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South Carolina permit-test flashcards

Read an existing practice question, consider its choices, then reveal the answer and explanation. This set has 20 sourced cards selected from the existing South Carolina printable sample.

A short sample of car driving questions. Read the handbook to cover the other topics you need.

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Recall the rule, then check the source

Card 1 · Signals and right of way

Your light turns green, but the next block is full. What should you do?

  1. Wait until you can clear the intersection.
  2. Enter and wait across the crosswalk.
  3. Sound your horn and move forward.
  4. Follow the car ahead without checking space.
Show answer for card 1

Correct answer: Wait until you can clear the intersection.

A green light does not make a blocked intersection safe to enter. Leave the crossing clear until there is room beyond it.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Green signal; p. 6-3; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 2 · Signals and right of way

Two vehicles reach an uncontrolled intersection at approximately the same time. One is on your right. Who yields?

  1. The vehicle on your right yields to you.
  2. You yield to the vehicle on your right.
  3. The smaller vehicle goes first.
  4. The driver traveling farther has priority.
Show answer for card 2

Correct answer: You yield to the vehicle on your right.

At an uncontrolled intersection, a driver yields to the vehicle on the right when their arrivals are approximately simultaneous.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2310; Uncontrolled intersection; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 3 · Signals and right of way

Before entering a roundabout, you should:

  1. Expect circulating drivers to stop for you.
  2. Enter beside another vehicle without checking.
  3. Yield to vehicles already circulating.
  4. Drive clockwise to reach a nearby exit.
Show answer for card 3

Correct answer: Yield to vehicles already circulating.

Traffic in the roundabout has priority over entering traffic. Enter a suitable gap and follow the counterclockwise traffic flow.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Roundabout entry; p. 7-7; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 4 · Signals and right of way

A stopped school bus flashes red across an undivided four-lane road with two traffic lanes in each direction. You are traveling in the opposite direction. Under South Carolina's bus rule:

  1. You must stop because there is no raised median.
  2. You may pass only after the bus driver waves.
  3. You must drive onto the shoulder.
  4. You are not required to stop, but must watch for children.
Show answer for card 4

Correct answer: You are not required to stop, but must watch for children.

South Carolina's opposite-direction exception applies to a road with at least two traffic lanes in each direction. A physical median is not required for that exception.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2770; Opposite-direction multilane exception; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 5 · Signals and right of way

You stopped for a school bus's flashing red lights. Under the bus stopping rule, when may you resume, provided the way is safe?

  1. Once the bus moves or its red lights stop.
  2. After waiting ten seconds.
  3. As soon as one child has crossed.
  4. Whenever an approaching car continues past it.
Show answer for card 5

Correct answer: Once the bus moves or its red lights stop.

The required waiting period ends when the bus resumes motion or stops operating its red visual signals. Continue to protect children and other road users.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2770; Resuming after a bus stop; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 6 · Lanes, turns and parking

How far in advance must the required signal be given before turning or moving right or left on the roadway?

  1. Only during the final 10 feet.
  2. Continuously for at least the last 100 feet.
  3. Only after you start the movement.
  4. For 500 feet on every road.
Show answer for card 6

Correct answer: Continuously for at least the last 100 feet.

South Carolina requires the appropriate signal continuously during at least the last 100 feet before the turn or lateral movement.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2150; Turn and lateral-movement signal; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 7 · Lanes, turns and parking

What is a shared center left-turn lane intended for?

  1. Passing a slow vehicle.
  2. Continuous travel when the regular lane is busy.
  3. Preparing for or making a left turn.
  4. Parking while waiting for a passenger.
Show answer for card 7

Correct answer: Preparing for or making a left turn.

A two-way left-turn lane serves turning movements. It is not an extra through lane or a passing lane.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2120; Two-way left-turn lane; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 8 · Lanes, turns and parking

How close may you park to a crosswalk at an intersection?

  1. As close as 3 feet.
  2. Within 5 feet if your hazard lights are on.
  3. On the crosswalk if you stay in the car.
  4. No closer than 20 feet.
Show answer for card 8

Correct answer: No closer than 20 feet.

Parking is prohibited within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Keeping this area clear improves visibility and access.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2530; Crosswalk parking clearance; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 9 · Lanes, turns and parking

Before opening your door on the traffic side of a parked car, you must:

  1. Check that opening it will not interfere with moving traffic.
  2. Assume cyclists will move around the door.
  3. Open it halfway to make others slow down.
  4. Keep it open to reserve space for loading later.
Show answer for card 9

Correct answer: Check that opening it will not interfere with moving traffic.

Open a traffic-side door only when it can be done safely without interfering with other traffic. Keep it open no longer than necessary for loading or unloading.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-3822; Opening a car door; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 10 · Lanes, turns and parking

A car is passing you. What is the appropriate response?

  1. Accelerate until it falls back behind you.
  2. Keep a steady course and do not speed up.
  3. Move toward the centerline to discourage it.
  4. Brake suddenly without a traffic reason.
Show answer for card 10

Correct answer: Keep a steady course and do not speed up.

Do not compete with a passing driver. Maintaining your course without accelerating helps the other vehicle complete the pass safely.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Being passed; p. 7-16; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 11 · Safety and road sharing

Under favorable conditions, what minimum following interval does the South Carolina manual recommend?

