to the edge of the road. Pulling to the edge opens a clear path so the emergency vehicle can pass quickly. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.121: “As a driver, you must yield right-of-way to an emergency vehicle when the flashing lights and siren are on by pulling over to the edge of the road so the emergency vehicle(s) may more easily pass.”

Emergency lights come on behind you. What should you do?

Signal and pull to the side when safe. Stopping somewhere safe protects you and the officer from passing traffic during the stop. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.121: “When you see emergency lights behind you, stay calm, activate your turn signal, and pull to the side of the roadway as soon and safely as possible.”

A reflective orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels at less than what speed?

25 mph. The emblem warns you that you will close on it fast, and need to slow down well before you reach it. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.125: “the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph.”

How much farther do high beams let you see compared with low beams?

Twice as far. At night you can see only as far as your lights reach, so the longer view gives more time to react. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.126: “High beams let you see twice as far as low beams.”

Should you reduce your speed in a work zone when no workers are present?

Yes, reduce speed anyway. Narrower lanes and rough pavement stay hazardous when the crew has gone home. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.128: “Always reduce your speed in a work zone, even if there are no workers.”

What should you expect when stopping on a gravel or dirt road?

You may skid. Loose surfaces give the tires far less grip, so stops take longer and the car can slide. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.130: “You should reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and realize you may skid when trying to stop your vehicle.”

Which surfaces tend to freeze first in winter?

Bridges and overpasses. A road can be clear while the bridge on it is iced, catching drivers who judged by the road. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.131: “Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roadways because they tend to freeze first.”

What share of a trailer's cargo weight should go in the front, nearest the towing vehicle?

60 percent. A trailer that is light at the front sways, and failing to load heavier in front is a leading cause of trailer mishaps. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.135: “Sixty percent of the cargo weight of a trailer should go in the front (nearest the towing vehicle) and 40 percent in the back.”

Where these come from

Every rule here is checked against South Carolina Driver's Manual, published by the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-10-03.