South Carolina DMV Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Your car goes into deep water and starts to sink. What should you do?

   • AStay buckled and wait for help
   • BUnbuckle and escape through a window
   • COpen a door right away
   • DTurn the engine off and on again
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Unbuckle and escape through a window

   Get out through a window. Opening a door can let water rush in and roll the car over.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does implied consent mean?

   • APolice may search your home at any time
   • BYou may refuse a chemical test with no penalty
   • CBy driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police
   • DYour passengers must also be tested
   Show answer

   Answer: C. By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police

   Under implied consent laws, getting a license and driving means you agree to be tested when an officer lawfully asks.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A common cause of serious motorcycle crashes is a driver who:

   • ATurns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
   • BParks next to a motorcycle
   • CFollows a motorcycle at a safe distance
   • DPasses a motorcycle on a straight road
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle

   Drivers turning left often fail to see oncoming motorcycles. Look carefully for motorcycles before you turn.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right
   • BThe divided highway ends
   • CA narrow bridge is ahead
   • DA crossroad is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right

   A median or barrier will separate the two directions of traffic. Keep to the right of it.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ATraffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in
   • BTwo lanes become three
   • CYour lane ends and you must exit
   • DA divided highway begins
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Traffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in

   Traffic is merging from the side shown. Adjust your speed, or change lanes if it is safe, so vehicles can merge smoothly.

6. Question 6 of 25

   When may you pass another vehicle on the right?

   • AWhen the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely
   • BWhen you can use the shoulder
   • CWhenever the vehicle ahead is slow
   • DOnly on a two-lane road
   Show answer

   Answer: A. When the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely

   You may pass on the right only when it is safe, such as when the car ahead is turning left or on a road with two or more lanes your way. Never use the shoulder.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Your car starts to hydroplane. What should you do?

   • ATurn sharply toward the shoulder
   • BBrake hard right away
   • CSpeed up to get through the water
   • DEase off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard

   Slowly take your foot off the gas and hold the wheel steady until the tires grip again. Do not use the brakes hard.

8. Question 8 of 25

   You see this orange and red triangle on the back of a farm tractor. What does it mean?

   • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early
   • BThe vehicle is about to turn
   • CThe vehicle is an emergency vehicle
   • DThe vehicle is carrying hazardous materials
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early

   The slow-moving vehicle emblem is used on farm equipment, construction equipment and animal-drawn vehicles.

9. Question 9 of 25

   In most states, how far before a turn should you start signaling?

   • AAt least 10 feet
   • BOnly as you begin to turn
   • CAt least half a mile
   • DAt least 100 feet
   Show answer

   Answer: D. At least 100 feet

   Most state laws require you to signal at least 100 feet before you turn. Check your state handbook in case a longer distance applies.

10. Question 10 of 25

    An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

    • AKeep your speed and lane
    • BStop behind the police car
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

    Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn around here
    • BLeft turns are not allowed here
    • CU-turns are not allowed here
    • DSharp curve ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. U-turns are not allowed here

    A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here you may not make a U-turn.

12. Question 12 of 25

    How should you exit a freeway?

    • AStop on the shoulder, then take the exit
    • BSlow down in the main lane, then change lanes
    • CMove into the exit lane early, then slow down in the exit lane
    • DCross the painted area at the last moment
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Move into the exit lane early, then slow down in the exit lane

    Get into the correct lane well before the exit, signal, and do most of your slowing after you enter the exit lane or ramp.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop
    • BNo passing
    • CA railroad crossing is ahead
    • DMerge into the next lane now
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop

    Slow down so you can yield to traffic at the YIELD sign ahead.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which numbered marking separates lanes going in the same direction and allows lane changes when it is safe?

    • AMarking 5
    • BMarking 6
    • CMarking 2
    • DMarking 1
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Marking 5

    A broken white line (marking 5) separates lanes moving the same way. You may change lanes across it when safe.

15. Question 15 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent upward at the elbow. What does this hand signal mean?

    • AHazard ahead
    • BSlowing down or stopping
    • CRight turn
    • DLeft turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Right turn

    The left arm bent upward means a right turn.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Car A wants to turn left on a green light. Car B is coming from the other direction, going straight. Which car should go first?

    • ACar B
    • BCar A, if its turn signal is on
    • CCar A
    • DWhichever car is faster
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Car B

    When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger.

17. Question 17 of 25

    A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is waiting to cross. What should you do?

    • AStop and let the person cross, without honking
    • BWave the person across from far away
    • CHonk so the person knows you are there
    • DDrive around the person
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and let the person cross, without honking

    Pedestrians who use white canes or guide dogs have the right-of-way. Do not honk at a blind pedestrian.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATraffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge
    • BTwo-way traffic ahead
    • CThe road narrows ahead
    • DYou must merge left now
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Traffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge

    The entering traffic gets a new lane. Still watch for drivers who change lanes.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does a steady yellow light mean?

    • ASpeed up to get through before it turns red
    • BThe light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely
    • COnly pedestrians may move now
    • DThe intersection is clear, so go
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely

    A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ARight turns only
    • BThe right lane ends
    • CA side road joins from the right
    • DA sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A sharp turn to the right is ahead; slow down a lot

    A sharp turn needs a much lower speed than a gentle curve. Look for a yellow speed plate under the sign.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

    • AThe light is about to turn green
    • BStop only if other cars are coming
    • CStop completely, then go when it is safe
    • DSlow down and go with care without stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe

    A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when the way is clear.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AKeep left
    • BLeft turns only
    • CSharp curve to the left
    • DYou may not turn left here
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You may not turn left here

    The arrow shows a left turn and the red circle and slash ban it. Go straight or turn right if allowed.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AAlways come to a full stop
    • BThe road narrows ahead
    • CMerge without slowing down
    • DSlow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed

    A triangle pointing down means yield. Slow down, give the right-of-way, and stop only if you must.

24. Question 24 of 25

    As you get close to your exit from a roundabout, what should you do?

    • ATurn on your right turn signal and exit
    • BGo around once more to check traffic
    • CStop inside the roundabout before exiting
    • DTurn on your left turn signal and exit
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn on your right turn signal and exit

    Signal right as you approach your exit so others know you are leaving the roundabout.

25. Question 25 of 25

    This yellow plate is posted under a curve sign. What does it tell you?

    • AThe legal speed limit for the whole road is 35 mph
    • BOnly trucks must slow to 35 mph
    • CThe minimum speed is 35 mph
    • DThe recommended speed for the curve is 35 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The recommended speed for the curve is 35 mph

    Yellow speed plates give an advisory speed for a curve or hazard in good conditions. Drive slower if the road is wet or icy.

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