  1. One second.
  2. Half a second for every lane.
  3. At least four seconds.
  4. Exactly one car length at any speed.
Show answer for card 11

Correct answer: At least four seconds.

The manual uses a four-second minimum following interval as a study guideline. Add more time when weather, visibility or traffic makes stopping harder.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Following interval; p. 8-6; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 12 · Safety and road sharing

What is the safest time to reduce speed for a sharp curve?

  1. At the sharpest point using hard braking.
  2. Only after you feel the tires sliding.
  3. After leaving the curve.
  4. Before entering the curve.
Show answer for card 12

Correct answer: Before entering the curve.

Slow before the curve so the tires can use their traction for steering through it. Avoid entering too fast and relying on abrupt braking.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Curve speed; p. 8-2; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 13 · Safety and road sharing

Which three parts make up total stopping distance?

  1. Perception, reaction and braking distance.
  2. Fuel range, tire width and engine size.
  3. Acceleration, cruising and lane-changing distance.
  4. Mirror distance, horn distance and parking distance.
Show answer for card 13

Correct answer: Perception, reaction and braking distance.

A vehicle travels while you recognize a hazard and react, then travels farther while the brakes slow it. Braking distance alone is not the whole stop.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Total stopping distance; p. 8-5; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 14 · Safety and road sharing

A tire suddenly blows out while you are moving. What should you do first?

  1. Stamp on the brake immediately.
  2. Hold the steering wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator.
  3. Turn sharply toward the nearest driveway.
  4. Accelerate to stabilize the damaged tire.
Show answer for card 14

Correct answer: Hold the steering wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator.

Keep the vehicle tracking as steadily as possible and slow gradually. Sudden braking or steering can make the loss of control worse.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Tire blowout; p. 9-4; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 15 · Safety and road sharing

A motorcycle is using a lane ahead. May you treat the unused part of that lane as your own passing space?

  1. Yes, if your car fits beside it.
  2. Yes, whenever the rider stays to one side.
  3. No; allow the motorcycle the full lane.
  4. Only while approaching a stop sign.
Show answer for card 15

Correct answer: No; allow the motorcycle the full lane.

Motorcycles need room to adjust position around hazards. Do not crowd a rider by trying to share the same lane with your car.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Motorcycle lane space; p. 10-5; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 16 · Permits and driver responsibilities

What is South Carolina's minimum age for a regular beginner's permit?

  1. 14
  2. 16
  3. 18
  4. 15
Show answer for card 16

Correct answer: 15

SCDMV issues the Class D beginner's permit from age 15. You will also need to pass the knowledge and vision tests, bring the required documents, and, if under 18, have a parent or guardian consent.

Source: SCDMV Beginner's Permit page; Age minimum; current requirements reviewed September 21, 2026 (supersede older manual where different). · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 17 · Permits and driver responsibilities

What minimum beginner's-permit holding period does SCDMV currently list for a first-time applicant age 18 or older?

  1. 30 days.
  2. No holding period.
  3. 180 days regardless of age.
  4. One full year.
Show answer for card 17

Correct answer: 30 days.

The current permit page lists 30 days for applicants 18 or older. This differs from the all-ages 180-day statement in the older June 2024 manual.

Source: SCDMV Beginner's Permit page; Adult holding period; current requirements reviewed September 21, 2026 (supersede older manual where different). · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 18 · Permits and driver responsibilities

Your phone is mounted on the dashboard. May you type a text while driving on a public highway?

  1. Yes; a mount removes every phone restriction.
  2. No; mounting the phone does not permit typing texts.
  3. Yes, if you use only one finger.
  4. Only if the message is under ten words.
Show answer for card 18

Correct answer: No; mounting the phone does not permit typing texts.

The text-use prohibition is separate from the restriction on holding or supporting a phone. A mount does not authorize typing a message while driving.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-3890(B)(2); Mounted texting; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 19 · Permits and driver responsibilities

Which call fits the law's public-safety reporting exception?

  1. Calling a friend to discuss a delayed appointment.
  2. Ordering food while traffic is light.
  3. Reporting a road hazard to a public safety officer.
  4. Checking a social-media alert marked urgent.
Show answer for card 19

Correct answer: Reporting a road hazard to a public safety officer.

The exception covers reporting an accident, emergency or safety hazard to a public safety officer. An ordinary personal call does not become an emergency report just because it feels urgent.

Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-3890(C)(3); Emergency reporting; current text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗ · Original question review: 2026-09-21

Card 20 · Permits and driver responsibilities

At the beginning of the road test, what should you do about your seat belt?

  1. Use it only after the examiner asks.
  2. Leave it unfastened during parking maneuvers.
  3. Wear it only on the freeway portion.
  4. Fasten it before driving.
Show answer for card 20

Correct answer: Fasten it before driving.

The manual makes failure to use the seat belt an automatic road-test failure. Make fastening it part of your pre-drive routine.

Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Road-test seat belt; p. 1-12; reviewed September 21, 2026. · Original question review: 2026-09-21

These are selected learning examples, not state examination questions or complete handbook coverage. Read the original source when a condition or exception is unclear.