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South Carolina SCDMV permit practice test 8

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

25 questions
  1. Question 1Why should you never drink alcohol while taking other drugs, including prescription medicine?

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    D: The drugs could multiply the effects of alcohol. Combining alcohol with other drugs, even prescription or over-the-counter ones, can multiply the effects of alcohol or add effects of their own. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Combining Alcohol and Other Impairing Drugs, page 40.

  2. Question 2Why should you avoid dark or tinted corrective lenses at night?

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    A: They reduce the light you need to see clearly. Dark or tinted lenses reduce the light you need to see clearly, even if they seem to help with glare. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Vision, page 32.

  3. Question 3Before backing up in a parking lot, what should you check for?

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    B: Pedestrians in your path. Check for pedestrians in your path before backing up, especially in parking lots and busy areas. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Pedestrians, page 111.

  4. Question 4Are all crosswalks marked with painted lines?

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    A: No, not all crosswalks are marked. Not all crosswalks are marked, so be alert for pedestrians whenever you cross an intersection. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Pavement Markings: Crosswalks and Stop Lines, page 74.

  5. Question 5A sign marks a shared center lane for left turns only. How may that lane be used?

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    B: Only for left turns by vehicles from either direction. The shared center lane is reserved for left-turning vehicles from either direction and is not for through traffic or passing. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Traffic Signs: Shared Center Lane Left Turn Only, page 69.

  6. Question 6Which road surfaces tend to freeze first in winter?

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    A: Bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads. Bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roadways tend to freeze first, and ice can form in shady areas even above freezing. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Winter Driving Techniques, page 131.

  7. Question 7Why are roundabouts safer than traditional intersections?

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    B: They eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions. Roundabouts eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Roundabouts and Traffic Circles, page 83.

  8. Question 8Which road conditions affect bicycles much more than cars?

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    B: Wet roads or roads covered with sand or gravel. Be particularly careful around bicyclists when the roadway is wet or covered with sand or gravel. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Bicyclists, page 113.

  9. Question 9Why should you enter emergency contact information on your SCDMV record?

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    D: Officers can access it after a collision or medical emergency and share it with medical personnel. If you are in a collision or have a medical emergency, SC law enforcement can access your emergency contacts and may share them with medical personnel. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Emergency Contact Information, page 109.

  10. Question 10What happens if a South Carolina driver under 17 gets six or more points before holding the license for one year?

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    C: The license is suspended for six months. Drivers under 17 who receive six or more points before holding their license one year have the license suspended for six months. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Graduated Driver's License Program, page 12.

  11. Question 11You were arrested for impaired driving in South Carolina but your license is from Georgia. Whose implied consent law applies?

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    D: South Carolina's, because that is where you were arrested. Implied consent laws apply in the state where you were arrested, not the state that issued your license. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving: Alcohol and the Law, page 39.

  12. Question 12What is distracted driving, according to the manual?

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    A: Anything that takes your attention away from driving. A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving, including mental activities as well as taking your eyes or hands away. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Driver Distractions, page 35.

  13. Question 13Why do many intersections have stop lines set back from the corner?

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    B: To give larger vehicles more turning space. Stop lines set you farther back at an intersection to give larger vehicles more room to turn, so always stop behind them. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Interacting with Commercial Vehicles: Turning, page 120.

  14. Question 14What colors are guide signs that show directions, cities and points of interest?

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    B: Green, brown or blue. Guide signs are square or rectangular and green, brown or blue; they show routes, destinations and services. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Traffic Signs: Guide Signs, page 70.

  15. Question 15Your car is stuck in snow. What should you avoid?

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    C: Spinning your wheels. Do not spin your wheels; it digs the vehicle in deeper. Turn the wheels side to side, use a light touch on the gas, shovel, or add sand or litter for traction. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Winter Driving Techniques, page 132.

  16. Question 16When making a turn, where should you look as you turn?

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    B: Through the turn to the farthest point possible along your path. Look through the turn to the farthest point possible along the intended path. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Turning and Turnabouts, page 76.

  17. Question 17How much of the lane is a motorcyclist entitled to?

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    C: A full lane width; do not share the lane. Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width; do not share the lane, because the rider needs space to react. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Motorcyclists, page 114.

  18. Question 18You see emergency lights behind you signaling you to stop. What should you do?

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    A: Signal and pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe. Stay calm, activate your turn signal and pull to the side of the road as soon and as safely as possible. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): What to Do and Expect When Stopped by Law Enforcement, page 121.

  19. Question 19What does a South Carolina special restricted license with a waiver allow a 16-year-old to do?

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    A: Drive alone until midnight for work or certain extracurricular activities. The waiver lets a 16-year-old drive alone until midnight if they work or take part in certain extracurricular activities; it never allows driving after midnight. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Special Restricted License with a Waiver for a 16-year-old, page 13.

  20. Question 20For a first-offense DUI or DUAC that took place on or after May 19, 2024, is a South Carolina provisional driver's license available?

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    D: No, it is not available. The manual states the provisional license is not available for any DUI or DUAC that takes place on or after May 19, 2024. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Provisional Driver's License, page 25.

  21. Question 21How should you check your tire tread depth using a penny?

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    A: Insert Lincoln's head first; if you can see all of his head, the tires are too worn. Place the penny with Lincoln's head first into the deepest groove; if you can see all of his head, the tires are too worn and should be replaced. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Inspecting Your Vehicle: Check Tread Depth with a Penny, page 45.

  22. Question 22On a South Carolina secondary system road marker, what does the first number after the letter 'S' tell you?

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    B: The number of the county the road is in. On the secondary road marker, the first number after 'S' is the county number and the last number is the road number. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Traffic Signs: Secondary System Road Marker, page 70.

  23. Question 23Which feature should you avoid using in winter driving conditions?

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    D: Cruise control. Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Winter Driving Techniques, page 132.

  24. Question 24Before turning left in front of an oncoming large truck, what should you remember?

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    B: If unsure of its speed, do not turn; it may be going faster than you think and takes longer to stop. Many truck crashes happen at intersections because drivers misjudge truck speed; when in doubt, do not turn left in its path. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Interacting with Commercial Vehicles: Turning, page 120.

  25. Question 25What following distance should you allow behind a motorcycle?

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    C: A minimum of 4 seconds, more in wet conditions. Allow at least a 4-second following distance behind a motorcycle, or more in wet conditions. South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Driver's Manual): Motorcyclists, page 116.

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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.