SC Permit Practice Test 16

All 20 questions in test 16

Every question below comes from the South Carolina question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. You are behind a stopped school bus with flashing red lights on a four-lane road. What must you do?

   1. Pass in the left lane, since this is a multi-lane road
   2. Slow to 15 mph and pass carefully on the left side
   3. Stop and wait until the bus moves or its red lights stop
   4. Stop briefly, then pass once no children are visible
   Show answer

   Stop and wait until the bus moves or its red lights stop. On a four-lane or multi-lane highway, drivers meeting a stopped bus from the opposite direction do not have to stop, but that exception never covers traffic behind the bus. The manual says you must always stop on any highway when you are behind the bus, and you must not proceed until the bus moves or the red lights are no longer flashing. An open left lane does not change this, and a quick look for children is no substitute for waiting.

   Study this in the handbook: School buses

2. 2. What is this yellow warning sign telling you, and what should you do first?

   
   1. A U-turn area is ahead; move to the left lane
   2. A roundabout is ahead; slow down to enter it
   3. Traffic merges from three directions; speed up
   4. A detour loops around a closed road; follow it
   Show answer

   A roundabout is ahead; slow down to enter it. Three arrows chasing each other around a circle warn of a roundabout or traffic circle. The manual's first step is to slow down to enter, then yield to traffic already in the circle, travel counterclockwise, and signal as you leave at your exit. Speeding up to merge is the opposite of what the sign asks. A U-turn is not what the circling arrows show, and detours are marked with orange work zone signs rather than a yellow warning diamond.

   Study this in the handbook: Turns, intersections and roundabouts

3. 3. This orange and red triangle is mounted on the back of a farm tractor ahead of you. What does it tell you?

   
   1. The vehicle is wider than one lane
   2. The vehicle carries hazardous materials
   3. The vehicle travels less than 25 mph
   4. The vehicle may not be passed at any time
   Show answer

   The vehicle travels less than 25 mph. A fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle on the rear of farm equipment, construction equipment, or an animal-drawn vehicle means it is traveling less than 25 mph. You can close on it quickly, so slow down early and pass only when you are sure it is safe. The emblem says nothing about hazardous cargo or a ban on passing. The manual adds that farm machinery operators most likely cannot hear approaching vehicles because of the noise level of the machinery.

   Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, traffic stops and the Move Over Law

4. 4. In a South Carolina roundabout, when do you use your turn signal?

   1. Only when entering, to show you are joining the circle
   2. Continuously while you are circling the center island
   3. As you approach your exit, to show you are leaving
   4. Never, because roundabout traffic moves in one direction
   Show answer

   As you approach your exit, to show you are leaving. The manual's roundabout steps are: slow down, yield to traffic already in the circle, enter counterclockwise, then proceed to the appropriate exit, signal your intent, and exit. The signal comes at the end, so others know you are leaving the circle. One-way travel does not make signaling pointless, and a signal left on the whole way around would not show where you plan to leave. Entering is handled by slowing and yielding rather than by a signal step in the manual's list.

   Study this in the handbook: Turns, intersections and roundabouts

5. 5. You enter a curve too fast and slam on the brakes after you are already in it. What could happen?

   1. The tires could lose traction in the curve
   2. The car would stop faster than on a straight road
   3. The steering would lock until you let go of the brake
   4. The brakes would overheat and fail
   Show answer

   The tires could lose traction in the curve. The manual warns that hard braking after you enter a curve could cause the vehicle's tires to lose traction. This is why you should slow down before the curve instead of braking hard inside it. The risk the manual names is lost traction, not a quicker stop, locked steering, or failed brakes. Slowing before the curve, rather than inside it, keeps the tires gripping the road.

   Study this in the handbook: Visual search and speed management

6. 6. You parked on a city street and are about to open your door. What does the South Carolina manual tell you to check first?

   1. Only the sidewalk side for pedestrians
   2. The front of your car for oncoming traffic only
   3. Nothing, if your hazard lights are flashing
   4. The sides and rear of your car for bicyclists
   Show answer

   The sides and rear of your car for bicyclists. Before opening your door when parked on the street, the manual says to check to the sides and rear of your vehicle for bicyclists. Riders traveling in the direction of traffic come up from behind, so a quick look forward or toward the sidewalk is not enough. Flashing hazard lights do not take the place of that check. Use your mirror and look over your shoulder before the door opens.

   Study this in the handbook: Motorcycles and commercial vehicles

7. 7. Why should you pass farm machinery with extra caution, according to the South Carolina manual?

