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South Carolina SCDMV permit practice test 5

25 questions written from the South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual), covering safe and defensive driving, right of way, signals and pavement markings, road signs, hazards, weather and night driving and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.

25 questions
  1. Question 1You start feeling tired while driving. What does the manual recommend?

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    C: Pull off at the next exit or rest area for a 15 to 20 minute nap or find a place to sleep. If you feel tired, stop driving and pull off at the next exit or rest area for a 15 to 20 minute nap, or find a place to sleep for the night. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Fatigue: Ways to Avoid Fatigue, page 34.

  2. Question 2Must you yield to a pedestrian in an unmarked crosswalk?

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    D: Yes, you must yield even if the crosswalk is unmarked. You must yield when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, even if it is unmarked. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Pedestrians, page 110.

  3. Question 3Which of these counts as a traffic control device?

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    B: Directions given by a school crossing guard. Traffic control devices include signals, signs, pavement markings, and directions given by law enforcement, highway personnel and school crossing guards. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Traffic Control Devices, page 61.

  4. Question 4A round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR means:

    yellow and black circle road sign
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    A: A railroad crossing is ahead; slow down, look and listen. The round yellow advance warning sign with an X and RR is placed before a railroad crossing to tell you to slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Traffic Signs: Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, page 65.

  5. Question 5When should you use your high beams at night?

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    A: Whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. Use high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles; they let you see twice as far as low beams. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Night Driving, page 126.

  6. Question 6The light at your intersection just turned green. What should you do?

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    D: Avoid moving immediately; make sure the path is clear and no cross traffic is coming. When the light turns green, avoid immediately moving into the intersection; take time to be sure your path is clear and there is no crossing traffic. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Intersections, page 80.

  7. Question 7What rights does a bicyclist have on the roadway?

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    A: The same rights, privileges and responsibilities as motorists. Bicycles are considered vehicles on roadways, and bicyclists have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as motorists. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Bicyclists, page 111.

  8. Question 8You park headed uphill on a road with no curb. Which way should you turn your wheels?

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    B: To the right, so the car rolls off the road if the brakes fail. Uphill without a curb, turn the wheels to the right so the vehicle will roll off the road if the brakes fail. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Parking: Parking on Hills, page 88.

  9. Question 9When should you NOT use the zipper merge?

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    D: When traffic is moving at highway speeds with no backups. When traffic moves at highway speeds without backups, move to the open lane sooner; merge when it is safe. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Zipper Merge (Late Merge): When not to use the zipper merge, page 93.

  10. Question 10In which situation should you increase your following distance beyond the minimum?

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    D: When following a school bus or vehicle carrying hazardous materials that must stop at railroad crossings. Increase following distance on slippery roads, at night or in bad weather, behind large vehicles, and behind vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Space Management: Providing an Adequate Following Distance, page 100.

  11. Question 11Which of these is part of total stopping distance?

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    B: Perception, reaction and braking distance. Total stopping distance depends on speed and includes perception time and distance, reaction time and distance, and braking distance. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Stopping Distance, page 98.

  12. Question 12Right after a tire blowout, what should you avoid doing?

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    C: Braking. Do not brake; let the vehicle slow by itself or brake gently only if necessary, then pull off and turn on flashers. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Vehicle Malfunctions: Tire Blowout, page 107.

  13. Question 13Which form certifies school attendance, driver's education and driving practice for a 15- or 16-year-old license applicant in South Carolina?

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    C: Form PDLA. Teen applicants must complete the Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education and Driving Practice, SCDMV form PDLA, which they receive from their driver's education program. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Licensing Requirements: First-Time Driver's License, page 11.

  14. Question 14When does impairment from alcohol begin?

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    A: With the first drink. Impairment starts with the first drink; even one drink can affect your ability to drive. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving: Effects of Alcohol and Other Impairing Drugs, page 38.

  15. Question 15What is the best way to avoid fatigue when driving?

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    C: Get plenty of rest. The manual says the best way to avoid fatigue is to get plenty of rest. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Fatigue: Ways to Avoid Fatigue, page 34.

  16. Question 16A pedestrian is jaywalking across the middle of the street. What should you do?

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    A: Stop for them. Be prepared to yield to pedestrians even when they are not in a crosswalk; the manual's sample test says you must stop for a jaywalking pedestrian. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Pedestrians, page 110.

  17. Question 17A dashed yellow line is on your side of the center of a two-way road. What does it mean?

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    C: Passing is permitted on your side when safe. On a two-direction road, passing is permitted when the dashed line is on your side. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Pavement Markings: Yellow Lane Markings, page 72.

  18. Question 18What does the white X-shaped 'Railroad Crossing' sign (crossbuck) require when a train is approaching?

    white and black crossbuck road sign
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    C: Stop behind the stop line or before the crossing until it is clear. The crossbuck is at the crossing itself; when a train is approaching you must stop behind the stop line or before the crossing until it is clear. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Traffic Signs: Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, page 65.

  19. Question 19How much farther do high beams let you see than low beams?

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    B: About twice as far. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Night Driving, page 126.

  20. Question 20An approaching car has its right turn signal on. You want to pull out in front of it. What should you do?

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    A: Wait; the driver may turn after passing you or may have forgotten the signal. Do not turn into a lane just because an approaching vehicle has its signal on; the driver may turn later or may have left the signal on. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Intersections, page 80.

  21. Question 21How should you pass a bicyclist?

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    A: Slow down and allow as much space as possible. Allow as much space as possible and slow down when approaching or passing a bicyclist, considering the bicyclist's speed. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Bicyclists, page 112.

  22. Question 22Besides turning your wheels, what else should you do when parking on a hill?

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    A: Set the parking brake, put the car in park (or proper gear) and turn off the engine. In each case set the parking brake, place the vehicle in park or the proper gear (first or reverse for a manual) and turn off the engine. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Parking: Parking on Hills, page 88.

  23. Question 23A vehicle is trying to enter the highway from a ramp beside you. What can you do to help?

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    C: Move over a lane or adjust your speed to make space. Make space for vehicles entering a multiple-lane or limited access roadway by moving over a lane or adjusting your speed. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Space Management: Space to the Side, page 100.

  24. Question 24How much should you add to your following distance for night driving?

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    A: At least one additional second. Add at least one additional second for night driving, and at least two additional seconds on unfamiliar roads at night. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Night Driving, page 127.

  25. Question 25What is the maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations?

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    C: 55 mph. The maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations is 55 mph, and you must never exceed the posted limit. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Safe Trailering: Safe Driving With a Trailer, page 136.

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How to use these tests

Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses 25 questions at the SCDMV's pass mark, since it doesn't publish the number of questions.

Our own questions, written from the South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual) and checked against it. Not affiliated with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. Found a mistake? Tell us.