South Carolina Safe Driving practice test
Practice following distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road: 67 questions based on the South Carolina Driver's Manual, 24 of them on South Carolina's own rules.
Key South Carolina facts: Safe Driving
Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day to stay alert. Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Fatigue, p. 3-3 (PDF p. 34) Set the steering wheel so its top sits at or below shoulder height. Section 4, Before You Drive, Adjusting Seat and Mirrors, p. 4-3 (PDF p. 46) Adjust the head restraint so it touches the back of your head and is not below the level of your ears; it helps prevent whiplash. Section 4, Before You Drive, Adjusting Seat and Mirrors, p. 4-3 (PDF p. 46) Check tire pressure monthly with a gauge, when the tires are cold, and compare it with the PSI on the sticker inside the door frame. Section 4, Before You Drive, Check Tire Pressure with a Pressure Gauge Monthly, pp. 4-1-4-2 (PDF pp. 44-45) In the penny test, a tire is too worn if you can see all of Lincoln's head when the penny is placed head first in a groove. Section 4, Before You Drive, Check Tread Depth with a Penny, pp. 4-2-4-3 (PDF pp. 45-46) Sample Safe Driving questions
When checking tire pressure, which number should you compare your gauge reading with?
The speedometer's top speed Whatever a friend's car uses The PSI on the sticker in the door frame The largest number on the tire sidewall Show the answer
The PSI on the sticker in the door frame
Check the tires cold and match them to the pressure shown on the door frame sticker.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 4, Before You Drive, Check Tire Pressure with a Pressure Gauge Monthly, pp. 4-1-4-2 (PDF pp. 44-45)
How far back can a large vehicle's blind spot directly behind it reach?
Up to 30 feet Up to 10 feet Up to one mile Up to 200 feet Show the answer
Up to 200 feet
If you follow too closely, the driver cannot see you and you cannot see what is ahead.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 10, Sharing the Road, The No Zone, p. 10-9 (PDF p. 118)
The trailer you are towing begins to sway. What should you do?
Steer quickly from side to side to correct it Steer straight and slow gradually, without braking Speed up to pull the trailer straight Brake hard at once to stop the sway Show the answer
Steer straight and slow gradually, without braking
Do not brake or increase speed. Keep the wheel straight, ease off, and stop when you can get completely off the road.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 11, Special Driving Situations, Loading a Trailer, p. 11-10 (PDF p. 135)
With good brakes on dry pavement, about how far can braking from 50 mph take?
About 75 feet About 158 feet About 40 feet About 500 feet Show the answer
About 158 feet
That figure is braking distance only; perception and reaction add more.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 8, Safe Driving Tips, Stopping Distance, p. 8-5 (PDF p. 98)
A loaded truck is going 55 mph in ideal conditions. At least how far does it need to stop?
150 feet 100 feet 1,000 feet 335 feet Show the answer
335 feet
That is more than one and a half times a car's stopping distance, so never cut in front of a large truck.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 10, Sharing the Road, The No Zone, p. 10-9 (PDF p. 118)
How much sleep does the manual say most people need each day to stay alert?
4 to 5 hours 10 to 12 hours 7 to 9 hours 5 to 6 hours Show the answer
7 to 9 hours
Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a day to stay alert while awake.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Fatigue, p. 3-3 (PDF p. 34)
How does the manual define aggressive driving?
Driving at exactly the posted speed limit Intentionally endangering people or property Staying in the left lane on a highway Tapping the horn once to warn of a hazard Show the answer
Intentionally endangering people or property
Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes and ignoring signals are typical aggressive behaviors.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 3, Be in Shape to Drive, Aggressive Driving, p. 3-5 (PDF p. 36)
You put a penny head first into your tire tread and can see all of Lincoln's head. What does that mean?
The tread is still deep enough The tire needs rotating only The tire pressure is too high The tire is too worn and should be replaced Show the answer
The tire is too worn and should be replaced
If the whole head shows, the tread is too shallow, so do not drive on that tire.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 4, Before You Drive, Check Tread Depth with a Penny, pp. 4-2-4-3 (PDF pp. 45-46)
Ideally, how far ahead of your vehicle should you look while driving?
5 seconds ahead 20 to 30 seconds ahead 2 to 3 seconds ahead Only to the next car Show the answer
20 to 30 seconds ahead
Looking well down your path gives you time to adjust and avoid emergency braking.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 8, Safe Driving Tips, Visual Search, p. 8-1 (PDF p. 94)
When should you use hand-over-hand steering?
At highway speeds on the interstate Never, because it is unsafe Only when backing up At low speeds, such as when parking Show the answer
At low speeds, such as when parking
Hand-over-hand is for slow, sharp turns; push/pull steering is for normal driving above about 10 to 15 mph.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 5, Basic Driving, Hand-to-Hand Steering; Hand-Over-Hand Steering, pp. 5-2-5-4 (PDF pp. 55-57)
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More South Carolina practice
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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.
