20 questions from the South Carolina driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Under what condition should a driver turn on their interior lights during a nighttime traffic stop?
Answer: If it is nighttime, turn on interior lights to help the officer see inside the vehicle. The handbook advises turning on interior lights at night to assist the officer's visibility inside the car.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 122: “If it is nighttime, the officer may direct a spotlight at your vehicle once stopped. To assist with visibility, turn on your interior lights as soon as you stop to help the officer see inside your vehicle.”
2. When a pedestrian is crossing a street guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, what action must a driver take?
Answer: Come to a complete stop. The handbook mandates a complete stop for visually impaired pedestrians using a cane or guide dog.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 110: “When a pedestrian is crossing a street guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, you must come to a complete stop.”
3. Under the rules for a Special Restricted License, during which hours may a 16-year-old drive alone without a supervising licensed driver?
Answer: From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (or 8 p.m. during daylight savings time). The handbook states that solo driving is permitted only during these specific daytime hours, while other times require supervision.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 12: “You may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight savings time).”
4. When parking uphill on a hill without a curb, how should you turn your wheels?
Answer: Turn wheels to the right. The handbook states that when heading uphill without a curb, drivers must turn their wheels to the right to ensure the vehicle rolls off the road if brakes fail.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 88: “Headed uphill, without a curb: turn wheels to the right so that the vehicle will roll off the road if the brakes fail.”
5. Why should you avoid using your horn when passing an animal-drawn vehicle?
Answer: It may scare the animal and cause a collision. The handbook advises against honking to prevent startling the animal, which could lead to an accident.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 125: “Pass with caution and do not use your horn or “rev” your vehicle’s engine because this may scare the animal and cause a collision.”
6. When using hand-to-hand steering during normal driving above 10-15 mph, how should the driver manipulate the wheel?
Answer: One hand pushes the wheel up while the opposite hand slides up, grasps, and pulls down. The handbook describes the push/pull method where one hand pushes up and the other slides and pulls down, avoiding crossing hands over the center.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 56: “Depending on the direction of the turn, your right or left hand pushes the wheel up and the opposite hand slides up, grasps the wheel and pulls down to continue the turn.”
7. Why is 2 and 10 o'clock not recommended for steering according to the handbook?
Answer: It can be dangerous in vehicles equipped with airbags. The handbook directly attributes the recommendation against the 2 and 10 position to safety concerns regarding airbags.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 57: “steering, 2 and 10 o’clock is not recommended because it can be dangerous in vehicles equipped with airbags.”
8. What is the maximum distance from the address on the registration certificate within which a golf cart may operate?
Answer: Four miles. The rules state that golf carts are restricted to operating within a four-mile radius of the registered address.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 30: “within four miles of the address on the registration certificate”
9. According to the handbook, what is the correct action when approaching railroad tracks and needing to stop for traffic or a signal?
Answer: Stop at the stop line before the railroad tracks. The handbook instructs drivers to stop at the stop line located before the tracks, rather than on the tracks themselves or in the intersection.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 66: “If you are approaching railroad tracks and you need to stop for traffic or a signal, stop at the stop line before the railroad tracks.”
10. Which of the following is a recommended action when driving through a work zone?
Answer: Reduce your speed, increase following distance, and watch surrounding traffic. The handbook lists specific actions for work zones, including reducing speed and increasing distance, while noting that speed reduction is required even without visible workers.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 129: “Reduce your speed, increase your following distance, watch the traffic around you, and be prepared to stop.”
11. According to the handbook, which of the following is a potential effect of taking over-the-counter drugs such as pep pills or diet pills?
Answer: They can make you feel nervous, dizzy, unable to concentrate, and may affect your vision. The handbook lists specific negative side effects like nervousness and dizziness associated with these types of over-the-counter drugs.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 40: “Pep pills, “uppers,” and diet pills can make you feel nervous, dizzy, unable to concentrate, and may affect your vision.”
12. How long is the driving privilege suspension for drivers under the age of 21 who register a BAC of 0.02 percent or greater?
Answer: At least three months. Drivers under 21 with a BAC of 0.02% or higher face an immediate suspension of driving privileges for a minimum of three months.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 38: “If you are under 21 years of age and register a BAC of 0.02 percent or greater, your privilege to drive will be suspended immediately for at least three months.”
13. How does a Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection differ from a conventional intersection regarding cross street movements?
Answer: It eliminates left-turn and through movements from cross street approaches. RCUT intersections are designed to eliminate left-turn and through movements from cross streets, requiring drivers to turn right and then U-turn instead.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 81: “The RCUT intersection differs from a conventional intersection by eliminating the left-turn and through movements from cross street approaches.”
14. How does the handbook suggest handling the combination of alcohol and other impairing drugs?
Answer: Never drink alcohol while you are taking other drugs. The handbook instructs drivers never to combine alcohol with other drugs due to multiplied impairing effects.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 40: “Never drink alcohol while you are taking other drugs, including prescription or over-the-counter drugs.”
15. According to the handbook, what is the maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations?
Answer: 55 mph. The handbook states that 55 mph is the maximum recommended speed for these combinations.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 136: “The maximum recommended speed for most vehicle-trailer combinations is 55 mph.”
16. When should you dim your high beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle?
Answer: When you are 500 feet or more away. The handbook specifies a distance of 500 feet as the threshold for dimming high beams to avoid blinding oncoming drivers.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 126: “Dim your high beams when you are 500 feet or more away from any oncoming vehicle.”
17. How should you use the shoulder on a multi-lane road?
Answer: Use it as an emergency stopping lane. The handbook defines the shoulder specifically for emergency stopping purposes and states it is not for through traffic.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 90: “The shoulder is a hard surface on the right side of the roadway that is to be used as an emergency stopping lane and not for through traffic.”
18. Where should heavy items be placed when packing a trailer?
Answer: On the floor of the trailer. The handbook instructs drivers to keep heavy items on the floor rather than stacking them on top of other cargo.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 136: “Keep heavy items on the floor of the trailer, not packed on top of other items.”
19. What action should you take if the trailer begins to sway or whip?
Answer: Steer straight and reduce speed gradually. The handbook advises steering straight and reducing speed gradually while stating not to apply the brakes.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 135: “If the trailer begins to sway or whip, steer straight and reduce speed gradually; do not apply the brakes.”
20. What does a yield sign indicate to a driver?
Answer: Slow down and allow traffic that has the right-of-way to cross before entering. The handbook states that a yield sign requires the driver to slow down and yield to traffic with the right-of-way before entering the intersection.
South Carolina driver handbook, page 69: “It means you must slow down and allow traffic that has the right-of-way to cross before entering.”