   1. Farm equipment must yield the whole road to cars
   2. The operator most likely cannot hear vehicles approaching
   3. The operator is required to pull off for you
   4. Farm tractors cannot travel slower than 25 mph
   Show answer

   The operator most likely cannot hear vehicles approaching. Tractors, combines, and other farm equipment cross roads and travel on state highways in rural areas. The manual reminds you that the operator most likely cannot hear approaching vehicles because of the noise level of the machinery, so do not expect the operator to know you are there. Pass with caution and only when it is safe. Watch for the slow-moving vehicle emblem, an orange and red triangle that means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph.

   Study this in the handbook: Emergency vehicles, traffic stops and the Move Over Law

8. 8. On a cold morning the road looks clear, and you are approaching a highway overpass. What should you keep in mind?

   1. Overpasses stay warmer, so they are the safest part
   2. Overpasses may freeze before the rest of the road
   3. Ice forms only on dirt roads, not overpasses
   4. You can speed up, since the road looks dry
   Show answer

   Overpasses may freeze before the rest of the road. Bridges, overpasses, and infrequently traveled roads tend to freeze first, so the manual calls for special care on them. Ice patches may occur on bridges even when there is no ice on the roads, and even above freezing, wet conditions can leave ice on exposed roadways like bridges. Slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering on the overpass, since the road ahead may not match the road behind you.

   Study this in the handbook: Rural roads, winter driving and trailers

9. 9. You approach an intersection where the traffic light is flashing red. How should you treat it?

   1. Like a yield sign: slow down and go if clear
   2. Like a green light, since the signal is broken
   3. Like a steady red: wait until the light turns green
   4. Like a stop sign: stop fully, look, then go when safe
   Show answer

   Like a stop sign: stop fully, look, then go when safe. A flashing red light means you must stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection before entering, using the same procedure as at a stop sign. After coming to a complete stop, look both ways and yield the right-of-way if applicable, then proceed when it is safe. Slowing without stopping is the flashing yellow rule, and waiting for green fits a steady red. A flashing signal is not a broken light you can ignore.

   Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights

10. 10. You are on a dark rural highway at night with no vehicles ahead of you and none coming toward you. Which headlights should you use?

    1. Low beams, to save the bulbs
    2. High beams, to see farther ahead
    3. Parking lights, since no one is around
    4. Fog lights, to light the road edges
    Show answer

    High beams, to see farther ahead. The manual says to use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles, because they let you see twice as far as low beams. On a dark road with no one ahead or approaching, that extra distance gives you more time to spot hazards. Switch to low beams when you are 500 feet or more from an oncoming vehicle, when following a vehicle less than 200 feet ahead, or in fog, rain, or snow.

    Study this in the handbook: Night driving and work zones

11. 11. Why does the South Carolina manual call for extra following distance behind a motorcycle?

    1. Riders may swerve or slow to avoid road hazards
    2. Motorcycles are unable to use their brakes in the rain
    3. Motorcycles are required by law to ride slower than cars
    4. Riders are required to stop at every railroad crossing
    Show answer

    Riders may swerve or slow to avoid road hazards. The manual says to allow a minimum 4 second following distance behind a motorcyclist, or more in wet conditions, because riders may suddenly need to change speed or adjust lane position to avoid hazards. It lists potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement, which can be deadly to a motorcyclist. Without that space, you may not have enough time to avoid a collision.

    Study this in the handbook: Motorcycles and commercial vehicles

12. 12. According to the South Carolina manual, what two effects can fatigue have on a driver?

    1. It can affect vision and increase the time to make decisions
    2. It sharpens focus for a short time before drowsiness sets in
    3. It mainly slows the car because tired drivers ease off the gas
    4. It affects only drivers over 65 who already have weak eyesight
    Show answer

    It can affect vision and increase the time to make decisions. The manual describes fatigue as physical or mental tiredness caused by strain, repetitive tasks, illness, or lack of sleep. Its effects are concrete: your vision can suffer and you need more time to make decisions. A tired driver does not get a burst of sharper focus, and the problem is not limited to older drivers. Anyone short on sleep is at risk. The manual's advice is direct: avoid driving when you are tired or fatigued, because you do not want to fall asleep while driving.

    Study this in the handbook: Fatigue, distraction and the hands free law

13. 13. What do zero tolerance laws mean for drivers under 21, as the South Carolina manual explains them?

    1. Alcohol is allowed if it stays below the adult limit
    2. No alcohol in the circulatory system of the driver
    3. No alcohol may be carried anywhere in the vehicle
    4. One drink is allowed if an adult is in the car
    Show answer

    No alcohol in the circulatory system of the driver. Every state has a zero tolerance law, or a similar law, for drivers under 21, and the manual explains that zero tolerance means no alcohol in the circulatory system. That is stricter than any adult standard, so a young driver cannot rely on staying under an adult limit. The rule is about alcohol in the body, not about where a container sits, and an adult passenger does not create an allowance. In South Carolina, a driver under 21 who registers 0.02 percent or more faces an immediate suspension of at least three months.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, other drugs and implied consent

14. 14. Your car breaks down on a busy highway at night, and you have emergency flares. Where should you place them?

