You approach a flashing yellow traffic signal. How should you respond?
Correct answer: Proceed cautiously after checking the crossing.
Flashing yellow calls for caution. It does not guarantee that the crossing is empty or that another road user will yield.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Flashing yellow; printed page 6-3, physical PDF page 61; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
You are leaving a private driveway to enter a public road. Which traffic must you yield to?
Correct answer: Vehicles approaching on the public road.
Entering from a private road or driveway does not give you priority over traffic approaching on the road you are joining.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2350; Private entrance; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A school bus stops with red lights flashing on an ordinary two-lane road. You approach from the opposite direction. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop before reaching the bus.
On a two-lane road, the stopping rule applies to approaching traffic from either direction. The opposite-direction multilane exception does not apply here.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2770; School bus on two lanes; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A school bus ahead begins displaying flashing amber lights. You are considering overtaking it. What does South Carolina law say?
Correct answer: Do not overtake the bus while its amber lights flash.
The statute specifically prohibits overtaking a school bus displaying amber visual signals. Prepare for the bus's next movement and possible stop.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2770; Amber school-bus signals; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
An authorized road worker is performing work inside a highway work zone marked with warning signs. What must you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the worker and authorized work vehicles.
Drivers must yield to authorized personnel and vehicles doing highway work in a designated work zone. Follow the zone's traffic controls as well.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2370; Highway work zone; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Where should you normally make the major speed reduction for a freeway exit?
Correct answer: In the deceleration lane after leaving the through lane.
Move into the exit lane in good time, then slow for the ramp. Abruptly slowing in the through lane creates a conflict with following traffic.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Freeway exit; printed page 7-15, physical PDF page 89; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
You plan to park and visit a shop. What is the minimum clearance from a fire hydrant?
Correct answer: 15 feet.
Parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant is prohibited. This question concerns parking, not a separate brief passenger-loading exception.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-2530; Hydrant clearance; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
When parking uphill on a road without a curb, which way should the front wheels point?
Correct answer: Toward the roadside, away from traffic.
Without a curb, aim a possible roll toward the roadside rather than into traffic. The wheel position does not replace the parking brake.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Uphill without a curb; printed page 7-13, physical PDF page 87; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
After passing another car, what helps you judge when there is enough clearance to return?
Correct answer: See the whole front of that car in your rearview mirror.
Seeing the passed vehicle's full front in your rearview mirror helps avoid cutting back too closely. Signal and confirm the lane is clear.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Returning after a pass; printed page 7-16, physical PDF page 90; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
At a restricted crossing U-turn intersection, a side-road driver wants to go across the main road. What is the intended route?
Correct answer: Turn right, use the designated U-turn, then continue to the desired road.
This layout redirects the side-road movement through a right turn and designated median U-turn. Follow the signs rather than trying a direct crossing.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Restricted crossing U-turn; printed page 7-6, physical PDF page 80; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
How far ahead does the manual advise you to scan for developing situations?
Correct answer: About 20 to 30 seconds of travel.
A 20- to 30-second scan is a planning guideline, not a substitute for close observation. Keep checking nearer traffic and the sides as well.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Scanning ahead; printed page 8-1, physical PDF page 93; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Which headlights should you use in fog?
Correct answer: Low beams.
Low beams reduce reflected glare in fog. High beams can bounce light back toward the driver and make the view worse.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Fog lighting; printed page 8-8, physical PDF page 100; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
Your right wheels slip off the pavement onto the shoulder. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Jerking the steering wheel to return immediately.
An abrupt return can send the vehicle across the road. Slow gradually, maintain control and return when it is safe.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Wheels off the pavement; printed page 9-3, physical PDF page 105; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A cyclist is traveling beside you toward an intersection. You want to turn right across the cyclist's path. What is the safe plan?
Correct answer: Wait for the cyclist to clear before making the turn.
Do not cut across a cyclist's path. A turn signal communicates your intention but does not make that conflict safe.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Right turn across a bicycle; printed page 10-4, physical PDF page 112; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
An unprotected fire hose lies across the roadway at an emergency scene. When may you drive over it?
Correct answer: Only with permission from the fire official in command.
Do not drive over an unprotected fire-department hose without the required fire-official consent. It may be supplying essential emergency water.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-3850; Fire hose; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
A 17-year-old first-time applicant has a South Carolina beginner's permit. What minimum holding period does SCDMV list?
Correct answer: 180 days.
The current requirement for applicants under 18 is a minimum 180-day holding period. Other licensing conditions still apply.
Source: SCDMV Beginner's Permit page; Under-18 holding period; current requirements reviewed September 21, 2026 (supersede older manual where different). ↗
While driving on a public highway, a driver rests a phone on their lap to use it. Is that hands-free compliance?
Correct answer: No; supporting the device with the body is prohibited.
The mobile-device rule includes support by a body part, not just holding in a hand. A phone on the lap does not meet that rule.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-3890(B)(1); Body-supported phone; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
You pull into a lawful parking space and stop before using your phone. How does the hands-free law apply?
Correct answer: It includes an exception for a driver who is lawfully parked or stopped.
South Carolina expressly excepts a driver who is lawfully parked or stopped. Choose a safe legal place rather than stopping unlawfully to use a device.
Source: South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 56-5-3890(C)(1); Lawfully parked exception; current official text reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
You bring a vehicle with an unsafe brake or lighting defect for your driving test. What should you expect?
Correct answer: The test can be postponed until a safe vehicle is available.
The examiner checks vehicle readiness. A vehicle that does not meet safety requirements cannot be used simply because you have an appointment.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Unsafe road-test vehicle; printed page 1-11, physical PDF page 16; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
When backing your car, how should you use mirrors and a rear camera?
Correct answer: Supplement them with direct checks around and behind the car.
Mirrors and cameras do not show every hazard. Check around the vehicle before backing and keep directly observing your path while moving slowly.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, revised June 2024 (currently posted file, not a 2026 edition); Backing visibility; printed page 5-6, physical PDF page 58; reviewed September 21, 2026. ↗
