South Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   Compared with a sober driver, about how much more likely is a driver with a BAC of 0.08% to crash?

   • AAbout 20 times
   • BAbout the same
   • CAbout 4 times
   • DAbout 1.5 times
   Show answer

   Answer: C. About 4 times

   Drivers at a BAC of 0.08% are about four times more likely to crash than drivers with no alcohol.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A car in the lane next to you has stopped at a crosswalk. What should you do?

   • AHonk and pass
   • BChange lanes and speed up
   • CStop as well, because a pedestrian may be crossing
   • DPass it carefully
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Stop as well, because a pedestrian may be crossing

   Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you cannot see may be crossing in front of it.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does it mean to overdrive your headlights?

   • ADriving with only parking lights on
   • BDriving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show
   • CUsing high beams near other cars
   • DDriving with one headlight out
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show

   At night, drive at a speed that lets you stop within the area your headlights light up.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Orange signs like this one are used for:

   • AParks and recreation areas
   • BSchool zones
   • CWork zones and other temporary traffic control
   • DMotorist services
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Work zones and other temporary traffic control

   Orange is the color for work zones. Expect lane changes, lower speeds and workers on or near the road.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How far should you sit from the air bag in the steering wheel?

   • AAt least 3 feet
   • BAs close as you can
   • CAt least 10 inches
   • DAt least 2 inches
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At least 10 inches

   Sit at least 10 inches from the air bag cover, as long as you can still control the vehicle safely.

6. Question 6 of 25

   A police officer directing traffic waves you through a red light. What should you do?

   • AFollow the officer's directions
   • BTurn right instead
   • CHonk to check that the officer means you
   • DStay stopped until the light turns green
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Follow the officer's directions

   Directions from a police officer directing traffic override traffic lights, signs and pavement markings.

7. Question 7 of 25

   The speed limit is 55 mph, but there is thick fog and the road is slippery. How fast should you drive?

   • AExactly 10 mph under the limit
   • BAs fast as the cars around you
   • CSlower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions
   • D55 mph, because that is the limit
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Slower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions

   The posted limit is the top speed for good conditions. You can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even below the limit.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What should you do when you see this sign?

   • ATurn right only on a green light
   • BDo not turn right; go straight or turn left if allowed
   • CYield to vehicles turning right
   • DTurn right after a full stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Do not turn right; go straight or turn left if allowed

   The black arrow shows the move and the red circle and slash forbid it. You may not turn right at this intersection.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AYou must not drive into this road from where you are
   • BThe road is closed to trucks only
   • CStop, then enter when the way is clear
   • DOne-way street; turn here
   Show answer

   Answer: A. You must not drive into this road from where you are

   This sign is posted where you would be going the wrong way, such as a freeway exit ramp or the end of a one-way street. Do not enter.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Your car breaks down on a highway. What should you do first?

    • ATurn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can
    • BKeep the lights off to save the battery
    • CWalk along the highway for help
    • DStop in your lane and get out
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can

    Use your hazard flashers and get your car off the road if possible. Avoid stopping just over a hill or around a curve.

11. Question 11 of 25

    You stopped for a school bus with flashing red lights. When may you drive on?

    • AAfter waiting about 30 seconds
    • BWhen the bus driver honks
    • CAs soon as you see the children on the sidewalk
    • DOnly after the red lights stop flashing
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Only after the red lights stop flashing

    Stay stopped for as long as the red lights are flashing. Then watch for children before you move.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road is closed ahead
    • BA railroad crossing is ahead
    • CA radar speed check is ahead
    • DA rest area is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A railroad crossing is ahead

    This round yellow sign is placed before a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ADetour to the right
    • BRight turns only
    • CTraffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow
    • DKeep to the right of the divider
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow

    Drive only in the direction of the arrow. You may not drive the other way on a one-way street.

15. Question 15 of 25

    At a stop sign with a white stop line painted across your lane, where should you stop?

    • ABefore the stop line
    • BInside the crosswalk
    • CWith your front wheels past the line
    • DPast the line, at the edge of the cross street
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before the stop line

    A stop line shows where you must stop. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does a white diamond painted in a lane mean?

    • AThe lane is for trucks only
    • BThe lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles
    • CThere is a railroad crossing ahead
    • DThe lane ends soon
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles

    A diamond marks a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or other reserved lane. Signs tell you who may use it and when.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What do green signs like this one show?

    • ARules you must obey
    • BPlaces to get gas and food
    • CDirections and distances to places
    • DRoad work ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Directions and distances to places

    Green guide signs show routes, directions and distances in miles.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You are stopped at a red light and want to turn right, as shown. There is no sign about turning. What may you do?

    • ATurn right after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic
    • BWait for the green light, because turns on red are never allowed
    • CTurn right without stopping if no one is coming
    • DTurn right into the farthest lane right away
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn right after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic

    Unless a sign or local rule forbids it, you may turn right on red after a full stop, when pedestrians and traffic are clear.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk
    • BTurn off your headlights so deer are not blinded
    • CHonk your horn the whole time
    • DSwerve sharply if you see a deer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk

    Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. If one appears, brake firmly and stay in your lane rather than swerving.

20. Question 20 of 25

    An angry driver makes rude gestures and shouts at you. What should you do?

    • AStay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond
    • BSpeed up to get in front of the driver
    • CBrake suddenly to teach the driver a lesson
    • DGesture back
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, and do not respond

    Do not challenge an aggressive driver. Stay calm, ignore the gestures, and give the driver space.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Which of these is an illegal place to park?

    • AIn a marked space next to the curb
    • BOn a residential street with no signs
    • CIn an open space in a parking lot
    • DIn a crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In a crosswalk

    You may never park in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, because it blocks people who are crossing.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop only if other vehicles are near
    • BCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe
    • CSlow down and go if no one is coming
    • DStop only when a police officer is present
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

    A red octagon always means stop. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then go when it is safe.

23. Question 23 of 25

    The headlights of an oncoming car are blinding you. Where should you look?

    • AStraight into the headlights
    • BDown at your dashboard
    • CAt the center line
    • DToward the right edge of your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the right edge of your lane

    Look toward the right edge of the road until the car passes. Do not stare into the lights.

24. Question 24 of 25

    The school bus ahead of you turns on flashing yellow (amber) lights. What does this mean?

    • AThe bus is getting ready to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop
    • BThe bus has broken down
    • CYou should pass the bus quickly
    • DThe children have finished crossing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The bus is getting ready to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop

    Flashing yellow lights on a school bus warn that it will soon stop and turn on its red lights.

25. Question 25 of 25

    If you double your speed, about how much longer does it take to stop once you brake?

    • AAbout the same distance
    • BAbout half as far
    • CAbout four times as far
    • DAbout twice as far
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About four times as far

    Braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling your speed makes it about four times longer.

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