    1. Right next to your rear bumper
    2. About 50 feet in front of your vehicle
    3. About 1,000 feet behind your vehicle
    4. About 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle
    Show answer

    About 200 to 300 feet behind your vehicle. When your vehicle breaks down, try to get it off the road and away from traffic, turn on your emergency flashers, and warn other road users. If you have emergency flares, the manual says to place them about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle, which gives other drivers time to change lanes if necessary. Flares at your bumper give too little warning, and flares in front of the car are not where the manual places them.

    Study this in the handbook: Avoiding collisions and vehicle malfunctions

15. 15. You approach a rural intersection with no stop or yield signs. What does the South Carolina manual say to do?

    1. Keep your speed, since you have no sign to obey
    2. Slow down and be ready to stop for crossing traffic
    3. Expect cross traffic to yield to you on the paved road
    4. Honk and continue through without slowing
    Show answer

    Slow down and be ready to stop for crossing traffic. Some rural intersections have no yield or stop signs, and the manual warns they can be very dangerous if they are not approached with caution. Slow down and be prepared to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic. Having no sign does not give you the right-of-way, and you cannot assume cross traffic will yield because you are on the paved road. Crops, wooded areas, and steep hills can also limit how far you can see on rural roads.

    Study this in the handbook: Rural roads, winter driving and trailers

16. 16. You are backing a trailer with your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. To move the trailer to the left, which way do you move your hand?

    1. Move your hand to the left
    2. Move your hand to the right
    3. Move your hand to the top first
    4. Keep your hand still and reverse faster
    Show answer

    Move your hand to the left. The manual gives a simple method for backing a trailer: go slowly and keep your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. To move the trailer left, move your hand to the left; to move it right, move your hand to the right. Moving your hand to the top of the wheel is not part of the method, and backing faster is the opposite of the advice to go slowly. If the trailer starts to jackknife, stop, pull ahead to straighten out, and then start again.

17. 17. You drive through a work zone late at night and see no workers. What does the South Carolina manual say?

    1. Use extreme caution whether workers are there or not
    2. Return to the normal speed limit since no one is working
    3. Use high beams to light up the whole work area
    4. Drive faster to get through the zone sooner
    Show answer

    Use extreme caution whether workers are there or not. A quiet work zone at night still has the conditions that make work zones dangerous, such as narrower lanes and rough pavement. The manual says to use extreme caution when driving through a work zone at night whether workers are present or not, and to always reduce your speed in a work zone even if there are no workers. Keep obeying the posted work zone signs until you see the End Road Work sign.

18. 18. Which message would come from a regulatory sign, according to the South Carolina manual?

    1. A warning that a curve or hill is ahead
    2. Directions to a nearby hospital or a hotel
    3. Notice of a hazard, such as a road that gets slippery
    4. A rule about lane use or turning that you must obey
    Show answer

    A rule about lane use or turning that you must obey. Regulatory signs tell you about specific laws you must obey, including rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking, and other special situations. They are square, rectangular, or a special shape, and white with black, red, or green letters or symbols. Curves, hills, and slippery roads are announced by yellow warning signs, and hospitals or hotels appear on guide signs.

    Study this in the handbook: Regulatory and guide signs

19. 19. Your light turns green, but a pedestrian is still crossing in front of you. What must you do?

    1. Go, since the green light gives you priority
    2. Honk so the pedestrian hurries to the curb
    3. Wait until the pedestrian has finished crossing
    4. Drive around the pedestrian on the other side
    Show answer

    Wait until the pedestrian has finished crossing. A green light does not cancel a pedestrian's right-of-way. The manual says you must yield to all pedestrians in the intersection even if the light is green, and you must also yield to bicyclists and drivers still in the intersection. Wait until the person has cleared your path. Honking to hurry someone along is not what the manual advises, and steering around them still puts your vehicle in their crossing area.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, school zones and speed

20. 20. Your engine dies while you are driving at speed. What should you do with the steering wheel?

    1. Let go of it, since it will lock anyway
    2. Hold it loosely, because it will turn easily
    3. Keep a strong grip, even if it is hard to turn
    4. Turn it only after the engine restarts
    Show answer

    Keep a strong grip, even if it is hard to turn. The manual says to keep a strong grip on the steering wheel when the engine stops. The wheel may be difficult to turn, but it can still be turned. That means you keep steering the car toward a safe place instead of letting go or waiting for the engine to restart. Grip the wheel firmly while you slow and look for a safe stopping place.

    Study this in the handbook: Avoiding collisions and vehicle malfunctions