20 questions from the South Carolina driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What should a driver do immediately when their vehicle begins to skid?
Answer: Release pressure from the brake or accelerator. The instructions for handling skids specify releasing brake or accelerator pressure to help regain control.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 105: “Release pressure from the brake or accelerator.”
2. What shape are warning signs typically?
Answer: Diamond shaped. The handbook specifies that warning signs, which indicate possible danger ahead, are typically diamond shaped.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 63: “These signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and are typically diamond shaped.”
3. How should you handle braking during a tire blowout?
Answer: Do not brake; allow the vehicle to slow by itself. The instructions for a tire blowout specifically state not to brake and to let the vehicle slow down naturally.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 107: “Do not brake. Allow the vehicle to slow by itself”
4. Under what condition is a driver NOT required to stop for a stopped school bus on a multi-lane highway?
Answer: When meeting the bus while traveling in the opposite direction. Drivers traveling in the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway are exempt from stopping for a stopped school bus, unlike those behind it or on two-lane roads.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 85: “A driver of a vehicle does not have to stop upon meeting a stopped school bus when traveling in the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway or multi-lane private road.”
5. According to the handbook, where should you place emergency flares behind a disabled vehicle?
Answer: About 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle. The handbook specifies placing flares 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle to warn oncoming traffic.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 108: “If you have emergency flares, place them about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle, giving other drivers some time to change lanes if necessary.”
6. How far ahead should a driver ideally look to allow sufficient time to adjust and plan driving movements?
Answer: 20 to 30 seconds in front of the vehicle. The handbook specifies a 20 to 30-second lookahead window to help drivers see conditions and make better decisions.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 94: “Ideally, you should try to look at what is occurring 20 to 30 seconds in front of your vehicle.”
7. How should a driver handle a disagreement with a traffic ticket issued by an officer?
Answer: Politely ask for clarification and contest the ticket in court if desired. The handbook instructs drivers not to argue at the scene but to use the court system to contest the ticket if necessary.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 122: “If you disagree with the officer’s decision to issue a traffic ticket, do not prolong the contact by arguing with the officer. If you wish to contest the ticket, you will have the opportunity to explain your point in court.”
8. What is the minimum age requirement to drive a golf cart in South Carolina?
Answer: 16 years old. The handbook states that a driver must be at least 16 years old to operate a golf cart.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 30: “You must be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license to drive a golf cart.”
9. What action should a driver take when meeting a truck coming from the opposite direction?
Answer: Keep as far as possible to the right side of the roadway. Staying to the right helps avoid collisions caused by wind turbulence pushing the vehicles apart and ensures safe passing distances.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 120: “When you meet a truck coming from the opposite direction, keep as far as possible to the right side of the roadway to avoid a side-swept collision and to reduce the wind turbulence between the two vehicles, which pushes the vehicles apart.”
10. Which of the following is a permitted destination when driving with a route-restricted driver's license?
Answer: To and from your place of employment. The handbook lists employment, education, and residence as the specific allowed destinations for this license type.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 25: “To and from your place of employment, education, or residence”
11. What is the correct procedure for applying brakes when a vehicle is equipped with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)?
Answer: Press the brake pedal as hard as possible and maintain constant pressure. The handbook instructs drivers to apply constant, hard pressure to the brake pedal rather than pumping it, which would disable the ABS function.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 104: “Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying constant pressure. Do not pump the brakes because this will deactivate ABS.”
12. What is the correct procedure for starting the engine in a vehicle with a traditional ignition switch?
Answer: Place your right foot on the brake pedal, check the gear selector is in park, and turn the ignition switch to the on position. The instructions specify placing the right foot on the brake, verifying the gear is in park, and then turning the ignition switch to the on position.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 54: “To start the engine, place your right foot on the brake pedal and check the gear selector lever for park. Place the key in the ignition and turn the ignition switch to the on position.”
13. What does the handbook recommend if you are experiencing extreme emotions such as anger or worry while preparing to drive?
Answer: Give yourself time to cool off and stay off the road until symptoms pass. The handbook advises waiting until emotional symptoms pass before driving to ensure safety.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 41: “If you are angry or worried, it is best to give yourself time to “cool off”. A short walk or nap may help. It is best to stay off the road until your symptoms have passed.”
14. When passing a large vehicle, what specific visual confirmation should you look for in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front?
Answer: The whole front of the vehicle. The handbook instructs drivers to ensure the entire front of the large vehicle is visible in the rear-view mirror to confirm sufficient space before merging.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 118: “When passing a large vehicle, look for the whole front of the vehicle in your rear-view mirror before pulling in front and be sure to maintain your speed.”
15. According to state law, how far before changing lanes, turning, or merging must a driver activate their turn signal?
Answer: 100 feet or more. The handbook states that the legal requirement for signaling is at least 100 feet prior to the maneuver.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 102: “It is state law that you must use a turn signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning left or right, or when merging into traffic.”
16. When approaching a yellow traffic light, what is the primary instruction given to drivers?
Answer: Stop your vehicle and wait for the next green light. The handbook instructs drivers to stop their vehicle upon seeing a yellow light, unless they are already in the intersection.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 62: “YELLOW Traffic Light—A yellow caution light follows the green signal and is a warning that the signal is about to change to the red stop signal. Therefore, you should stop your vehicle and wait for the next green light.”
17. When checking blind spots before changing lanes, how should you look?
Answer: Turn your head and look over your shoulder. The handbook instructs drivers to physically turn their heads and look over their shoulders to check blind spots, rather than relying solely on mirrors.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 89: “Check your “blind spots,” or areas around your vehicle that cannot be seen by other vehicles. This is done by turning your head and looking over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move.”
18. Why does the handbook recommend keeping both hands on the steering wheel at all times except when necessary?
Answer: It reduces muscle stress and lowers the chance of injury in a frontal crash with an airbag. The handbook states that keeping hands on the wheel in the specified positions reduces muscle stress and minimizes injury risk during a frontal crash involving an airbag.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 56: “Since your hands and arms never cross over the steering wheel, there is less chance of injury to your face, hands, and arms in the event of a frontal crash when a vehicle is equipped with a driver’s side air bag.”
19. What is the recommended action for a driver when approaching a lane closure in a construction zone with heavy, slow traffic?
Answer: Stay in the current lane until reaching the point of merge, then take turns. The handbook advises using the Zipper Merge technique, which involves staying in the current lane until the merge point and alternating with other drivers.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 92: “When you see a “lane closed ahead” sign and traffic is backing up, stay in your current lane of traffic until you reach the point of merge. Then take turns with the other drivers to, safely and smoothly, ease into the open lane of traffic.”
20. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure for positioning your vehicle when making a left turn?
Answer: Turn left from the left-most portion of your lane. The handbook instructs drivers to initiate left turns from the left-most part of their lane to ensure proper positioning.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 77: “Always turn left from the left-most portion of your lane.”