Practice test 1 of 10 — South Carolina permit test

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Question 1 of 30Emergencies and equipment

When should you use your hazard warning lights?

1. AA. When parking in a no-parking zone
2. BB. When your stopped car could be a hazard
3. CC. When driving in light rain or mist
4. DD. When you are late and driving fast

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Question 2 of 30Alcohol, drugs and penalties (South Carolina)

In South Carolina, what happens to the points from a traffic ticket one year after the violation date?

1. AA. They are all removed
2. BB. They are cut in half
3. CC. They double
4. DD. Nothing; they stay the same

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Question 3 of 30Road signs

At night you pass this sign just after you turn onto a ramp. What is the best thing to do?

1. AA. Pull over, then turn around safely
2. BB. Keep driving to the next exit and get off there
3. CC. Speed up so you leave the ramp sooner
4. DD. Flash your headlights and keep going

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Question 4 of 30Right of way

You are joining a highway from an on-ramp. Who has the right-of-way?

1. AA. You do, since you are merging
2. BB. Traffic already on the highway
3. CC. Whoever is going faster
4. DD. The car in the right lane

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Question 5 of 30Signals and pavement markings

An officer at an intersection waves you on through a red light. What should you do?

1. AA. Wait for the light to turn green first
2. BB. Turn right instead of going straight
3. CC. Stop and ask the officer why you should go
4. DD. Follow the officer and go through with care

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Question 6 of 30Emergencies and equipment

When should you adjust your seat and mirrors?

1. AA. While driving on the highway
2. BB. Before you start to drive
3. CC. Only when you buy the car
4. DD. While waiting at a red light

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Question 7 of 30Road signs

What does this sign warn you about?

1. AA. You must turn right at the next street
2. BB. The road curves to the right ahead
3. CC. The right lane ends ahead
4. DD. A road joins from the right ahead

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Question 8 of 30Safe driving and hazards

What does it mean to drive defensively?

1. AA. Drive fast so you stay ahead of others
2. BB. Honk often to warn others you are near
3. CC. Always take the right-of-way when you have it
4. DD. Expect others to make mistakes and be ready

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Question 9 of 30Alcohol, drugs and penalties (South Carolina)

To get a South Carolina Temporary Alcohol License (TAL), within how many days must you have asked for an administrative hearing?

1. AA. 5 days
2. BB. 14 days
3. CC. 30 days
4. DD. 90 days

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Question 10 of 30Alcohol, drugs and penalties

In most states, what must you be able to show if police ask after a crash or stop?

1. AA. Your birth certificate
2. BB. Proof of insurance
3. CC. Your car's repair records
4. DD. A receipt for your last fuel stop

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Question 11 of 30Emergencies and equipment (South Carolina)

Your car breaks down on a South Carolina highway. How far behind it does the manual say to place flares?

1. AA. About 10 to 20 feet
2. BB. About 50 to 75 feet
3. CC. About 1,000 to 1,500 feet
4. DD. About 200 to 300 feet

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Question 12 of 30Turning, passing and lanes

Before turning right, what should you watch for on your right?

1. AA. Cars in the far left lane
2. BB. Planes landing
3. CC. Cyclists and people walking
4. DD. Traffic behind the car ahead

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Question 13 of 30Signals and pavement markings

Generally, when may you turn right on a steady red light?

1. AA. After a full stop, unless a sign forbids it
2. BB. Any time, as long as you slow down first
3. CC. Only when a green arrow is lit beside it
4. DD. Never, since a red light bans all turns

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Question 14 of 30Road signs

What does this white X-shaped sign mark?

1. AA. A four-way crossroad
2. BB. A railroad crossing
3. CC. A hospital zone
4. DD. A closed road ahead

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Question 15 of 30Speed and following distance

Why does it usually take longer to stop when you are going downhill?

1. AA. Gravity keeps pulling the car forward
2. BB. Brakes are weaker when the car tilts
3. CC. Tires lose air pressure on a slope
4. DD. The engine adds power on the way down

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Question 16 of 30Road signs

What should you do when you see this sign?

