Key South Carolina facts: Emergencies
The three ways to avoid a collision or lessen its impact are braking, steering and accelerating. Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Emergencies and Avoiding Collisions, p. 9-1 (PDF p. 104) With anti-lock brakes, press the pedal as hard as you can and hold steady pressure; pumping deactivates ABS, a vibrating pedal and clicking are normal, and you can still steer. Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Braking, pp. 9-1-9-2 (PDF pp. 104-105) If the wheels leave the pavement at an uneven drop-off, avoid panic steering: slow down gradually and steer gently back onto the pavement. Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Uneven Surface Drop-Offs, p. 9-3 (PDF p. 106) Do not drive if the brake warning light is on. Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Brake Failure, p. 9-3 (PDF p. 106) If the brakes fail while driving, apply the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock, ready to release it if the car skids; if it does not work, turn off the engine and find a safe place to stop. Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Brake Failure, pp. 9-3-9-4 (PDF pp. 106-107) Sample Emergencies questions
You approach a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, and the lane beside you is clear. What should you do?
Speed up to pass quickly Slow down and move to a lane away from it Stop behind it until it leaves Keep your speed in your lane Show the answer
Slow down and move to a lane away from it
The move-over law asks you to slow down and change lanes away from the stopped vehicle when it is safe.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 10, Sharing the Road, Move-Over Law, p. 10-15 (PDF p. 124)
You brake hard in a car with ABS and the pedal vibrates with a clicking noise. What does that mean?
A tire has gone flat The ABS is working normally You should release the pedal The brakes are failing Show the answer
The ABS is working normally
Vibration and clicking are normal while ABS works. Keep firm pressure on the pedal and steer.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Braking, pp. 9-1-9-2 (PDF pp. 104-105)
You have a weapon in your car and a police officer pulls you over. When should you mention it?
After the officer hands you a ticket Never, since it is a private matter As soon as the officer first contacts you Only if the officer asks you about it Show the answer
As soon as the officer first contacts you
Tell the officer about all weapons in the vehicle at first contact.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 10, Sharing the Road, What to Do and Expect When Stopped by Law Enforcement, p. 10-12 (PDF p. 121)
Your brakes stop working while you drive. What does the manual tell you to try first?
Shift into reverse Turn the steering wheel sharply Open the driver's door Apply the parking brake slowly Show the answer
Apply the parking brake slowly
Apply the parking brake slowly so the rear wheels do not lock, and be ready to release it if you start to skid.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Brake Failure, pp. 9-3-9-4 (PDF pp. 106-107)
An officer gives you a traffic ticket in South Carolina. Must you sign it?
No, signing is not required in SC Yes, signing admits guilt Only if you disagree Yes, or you will be arrested Show the answer
No, signing is not required in SC
South Carolina does not require drivers to sign a ticket, and accepting one is not an admission of guilt.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 10, Sharing the Road, What to Do and Expect When Stopped by Law Enforcement, p. 10-13 (PDF p. 122)
The manual names three ways to avoid a collision. What are they?
Braking, steering and accelerating Honking, flashing and braking Steering, honking and waving Braking, reversing and stopping Show the answer
Braking, steering and accelerating
You can brake, steer around the problem or speed up, depending on the situation.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Emergencies and Avoiding Collisions, p. 9-1 (PDF p. 104)
A front tire blows out. Which way will the vehicle tend to pull?
Sharply away from the blowout Straight ahead, with no pull Sharply toward the side of the blowout Toward the center line, always Show the answer
Sharply toward the side of the blowout
A front blowout pulls the car hard toward the blown tire, so grip the wheel firmly and keep it straight.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Tire Blowout, p. 9-4 (PDF p. 107)
Your car breaks down on the highway. How far behind it should you place emergency flares?
About one mile About 50 feet About 200 to 300 feet About 10 to 20 feet Show the answer
About 200 to 300 feet
Flares placed 200 to 300 feet back give approaching drivers time to change lanes.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Vehicle Breakdown, p. 9-5 (PDF p. 108)
Your brake warning light comes on. What should you do?
Do not drive until the brakes are checked Pump the brakes to reset it Keep driving but brake earlier Ignore it if the brakes feel fine Show the answer
Do not drive until the brakes are checked
The warning light means the brakes may not be working properly, so the manual says not to drive.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 9, Emergency Situations and Avoiding Collisions, Brake Failure, p. 9-3 (PDF p. 106)
What is the smallest depth of water the manual says can reach the bottom of most passenger cars?
About two inches About six inches About three feet About two feet Show the answer
About six inches
Six inches of water can reach the bottom of most cars and cause stalling, and two feet of moving water can carry most vehicles away.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 8, Safe Driving Tips, Flooded roadways, p. 8-4 (PDF p. 97)
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the South Carolina Driver's Manual (Edition linked from SCDMV's Beginner's Permit page; no revision date is printed (the cover page of the 06/2024 edition is gone) and the file was last modified 2026-04-01 (server date), read 2026-11-09. Compared with the 06/2024 edition it adds the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act (pp. 3-4 to 3-5), a 30-day permit holding period for applicants 18 or older (p. 1-5) and shorter route-restricted license lists; the rest of the text is the same, with some pages shifted. Pages are cited as printed (section-page, e.g. 1-4) with the PDF page. Where the manual gives no value, the South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 56, Chapter 5 (scstatehouse.gov, read 2026-11-09) and SCDMV web pages are the source. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
