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South Carolina permit practice: 20 free questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation and its handbook source. These are Steerlet practice questions, not the official test or its exact format.

Written from South Carolina Driver’s License Manual. Independently checked October 26, 2026.

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Question 1 of 20

A traffic light ahead is flashing yellow. How should you approach the intersection?

AKeep your speed because other traffic must wait.BSlow down and continue carefully.CWait for the signal to turn green.

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Correct answer: B. Slow down and continue carefully.

Flashing yellow calls for a slower, careful approach. Watch for traffic entering your path and be ready to stop.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 6: Rules of the Road — Traffic Signals, PDF page 62. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 2 of 20

You must stop at a red light. A stop line comes before the crosswalk. Where should your vehicle stop?

AAt the far edge of the crosswalk.BInside the crosswalk if no one is walking.CBefore the stop line.

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Correct answer: C. Before the stop line.

A stop line before a crosswalk sets the stopping position. Keep the vehicle behind that line.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 6: Rules of the Road — Crosswalks and Stop Lines, PDF page 74. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 3 of 20

You are leaving a private driveway to enter a public highway. Which traffic must you yield to?

ADrivers already using the highway.BOnly drivers who sound their horn.COnly vehicles approaching from your left.

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Correct answer: A. Drivers already using the highway.

Traffic on the public highway goes before a vehicle entering from a driveway. Wait for an opening that lets you join safely.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 6: Rules of the Road — Yielding Right-of-Way, PDF page 61. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 4 of 20

As you enter a roundabout, which vehicles must you let go first?

AVehicles waiting to enter behind you.BVehicles already traveling around the center island.CVehicles approaching a different entrance but not yet in the circle.

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Correct answer: B. Vehicles already traveling around the center island.

Entering drivers yield to vehicles already circulating. Wait for a suitable gap before joining the roundabout.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 7: General Driving — Roundabouts and Traffic Circles, PDF page 82. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 5 of 20

Two lanes are marked for the same turn. After choosing one and starting the turn, what should you do?

AMove to the other turning lane midway through.BCross the lane divider whenever another vehicle is behind you.CKeep your chosen lane through the whole turn.

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Correct answer: C. Keep your chosen lane through the whole turn.

When several lanes turn together, keep the lane you entered until you finish turning. A turn is not the time to move into the neighboring lane.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 7: General Driving — Turning and Turnabouts — Multiple lanes turning, PDF page 77. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 6 of 20

Before moving into the lane beside you, how should you check the area your mirrors cannot show?

ATurn your head to look over the shoulder on that side.BRely on the inside mirror alone.CSound the horn and begin moving over.

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Correct answer: A. Turn your head to look over the shoulder on that side.

Look over the shoulder on the side you plan to enter to check the blind spot. Mirror checks alone leave areas unseen.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 7: General Driving — Changing Lanes, PDF page 89. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 7 of 20

For ordinary driving, what minimum time gap should you try to keep behind the vehicle ahead?

ATwo seconds.BFour seconds.COne second.

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Correct answer: B. Four seconds.

Use at least a four-second gap in ordinary conditions. Measure it by counting from the moment the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point until you reach that point.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Space Management — Space in Front, PDF page 99. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 8 of 20

You are approaching a curve. When should you reduce your speed for it?

AAfter entering, using a sudden hard brake application.BOnly after reaching the tightest part.CBefore you enter the curve.

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Correct answer: C. Before you enter the curve.

Set a safe speed before the curve begins. Braking sharply once you are turning can reduce tire grip.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Speed Management — Adjusting To Roadway Conditions, PDF page 95. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 9 of 20

You are parking along a roadway beside a curb. What is the greatest permitted distance between your vehicle and the curb?

A18 inches.B24 inches.C30 inches.

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Correct answer: A. 18 inches.

Park within 18 inches of the curb or pavement edge. Keep the parked vehicle out of the traffic flow as much as possible.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 7: General Driving — Parking, PDF page 86. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 10 of 20

A vehicle displays a disability parking placard. When may it use a designated disability parking space?

AWhenever any licensed driver borrows the vehicle.BWhen the person named on the placard registration is driving or being transported.CWhenever the driver plans to stay less than five minutes.

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Correct answer: B. When the person named on the placard registration is driving or being transported.

The placard is tied to the registered person with the disability. That person must be driving or riding in the vehicle for the space to be used.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 7: General Driving — Parking, PDF page 85. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 11 of 20

A motorcyclist is riding in the lane beside you. How much lane space should you allow the motorcycle?

