South Carolina Driver License: Turns, Intersections, Roundabouts, School Buses, Parking and Passing

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Turns, Intersections, Roundabouts, School Buses, Parking and Passing. Free, no account needed.

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1. A driver wants to turn right at an intersection. From what part of the lane should they make the turn, and how?

  1. From the center of the lane, swinging wide left before turning right
  2. From the right-most part of the lane, without swinging wide to the left first
  3. From the right-most part of the lane, finishing the turn in the far lane rather than the nearest one
  4. From the left-most part of the lane, yielding to oncoming traffic

Answer: B — From the right-most part of the lane, without swinging wide to the left first

Right turns are made from the right-most part of the lane without first swinging wide to the left, and the driver enters and holds the lane nearest the direction of the turn.

2. A driver is preparing to turn left at an intersection with oncoming traffic approaching. Where should the vehicle be positioned, and what must the driver do regarding the oncoming traffic?

  1. Left-most part of the lane, yielding to oncoming traffic
  2. Right-most part of the lane, and proceed without yielding
  3. Center of the lane, yielding only to pedestrians
  4. Left-most part of the lane, proceeding since left-turners have the right of way

Answer: A — Left-most part of the lane, yielding to oncoming traffic

Left turns are made from the left-most part of the lane, and the driver must yield to oncoming traffic.

3. An intersection has multiple lanes marked for turning in the same direction. After choosing one of them, what should a driver do?

  1. Pick and enter one lane and stay in it through the turn
  2. Move to whichever lane opens up fastest mid-turn
  3. Straddle two lanes to keep options open
  4. Merge into the lane to the right immediately after entering the intersection

Answer: A — Pick and enter one lane and stay in it through the turn

With multiple turn lanes, a driver should pick one lane and remain in it through the entire turn.

4. While performing the reverse version of a two-point turnabout, after backing until the rear bumper reaches the near edge of a driveway, what should the driver do next?

  1. Steer fully right while continuing to back slowly
  2. Steer fully left while backing quickly
  3. Stop and wait for oncoming traffic before moving again
  4. Straighten the wheel immediately and pull forward

Answer: A — Steer fully right while continuing to back slowly

After the rear bumper reaches the driveway's near edge, the driver steers fully right while backing slowly into the driveway.

5. A driver needs to reverse direction on a quiet two-lane road that is too narrow for a U-turn, with no way around the block and no street, alley or driveway to pull into. Which maneuver fits this situation?

  1. Circling the block regardless of traffic
  2. A three-point turnabout
  3. A forward two-point turnabout using a driveway
  4. A reverse two-point turnabout using an alley

Answer: B — A three-point turnabout

A three-point turnabout is the maneuver reserved for a quiet two-lane road too narrow for a U-turn with no way around the block; a two-point turnabout requires a street, alley or driveway, and on a busy street the driver circles the block instead.

6. During the reverse portion of a three-point turnabout, how should a driver check for traffic instead of relying on the mirror alone?

  1. By checking both blind spots over the shoulders
  2. By checking the left blind spot only, since the wheel is turned to the right
  3. By checking only the rearview mirror
  4. By checking only the side mirror on the turning side

Answer: A — By checking both blind spots over the shoulders

During the reverse portion of a three-point turnabout, the driver checks both blind spots over the shoulders rather than trusting the mirror alone.

7. In the forward version of a two-point turnabout, after signaling left and moving toward the center of the road, where should the driver turn into the driveway?

  1. As near the driveway's left side as possible
  2. As near the driveway's right side as possible
  3. Only far enough in that the rear of the vehicle stays in the travel lane
  4. Centered in the driveway, midway between its two sides

Answer: A — As near the driveway's left side as possible

In the forward two-point turnabout, the driver turns into the driveway as near its left side as possible and stops once the rear clears the curb.

8. After stopping at an intersection, in what order should a driver check for crossing traffic and bicyclists before proceeding?

  1. Straight ahead only, since side traffic must yield
  2. Left, right, and left again
  3. Right, then left
  4. Left only, since that is where cross traffic originates

Answer: B — Left, right, and left again

Drivers should look left, right and left again before proceeding through an intersection.

