South Carolina Driver License: Vision, Fatigue, Distraction, Alcohol and Drugs

29 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Vision, Fatigue, Distraction, Alcohol and Drugs. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver relies on corrective lenses to meet the vision standard. What happens if they drive without wearing them?

It is allowed for trips under 10 miles
It is allowed if they drive under 45 mph
It is allowed only during daytime
It is unlawful

Answer: D — It is unlawful

If lenses are needed to meet the vision standard, a restriction is added and driving without them is unlawful.

2. What is the minimum corrected vision standard a driver must meet?

20/20 corrected in both eyes
20/40 corrected in one eye
20/40 corrected in both eyes
20/70 corrected in one eye

Answer: B — 20/40 corrected in one eye

The standard requires no better than 20/40 corrected vision in one eye.

3. A driver who uses bioptic telescopic lenses wants to keep driving legally over the years. What must they do?

Retake the road test every year
File a low-vision screening form with Driver Improvement every year
Switch to standard corrective lenses after one year
Get a new license photo every year

Answer: B — File a low-vision screening form with Driver Improvement every year

Bioptic lens users must file a low-vision screening form with Driver Improvement annually.

4. A driver fails the vision screening device at the branch office. What happens next?

They must retake the branch test the same day
They are denied a license permanently
An eye-care professional's examination is required
They are automatically issued a restricted night-driving license

Answer: C — An eye-care professional's examination is required

Failing the branch vision test (or declining it) requires an eye-care professional's exam instead.

5. Someone wants to drive at night wearing dark or tinted lenses to reduce glare. What is the concern with this?

It cuts the light they need to see
It is only a problem above 55 mph
It is fine as long as the lenses are prescription
It only matters on unlit rural roads

Answer: A — It cuts the light they need to see

Dark or tinted lenses at night reduce the light a driver needs to see clearly.

6. A driver's vision improves after surgery and they no longer need their corrective-lens restriction. What must they do to remove it?

Submit a doctor's note by mail only
File a new certificate and renew to remove the restriction
Nothing, it is removed automatically at the next renewal
Wait five years before requesting removal

Answer: B — File a new certificate and renew to remove the restriction

Improved vision requires filing a new certificate and renewing to remove the restriction.

7. A driver has been awake for many hours and starts to feel drowsy behind the wheel on a long trip. What is the recommended response?

Open the window and drink coffee while continuing to drive
Turn up the radio and keep driving to the next town
Pull off at the next exit or rest area for a 15- to 20-minute nap or stop for the night
Switch to driving on back roads where there is less traffic

Answer: C — Pull off at the next exit or rest area for a 15- to 20-minute nap or stop for the night

Feeling tired means pulling off for a short nap or stopping for the night; rest is the only real cure.

8. How much sleep do most people need to be alert enough to drive safely?

7 to 9 hours
10 to 12 hours
4 to 5 hours
5 to 6 hours

Answer: A — 7 to 9 hours

Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep before a trip.

9. On a long road trip, about how often should a driver plan to stop and rest?

Every 50 miles or 1 hour
Every 200 miles or 4 hours
Every 100 miles or 2 hours
Only when fuel runs low

Answer: C — Every 100 miles or 2 hours

Drivers should plan to stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours.

10. What is described as the only real cure for driver fatigue?

Rest
Fresh air from an open window
Caffeine
Loud music

Answer: A — Rest

Rest is stated as the only real cure for fatigue.

11. A driver wants to hold their phone in one hand to read a text message while driving on a public road. Is this allowed?

No, but only during school hours
Yes, as long as it takes less than 10 seconds
Yes, as long as they only read and do not type
No, holding or supporting a device with any part of the body is not allowed on any public road

Answer: D — No, holding or supporting a device with any part of the body is not allowed on any public road

The Act bars a driver on any public road from physically holding or supporting a mobile device, and separately bars reading, writing or sending any text.

12. A driver wants to take a voice call using a wrist-worn smartwatch while driving. Is this permitted under the hands-free law?

Only if the car is parked
Only with a special permit
No, all device use while driving is banned
Yes, wrist-worn devices for voice calls are allowed

Answer: D — Yes, wrist-worn devices for voice calls are allowed

Earpieces and wrist-worn devices for voice calls are allowed under the hands-free law.

13. A driver is caught watching a video on their phone's mount while driving, their second such violation. What penalty applies?

License suspension only
$200 fine and two points
$50 fine and one point
$100 fine only

Answer: B — $200 fine and two points

A second or later offense costs $200 and two points.

14. What is the fine for a first offense under the hands-free and distracted driving law?

$150
$50
$100
$200

Answer: C — $100

A first offense costs $100.

15. A driver is arguing on the phone with a family member while driving, taking their mind off the road. What category of risk does this represent?