AOnly enough room to stay near the edge of the lane.BHalf the lane so a car can travel alongside it.CThe entire lane width.

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Correct answer: C. The entire lane width.

Give a motorcycle its own full lane. The rider needs that space to respond to traffic.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 10: Sharing the Road — Motorcyclists, PDF page 114. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 12 of 20

A person carrying a white cane is crossing the street ahead. What must you do?

AStop completely and let the person cross.BContinue slowly if you can fit behind the person.CSound your horn so the person waits for you.

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Correct answer: A. Stop completely and let the person cross.

A crossing pedestrian using a white cane requires a complete stop. Yield and allow the person to cross safely.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 10: Sharing the Road — Pedestrians, PDF page 110. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 13 of 20

Floodwater covers the road ahead, and another route is available. What should you do?

ADrive through slowly if the water looks shallow.BTurn around and use the other route.CFollow closely behind a larger vehicle through the water.

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Correct answer: B. Turn around and use the other route.

Choose another route rather than driving into floodwater. Even shallow-looking water may conceal damage or other hazards.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 8: Safe Driving Tips — Adjusting To Roadway Conditions — Flooded roadways, PDF page 97. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 14 of 20

Your vehicle starts skidding. How should you use the steering wheel?

ATurn sharply away from the route you want to follow.BHold it fixed regardless of where the vehicle is sliding.CLook toward your intended path and steer toward it.

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Correct answer: C. Look toward your intended path and steer toward it.

Look toward the path you want the vehicle to take and steer that way. Ease off pressure on the brake or accelerator as you work to regain control.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 9: Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions — Dealing with Skids, PDF page 105. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 15 of 20

How does alcohol affect the time you need to respond to a driving problem?

AIt slows the processing and response you need for driving.BIt makes your response faster if you feel relaxed.CIt leaves your response unchanged after the first drink.

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Correct answer: A. It slows the processing and response you need for driving.

Alcohol delays your response to driving situations. Impairment can begin with the first drink.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 3: Be in Shape to Drive — Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Driving — Effects of Alcohol and Other Impairing Drugs, PDF page 38. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 16 of 20

You bought cold medicine without a prescription and are unsure whether you can drive safely after taking it. What should you do?

AAssume it is safe because no prescription was needed.BAsk a doctor or pharmacist about its side effects.CUse coffee to cancel any effect on driving.

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Correct answer: B. Ask a doctor or pharmacist about its side effects.

Medicine sold without a prescription can make you drowsy or affect driving. A doctor or pharmacist can advise you about its effects when you are unsure.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 3: Be in Shape to Drive — Other Impairing Drugs and Driving — Over-the-Counter Drugs, PDF page 40. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 17 of 20

Where should the shoulder portion of your safety belt lie?

AUnder your arm.BBehind your back.COver your shoulder and across your chest.

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Correct answer: C. Over your shoulder and across your chest.

Keep the shoulder strap over the shoulder and chest with little slack. Putting it behind you or under an arm can cause serious internal injury in a collision.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 4: Before You Drive — Using Safety Belts, PDF page 49. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 18 of 20

Your vehicle has air bags. What should you do about your safety belt?

AWear it on every trip.BLeave it off when driving below the speed limit.CUse it only if the air bag warning light comes on.

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Correct answer: A. Wear it on every trip.

Air bags supplement safety belts. Use the belt even in a vehicle equipped with air bags.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 4: Before You Drive — Using Safety Belts; Air Bags, PDF page 49. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 19 of 20

What is the youngest age at which a first-time driver may obtain a regular South Carolina beginner’s permit?

A14 years old.B15 years old.C16 years old.

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Correct answer: B. 15 years old.

The minimum age for a regular beginner’s permit is 15. An applicant also has to meet the testing and other permit requirements.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 1: The Driver’s License — Licensing Requirements — Beginner’s Permit, PDF page 8. Checked October 26, 2026.

Question 20 of 20

Which tests must a first-time driver pass to get a regular South Carolina beginner’s permit?

AVision and an on-road skills test.BAn on-road skills test and a vehicle inspection.CVision and knowledge tests.

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Correct answer: C. Vision and knowledge tests.

A regular beginner’s permit requires passing the vision and knowledge exams. The permit lets a new driver begin supervised practice before the licensing skills test.

Source: South Carolina Driver’s License Manual — Section 1: The Driver’s License — Licensing Requirements — Beginner’s Permit, PDF page 8. Checked October 26, 2026.

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