Key South Carolina facts: Traffic Signals
On horizontal traffic lights, red is on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right. Section 6, Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals, pp. 6-2-6-3 (PDF pp. 61-62) If there is a stop line before a crosswalk, obey the stop line first. Section 6, Rules of the Road, Crosswalks and Stop Lines, p. 6-15 (PDF p. 74) Endangering a highway worker in a work zone can bring a fine and points on your driving record. Section 6, Rules of the Road, Work Zone Signs, p. 6-9 (PDF p. 68) Work zone signs apply until an End Road Work sign appears. Section 11, Special Driving Situations, Work Zones, p. 11-4 (PDF p. 129) In a zipper merge, when traffic backs up before a lane closure, stay in your lane until the merge point and then take turns merging. Section 7, General Driving, Zipper Merge (Late Merge), p. 7-17 (PDF p. 92) Sample Traffic Signals questions
A train has just passed the crossing ahead. When may you start across?
Once it is well down the track or the signals clear When the car in the next lane starts across As soon as the last railcar passes the road While the crossing gates are still going up Show the answer
Once it is well down the track or the signals clear
Wait until the train is well down the track or the lights and gates show it is safe to cross.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6, Rules of the Road, Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, p. 6-7 (PDF p. 66)
On a traffic light mounted sideways, where is the red light?
On the right On the left In the middle On the top Show the answer
On the left
Horizontal signals show red on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6, Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals, pp. 6-2-6-3 (PDF pp. 61-62)
How should you cross railroad tracks when no train is coming?
Stop on the tracks to look and listen for trains Cross slowly in neutral to keep the engine quiet Shift to a lower gear while on the tracks Look both ways and cross quickly without stopping Show the answer
Look both ways and cross quickly without stopping
Do not stop on the tracks. Check both ways and cross promptly.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6, Rules of the Road, Railroad Crossing Warning Signs, p. 6-7 (PDF p. 66)
Which of these counts as a traffic control device?
A neighbor waving from a yard A school crossing guard's directions A billboard beside the highway A car parked along the curb Show the answer
A school crossing guard's directions
Directions from police, highway personnel and school crossing guards are traffic control devices, along with signs, signals and markings.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6, Rules of the Road, Traffic Control Devices, p. 6-2 (PDF p. 61)
An intersection has a stop line painted before the crosswalk. Where do you stop?
In the crosswalk At the stop line Past the crosswalk Wherever you can see best Show the answer
At the stop line
When both are present, the stop line must be obeyed first.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6, Rules of the Road, Crosswalks and Stop Lines, p. 6-15 (PDF p. 74)
How long should you follow the posted work zone signs?
Only for the first mile Until you no longer see workers Only during daytime hours Until you see an End Road Work sign Show the answer
Until you see an End Road Work sign
Keep obeying the work zone signs until the End Road Work sign.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 11, Special Driving Situations, Work Zones, p. 11-4 (PDF p. 129)
A lane ahead is closed, but traffic is moving at highway speed with no backup. What should you do?
Stop at the merge point Speed up past the others Move to the open lane sooner Stay in the closing lane to the end Show the answer
Move to the open lane sooner
Late merging is for backed-up traffic; at normal speed, move into the lane that stays open early.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 7, General Driving, Zipper Merge (Late Merge), p. 7-18 (PDF p. 93)
What can happen if you endanger a highway worker in a work zone?
A fine and points on your record Only a verbal warning A small parking ticket Nothing if no one is hurt Show the answer
A fine and points on your record
Endangering a highway worker can lead to a fine and points against your driving record.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 6, Rules of the Road, Work Zone Signs, p. 6-9 (PDF p. 68)
By how much can zipper merging shorten a traffic backup?
By about 5 percent By as much as 40 percent By about 90 percent By about 15 percent Show the answer
By as much as 40 percent
Zipper merging also reduces speed differences between lanes and road rage.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 7, General Driving, Zipper Merge (Late Merge), p. 7-17 (PDF p. 92)
Is the zipper merge required by South Carolina law?
Yes, in work zones only No, it is a recommended practice Yes, for trucks only Yes, on all roads Show the answer
No, it is a recommended practice
The law does not require it, but it is a best practice, especially when a work zone closes a lane.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual, Section 7, General Driving, Zipper Merge (Late Merge), p. 7-17 (PDF p. 92)
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More South Carolina practice
Full practice test All topics, as in the knowledge test Road Signs What signs mean and what to do when you see them 90 questions, 12 on South Carolina rules Right-of-Way Who goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts 39 questions, 12 on South Carolina rules Lanes & Turns Lane markings, turns, passing and merging 34 questions, 12 on South Carolina rules Speed Limits Limits and how to adjust your speed 21 questions, 10 on South Carolina rules Parking Curb colors, hills and where you can't park 29 questions, 10 on South Carolina rules Safe Driving Following distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road 67 questions, 24 on South Carolina rules Alcohol & Drugs Blood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication 29 questions, 15 on South Carolina rules Emergencies Breakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings 31 questions, 14 on South Carolina rules License Rules Permits, restrictions for new drivers and points 31 questions, 31 on South Carolina rules Insurance & Collisions Required coverage and what to do after a crash 21 questions, 11 on South Carolina rules Phones & Distraction Phone rules and other distractions 18 questions, 11 on South Carolina rules
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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.