A distraction
Zero tolerance violation
Aggressive driving
Implied consent violation

Answer: A — A distraction

A distraction is anything that takes attention from driving, including emotional conversations.

16. A driver deliberately tailgates another car and swerves between lanes without signaling because they are running late. What is this behavior classified as?

Distracted driving
Impaired driving
Aggressive driving
Implied consent violation

Answer: C — Aggressive driving

Following too closely and unsafe lane changes without signaling are examples of aggressive driving.

17. A driver repeatedly ignores stop signs and railroad crossing signals to save time. This behavior is classified as what?

A minor distraction
Aggressive driving
An implied consent issue
Fatigue-related driving

Answer: B — Aggressive driving

Ignoring stop signs, signals, and railroad crossings is listed as aggressive driving.

18. Roughly what share of fatal crashes involve alcohol or impairing drugs?

About 10 percent
About 25 percent
About 60 percent
About 40 percent

Answer: D — About 40 percent

Alcohol and impairing drugs figure in about 40 percent of fatal crashes.

19. At what BAC does alcohol begin to affect vision for everyone?

0.05 percent
0.08 percent
0.02 percent
0.15 percent

Answer: C — 0.02 percent

Vision is affected starting at 0.02 percent BAC for everyone.

20. A driver under 21 is stopped and found to have a BAC of 0.02 percent. What is the immediate consequence?

A warning only
Suspension for at least one year
Suspension for at least three months
No action, since 0.02 is below the adult limit

Answer: C — Suspension for at least three months

A driver under 21 with a BAC of 0.02 or more is suspended immediately for at least three months.

21. A driver under 21 refuses a requested breath test after being suspected of impaired driving. What is the minimum suspension for this refusal?

Six months
One year
Three months
No suspension, only a fine

Answer: A — Six months

A driver under 21 who refuses testing is suspended for at least six months.

22. A driver has taken a prescription medication and shows signs of impaired driving at a BAC of 0.03 percent. Can they still be convicted of impaired driving?

No, because 0.03 is below any legal threshold
No, prescription drug cases are exempt from BAC rules
Yes, but only if they also refuse testing
Yes, conviction is possible at 0.05 or lower when drugs are involved

Answer: D — Yes, conviction is possible at 0.05 or lower when drugs are involved

A driver can be convicted of impaired driving at 0.05 or lower when drugs, including prescription medicine, are involved.

23. A driver is arrested for impaired driving and asked to submit to a breath test. Under implied consent, whose law governs the situation?

Federal law overrides state law in this case
The law of the state that issued the driver's license
The law of the state where the driver was arrested
Whichever state's law is more lenient

Answer: C — The law of the state where the driver was arrested

The law of the state where you are arrested applies, not the state that licensed you.

24. A licensed driver refuses a lawfully requested blood test after being suspected of impaired driving. What can happen as a result?

Nothing, refusal has no consequence
They are automatically acquitted of any DUI charge
They must retake the written knowledge test
Their license can be suspended

Answer: D — Their license can be suspended

Refusing implied-consent testing can suspend your license.

25. A driver takes an over-the-counter cold remedy before a trip. What effect should they watch for before driving?

Drowsiness
Heightened alertness
Improved color vision
Increased reaction speed

Answer: A — Drowsiness

Over-the-counter remedies for headaches, colds, allergies and nerves cause drowsiness.

26. Someone under 21 wants to buy or possess alcohol. What is the legal standing of this?

Legal with parental consent
Illegal
Legal only for possession, not purchase
Legal after passing a safety course

Answer: B — Illegal

Under 21 it is illegal to buy, possess or drink alcohol.

27. A driver feels extreme anger after an argument right before getting in the car. What is the recommended way to handle this before driving?

Drive faster to get home and calm down sooner
Turn on the radio loudly to distract from the emotion
Drive immediately since delay only increases stress
Take a walk or nap to cool off, or let someone else drive

Answer: D — Take a walk or nap to cool off, or let someone else drive

Extreme emotion should be managed with a cool-off period such as a walk or nap, or by letting someone else drive.

28. An older driver has recently needed several attempts to parallel park and has trouble judging how far away an approaching vehicle is. What does this combination of signs suggest?

It may be time to change driving habits or stop driving
It only indicates a need for new tires
It indicates a vision restriction should be removed
These are normal and require no action

Answer: A — It may be time to change driving habits or stop driving

Two or three such warning signs may mean it is time to change habits or stop driving.

29. An older driver's family notices slower judgment, dulled hearing, and growing scrapes and dents on the car. Who might refer the driver for a driving evaluation?

A driving school instructor only
A doctor
An insurance agent
A mechanic

Answer: B — A doctor

Warning signs are worth discussing with a doctor, who may refer the driver for an SCDMV or professional evaluation.