9. A traffic light turns green as a driver waits at an intersection. What should the driver do?

  1. Proceed immediately since the light has changed
  2. Move forward into the intersection and wait there until a gap opens
  3. Make sure the path is clear and the gap is big enough before moving up to speed
  4. Accelerate quickly to clear the intersection before cross traffic reacts

Answer: C — Make sure the path is clear and the gap is big enough before moving up to speed

A green light is not a guarantee of safety; the driver must not lunge forward, and must confirm the path is clear and the gap large enough before proceeding.

10. Another vehicle at an intersection has its turn signal on. What should a driver assume about it?

  1. The vehicle will definitely turn as signaled, so it is safe to turn in front of it
  2. The signal indicates the vehicle is about to stop
  3. The signal means the driver is yielding the right of way
  4. The signal cannot be trusted, since the driver may plan to turn after passing you or may have forgotten to cancel it

Answer: D — The signal cannot be trusted, since the driver may plan to turn after passing you or may have forgotten to cancel it

Never turn in front of a vehicle just because its signal is on: the driver may plan to turn after passing you, or may have simply forgotten to cancel it.

11. A driver approaches an intersection where the cross traffic has a stop sign. Whose driving can that driver actually control?

  1. Both drivers', since a posted sign legally binds everyone approaching the intersection
  2. Only their own, since some drivers will not yield and signs and signals cannot be relied on
  3. Neither driver's, because right-of-way rules settle the situation on their own
  4. The cross traffic's, once eye contact confirms the other driver has seen the stop sign

Answer: B — Only their own, since some drivers will not yield and signs and signals cannot be relied on

Drivers cannot rely on others to obey signs and signals; some will not yield, and a driver can only control their own driving.

12. At an interchange designed so left-turning vehicles never cross approaching through traffic, with cross-street traffic shifting to the left side between two signalized crossovers, what type of interchange is this?

  1. A roundabout
  2. A restricted crossing U-turn intersection
  3. A diverging diamond interchange
  4. A traditional cloverleaf interchange

Answer: C — A diverging diamond interchange

This directional-crossover design where left-turners never cross approaching through traffic is a diverging diamond interchange.

13. At an intersection where left and through movements from the side street have been removed, a driver instead turns right onto the main road and completes a U-turn at a one-way median opening. What is this design called?

  1. A restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection
  2. A standard four-way stop
  3. A traffic circle
  4. A diverging diamond interchange

Answer: A — A restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT) intersection

This design, which removes left and through movements from the side street and routes drivers through a right turn and U-turn, is a restricted crossing U-turn intersection.

14. Entering a roundabout, which direction does traffic travel around the raised center island?

  1. Whichever direction has less traffic
  2. Counterclockwise
  3. Clockwise
  4. Direction depends on which lane you entered from

Answer: B — Counterclockwise

Roundabouts carry traffic counterclockwise around the raised center island.

15. Why are roundabouts considered safer than standard intersections?

  1. They eliminate the need for turn signals
  2. They eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions
  3. They allow higher speeds through the intersection
  4. They remove the need for drivers to yield

Answer: B — They eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions

Roundabouts are safer because they eliminate head-on and high-speed right-angle collisions.

16. A driver is on a two-lane highway and a school bus ahead is stopped with its red lights flashing. What must the driver do?

  1. Slow down and pass carefully since it is a two-lane road
  2. Proceed if no stop arm is extended
  3. Stop only if children are visible near the bus
  4. Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing or the bus moves

Answer: D — Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing or the bus moves

On any two-lane highway a driver must stop for the whole time a school bus is stopped with red lights flashing, and behind the bus may not proceed until it moves or the red lights stop flashing.

17. A driver is on a four-lane highway traveling behind a school bus that stops with its red lights flashing. What is required?

  1. The driver only needs to slow down, not stop
  2. The driver must stop and may not proceed until the bus moves or the red lights stop flashing
  3. The driver may pass slowly since it is a multi-lane highway
  4. The driver must stop only if there are fewer than two lanes in each direction

Answer: B — The driver must stop and may not proceed until the bus moves or the red lights stop flashing

Behind a stopped bus, a driver always stops and may not proceed until the bus moves or the red lights stop flashing, including on a multi-lane highway.

18. A driver is meeting a school bus from the opposite direction on a road with four lanes, at least two in each direction, and the bus has its red lights flashing. Must the driver stop?

