Pavement markings, crosswalks and stop lines

Key points

1. Pavement markings are lines, arrows, words or symbols that give directions or warnings.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-12

   “Pavement markings are lines, arrows, words, or symbols painted on the roadway to give directions or warnings.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-12

2. They divide lanes, tell you when you may pass or change lanes, and tell you which lanes to use for turns.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-12

   “They are used to divide lanes, tell you when you may pass other vehicles or change lanes, tell you which lanes to use for turns”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-12

3. Crosswalks define where pedestrians may cross the roadway.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-15

   “Crosswalks define the area where pedestrians may cross the roadway.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-15

4. Stop behind the stop line or crosswalk. With neither, stop nearest the intersection where you can see both ways without entering cross traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-15

   “you must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, but if there are neither, then you must stop at the point nearest the intersection where you can see in both directions without entering the cross traffic in front of you”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-15

5. You must yield to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk. Not all crosswalks are marked.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-15

   “You must yield to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk. Not all crosswalks are marked.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-15

6. If there is a stop line before the crosswalk, obey the stop line first.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-15

   “If there is a stop line before the crosswalk, the stop line must be obeyed first.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-15

7. The Shared Center Lane Left Turn Only sign marks a lane reserved for left turns from either direction, not for through traffic or passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-10

   “Shared Center Lane Left Turn Only This sign tells you where a lane is reserved for the use of left turning vehicles from either direction and is not to be used for through traffic or passing other vehicles”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-10

3 questions from the South Carolina practice test

1. 1. What is one purpose of pavement markings on a South Carolina roadway?

   1. They guarantee that the pavement is dry and free of hazards
   2. They replace every traffic signal at an intersection
   3. They can tell drivers when passing or lane changes are permitted
   4. They identify the registered owner of the vehicle ahead
   Show answer

   They can tell drivers when passing or lane changes are permitted. Road markings do more than decorate the pavement. They divide lanes, communicate when passing or changing lanes is allowed, identify turn lanes, define pedestrian areas, and show where a driver must stop for a sign or signal. They do not replace traffic lights, certify road conditions, or identify another vehicle's owner. When markings are present, read them as part of the traffic-control system. Before crossing a line or using a lane, confirm that the marking permits the movement and that surrounding traffic is clear.

2. 2. What area do crosswalks define for pedestrians?

   1. The shoulder used for disabled vehicles
   2. A lane reserved for passing trucks
   3. A place where parking is always required
   4. The area where pedestrians may cross the roadway
   Show answer

   The area where pedestrians may cross the roadway. Crosswalks define the area where pedestrians may cross the roadway. A crosswalk is not a passing lane, a mandatory parking space, or a shoulder for disabled vehicles. Drivers should remain alert because not all crosswalks are marked, and they must yield to pedestrians entering or already in a crosswalk. The practical cue is the pedestrian crossing area itself: approach slowly, look for people, and stop behind the line or crosswalk when a sign or signal requires it.

3. 3. What is a shared center left-turn lane reserved for?

   1. Long-term parking
   2. Straight-through travel and passing
   3. Left-turning vehicles from either direction
   4. Vehicles traveling only in the opposite direction
   Show answer

   Left-turning vehicles from either direction. A shared center left-turn lane is reserved for vehicles turning left from either direction. It is not a through lane and cannot be used to pass other vehicles. Long-term parking also defeats the lane's turning purpose, while restricting it to the opposite direction ignores that both directions may use it for a left turn. The practical cue is the center lane's arrows or sign: enter only to prepare for the left turn, then complete that movement safely.

Source: the South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6: Rules of the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.