South Carolina SCDMV Permit Practice Test 9
Test 9 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 24 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real South Carolina test.
- Questions30
- Correct to pass24
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age15 years
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1. You are turning left into a street that is divided by a raised median. Which side should you enter?
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Answer C: The right-hand roadway, so that you travel on the proper side
A raised median separates two directions of travel, so the turn must be completed into the roadway carrying traffic your way.
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2. Your vehicle is stuck in deep snow and you run the engine for heat while waiting for help. What must you check?
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Answer C: That the exhaust pipe is clear of snow
Snow packed around the tailpipe pushes exhaust back into the cabin, and carbon monoxide can kill without warning. Clear the pipe and crack a window open.
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3. What injury does a correctly set head restraint help prevent?
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Answer A: A neck injury of the kind caused when your vehicle is struck from behind
In a rear impact the body is pushed forward and the head restraint stops the head from whipping backward.
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4. On a South Carolina multi-lane highway, must a driver traveling in the opposite direction from a stopped school bus with flashing red lights come to a stop?
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Answer A: No, a driver need not stop when meeting a stopped school bus while traveling the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway
Section 56-5-2770(B) excuses a driver meeting the bus from the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway from stopping.
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5. Should you drive with your hazard lights flashing while moving in fog?
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Answer A: No, they hide your turn signals and suggest you are stopped
Hazard lights on a moving vehicle tell other drivers you are stopped or disabled, and they cancel out your turn signals just when clarity matters most.
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6. Under South Carolina's hands-free law, when may a driver dictate a message that the device converts and sends as text?
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Answer C: When the device is not held or supported by the driver's body during the conversion
Section 56-5-3890(C)(2) exempts voice-based communication automatically converted to text, so long as the driver does not hold or support the device.
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7. When should you arrange your way home if you plan to drink?
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Answer C: Before the first drink
Judgment is the first thing alcohol weakens, so the plan has to be made while you can still make a good one.
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8. Which sign shape is reserved for one message only, the requirement to stop?
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Answer A: The octagon
The octagon is used for the stop sign and for no other message, so the outline alone identifies the requirement even when the legend is hard to read.
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9. A driver passes this sign on an open road. Over what stretch does the figure it sets stay in force?
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Answer A: From the sign onward, in every lane, until another sign sets a different figure
The figure governs the road from the sign onward and binds every lane, and it stays in force until a later sign sets a different one.
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10. You are about to make a three-point turn on a narrow two-way street. What is the first step?
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Answer B: Pull close to the right edge, signal left and check traffic both ways
A three-point turn starts from a stop at the right edge with a left signal, and you only move once you have checked that both directions are clear.
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11. Under South Carolina law, what must an applicant present to receive a REAL ID compliant driver's license or identification card?
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Answer B: The supporting documents the department requires to prove identity, lawful status, and residency
Section 56-1-87(B) allows the department to issue a REAL ID compliant credential only to applicants who present the required supporting documents.
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12. What does South Carolina law require of a motor vehicle operator or owner involved in certain accidents, regarding insurance?
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Answer B: The operator or owner must handle a verification of insurance coverage form as required following the accident
Section 56-9-350 requires an operator or owner involved in certain accidents to be issued and respond to a verification of insurance coverage form.
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13. A child in the back seat unfastens a seat belt while you are on the freeway. What should you do?
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Answer A: Pull off safely and refasten the belt
Turning or reaching back takes your eyes and hands off a high speed task, so leave the freeway or use the shoulder only if there is no exit, then fix the belt.
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14. A driver extends the left arm out the window and points it downward toward the road surface. What is being signaled?
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Answer A: Slowing down or stopping
The left arm extended downward is the standard hand signal for slowing or stopping.
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15. You are following closely behind a vehicle you intend to pass on a two-lane road. What should you do first?
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Answer D: Drop back to give yourself room to build speed before you pull out
From close behind you cannot see far enough ahead and you have no room to gather speed, so the pass takes longer and starts blind.