1. AA. Stop right next to this sign
2. BB. Slow down and get ready to stop
3. CC. Speed up before the light changes
4. DD. Move over to the left lane

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Question 17 of 30Road signs (South Carolina)

In South Carolina, an orange and red triangle on the back of farm equipment means it is going slower than what speed?

1. AA. 20 mph
2. BB. 25 mph
3. CC. 30 mph
4. DD. 40 mph

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Question 18 of 30Road signs

This sign shows a truck on a downward slope. What does it warn you about?

1. AA. A truck stop is ahead
2. BB. Trucks are entering the road
3. CC. A steep downhill grade ahead
4. DD. A ramp for trucks only

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Question 19 of 30Licensing and insurance (South Carolina)

A South Carolina beginner’s permit holder is 18 or older. How long must the permit be held before applying for a license?

1. AA. At least 14 days
2. BB. At least 75 days
3. CC. At least 90 days
4. DD. At least 30 days

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Question 20 of 30Safe driving and hazards

What is the main danger of driving when angry or upset?

1. AA. You may drive too slowly
2. BB. Your car may overheat
3. CC. You may use more fuel
4. DD. You may take more risks

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Question 21 of 30Safe driving and hazards

When is a road often most slippery during rain?

1. AA. After it has rained for hours
2. BB. At night, when the air is cold
3. CC. Right after the rain stops
4. DD. In the first few minutes of rain

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Question 22 of 30Emergencies and equipment

Your car stalls on the railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

1. AA. Get out and walk away at an angle toward the train
2. BB. Stay in the car and try to restart it
3. CC. Get out and stand close by to wave it down
4. DD. Run straight down the tracks away from it

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Question 23 of 30Sharing the road

A large truck ahead is signaling a right turn and has swung left. What should you do?

1. AA. Pass it quickly on the right side
2. BB. Honk and squeeze by on the left
3. CC. Stay back and do not pass on the right
4. DD. Pull up close behind it and wait

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Question 24 of 30Licensing and insurance (South Carolina)

In South Carolina, how often may points be cut by taking a defensive driving course?

1. AA. Each time you get a new ticket
2. BB. As often as you like to take it
3. CC. Never; points cannot be cut that way
4. DD. Only once in a three-year period

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Question 25 of 30Speed and following distance

Why is it unsafe to drive faster than your lights can show at night?

1. AA. You may not see a hazard in time to stop
2. BB. Your headlights may burn out sooner
3. CC. Other drivers will flash their lights at you
4. DD. You will use more fuel than usual

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Question 26 of 30Emergencies and equipment

Your hood flies up while you are driving. What should you do?

1. AA. Brake hard right there in the lane
2. BB. Look through the gap and pull over
3. CC. Stop and get out to close it in the lane
4. DD. Keep driving until you get home

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Question 27 of 30Safe driving and hazards

When should you turn on your headlights?

1. AA. Only after the sun has fully set
2. BB. Any time it is hard to see
3. CC. Only in cities with streetlights
4. DD. Only on highways

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Question 28 of 30Signals and pavement markings (South Carolina)

In some South Carolina cities the traffic lights are hung sideways. Where is the red light?

1. AA. On the right
2. BB. In the middle
3. CC. It changes from city to city
4. DD. On the left

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Question 29 of 30Turning, passing and lanes (South Carolina)

According to the South Carolina manual, what should you do instead of a three-point turnabout on a busy street?

1. AA. Make a quick U-turn
2. BB. Drive around the whole block
3. CC. Back into a side street
4. DD. Turn on the shoulder

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Question 30 of 30Turning, passing and lanes

What is the acceleration lane on a highway on-ramp for?

1. AA. To speed up to match highway traffic
2. BB. To stop and wait for a gap in traffic
3. CC. To pass slow cars on the highway
4. DD. To park if you have an emergency

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Practice test 1 of 10 for the Knowledge test (beginner's permit) (SCDMV): 30 questions, 24 to pass — the commonly reported format; SCDMV does not publish the count or a pass mark. Our practice tests are untimed.

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• South Carolina knowledge test: official facts and all practice tests
• South Carolina road-sign quiz
• South Carolina knowledge test FAQ
• South Carolina Driver's Manual (official)