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16. Children are playing close to the edge of a residential street. What is the right speed choice?
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Answer D: Well below the limit, slow enough to stop for a sudden dash
Children can step out without warning, so the safe speed is the one that lets you stop within the distance you can see to be clear.
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17. Why is it useful to watch the vehicle two or three places ahead of you?
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Answer C: You get an earlier warning of slowing traffic than brake lights give
Trouble travels back through a line of traffic, so seeing it start several vehicles ahead gives you a head start on braking.
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18. How should a pregnant driver or passenger wear a seat belt?
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Answer A: Lap belt below the belly across the hips, shoulder belt across the chest
A properly worn belt protects both mother and baby. The lap portion goes low under the belly, snug across the hip bones, and the shoulder belt crosses between the breasts.
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19. Why does the situation ahead of this sign deserve extra care from a motorcyclist?
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Answer C: Because a narrow machine is easy to overlook in a mirror or a blind spot
A motorcycle fills very little of a mirror and disappears easily into a blind spot, so the rider should adjust speed and lane position to stay visible where the streams come together.
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20. You and the driver facing you both have stop signs at a two-way stop. You are going straight and that driver is turning left. Who has the right of way?
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Answer B: You do, and the turning driver must wait
Between two opposing drivers who both stopped, the one going straight goes first and the left-turning driver yields.
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21. Under South Carolina's distracted driving statute, which occupational use of a mobile electronic device is exempted?
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Answer D: Transmitting or receiving data through a digital dispatch system while performing occupational duties
Section 56-5-3890(C)(4) exempts digital dispatch system use tied to occupational duties or required network testing.
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22. May a South Carolina driver unlock a mobile electronic device in order to start turn-by-turn navigation while driving?
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Answer B: Yes, unlocking for that exempted purpose is allowed, as long as the device is not held or supported by the driver's body
Section 56-5-3890(C)(6)(c) allows unlocking the device for an exempted purpose such as navigation, provided it is not held or supported by the driver.
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23. You are in the acceleration lane and the gap you were aiming for is now beside you. What is the best adjustment?
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Answer A: Change your speed a little to line up with a gap, then merge smoothly
The acceleration lane is for matching both the speed and the position of a gap, and small speed adjustments are what line the two up.
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24. What penalty does South Carolina impose for violating the move-over law when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle?
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Answer D: A misdemeanor fine of not less than 300 dollars nor more than 500 dollars
Section 56-5-1538(H) makes the violation a misdemeanor punishable by a fine between 300 and 500 dollars.
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25. How many points does South Carolina assess for driving no more than 10 miles per hour above the posted limit?
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Answer A: Two points
The point schedule assigns two points for up to 10 miles per hour over, four points for more than 10 but less than 25 over, and six points for 25 or more over.
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26. How should you follow a school bus in traffic?
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Answer A: Far enough back to see its lights and stop in time
A school bus stops often and with little warning, so a longer following distance gives you time to see the lights come on and stop clear of it.
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27. What happens to points on a South Carolina driving record one year after the violation date?
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Answer D: They are reduced by half
SCDMV reduces points by half one year after the violation date shown on the ticket, so four points become two.
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28. The signal ahead turns yellow while you are approaching it. What does the yellow light mean?
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Answer C: The red is coming; stop if you can do so safely
A steady yellow warns that the red is next. Stop if you can do so safely; enter the intersection only when stopping would be dangerous.
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29. Rain is heavy enough that you have your windshield wipers running. What else should you switch on?
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Answer A: Your headlights, so you can see and others can see you
Rain heavy enough to need wipers also cuts how far away you can be seen, so the headlights belong on. Many states write this into law as a wipers on, lights on rule.
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30. What documentation does South Carolina require to support a request to waive or modify special restricted license hour restrictions?
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Answer A: A statement of purpose from the parent or guardian, plus supporting documents from the employer or school official
Section 56-1-180(D) requires a statement executed by the parent or guardian along with documents from the relevant employer or school official.