  1. Yes, but only until the stop arm retracts
  2. No, because it is a multi-lane highway and the bus is being met from the opposite direction
  3. Yes, always, regardless of road type
  4. No, but only if the bus is in a designated loading zone

Answer: B — No, because it is a multi-lane highway and the bus is being met from the opposite direction

A driver need not stop when meeting a school bus from the opposite direction on a multi-lane highway with at least two lanes in each direction.

19. What color flashing lights on a school bus require traffic to stop?

  1. Red or amber
  2. Red only
  3. Red or blue
  4. Amber only

Answer: A — Red or amber

Traffic must stop for a school bus with red or amber lights flashing.

20. How far from the curb or pavement edge, at most, should a vehicle be parked?

  1. 6 inches
  2. 24 inches
  3. 12 inches
  4. 18 inches

Answer: D — 18 inches

A vehicle must be parked no more than 18 inches from the curb or pavement edge.

21. A car displays a disability placard, but the person named on the vehicle's registration is not in the car. Can the driver use a disability parking space?

  1. No, disability spaces may never be used by placard holders, only permanent plates
  2. Yes, as long as the named person is the registered owner of the vehicle
  3. Yes, since the placard is on the vehicle regardless of who is driving
  4. No, the space may be used only when driven by or carrying the person named on the registration

Answer: D — No, the space may be used only when driven by or carrying the person named on the registration

Disability spaces may be used only when the vehicle is driven by or carrying the person named on the registration.

22. A car is parked facing downhill on a street with a curb, and it is not on the left side of a one-way street. Which way should the wheels be turned?

  1. Straight ahead
  2. Toward the center of the street
  3. Left, away from the curb
  4. Right, toward the curb

Answer: D — Right, toward the curb

Parked facing downhill with a curb, wheels are turned right, toward the curb, except on the left side of a one-way street.

23. A car is parked facing uphill on a street that has a curb. How should the wheels be positioned?

  1. Left straight, relying on the parking brake alone
  2. Turned right so the car rolls toward the curb
  3. Turned toward the center of the street, with the back of the front tire against the curb
  4. Turned right so the car rolls off the road

Answer: C — Turned toward the center of the street, with the back of the front tire against the curb

Facing uphill with a curb, the wheels are turned toward the center of the street with the back of the front tire against the curb.

24. To leave a parallel parking space, what should a driver do before signaling and moving forward into the lane?

  1. Shift directly into the lane without checking mirrors
  2. Pull straight forward toward the car ahead
  3. Back up as far as possible toward the car behind
  4. Turn the wheels sharply toward the curb and wait

Answer: C — Back up as far as possible toward the car behind

When leaving a parallel space, the driver first backs up as far as possible toward the car behind before signaling and pulling out.

25. A driver is entering a multi-lane highway from an on-ramp. What should be used to reach the speed of highway traffic before merging?

  1. The deceleration lane
  2. The acceleration lane
  3. The shoulder
  4. The left-most passing lane

Answer: B — The acceleration lane

The acceleration lane beside the roadway is used to reach traffic speed before merging onto a multi-lane highway.

26. Before pulling out to pass another vehicle, how far in advance should a driver signal?

  1. At least 200 feet
  2. At least 50 feet
  3. Signaling is not required if the lane is clear
  4. At least 100 feet

Answer: D — At least 100 feet

A driver should signal at least 100 feet before pulling out to pass.

27. Traffic on a multi-lane road is heavy and a driver is tempted to use the shoulder to get around slower vehicles. Is this allowed?

  1. Yes, but only below a certain speed
  2. Yes, if no emergency vehicles are present
  3. Yes, if the shoulder is paved
  4. No, the shoulder is an emergency stopping lane and passing there is not allowed

Answer: D — No, the shoulder is an emergency stopping lane and passing there is not allowed

Passing on the shoulder, paved or not, is never allowed since it is an emergency stopping lane.

28. While passing another vehicle, at what point should a driver signal and begin returning to the original lane?

  1. As soon as the front bumpers are even
  2. Once the entire front of the passed vehicle shows in the mirror
  3. Immediately after signaling to pull out
  4. Only after the passed vehicle flashes its lights

Answer: B — Once the entire front of the passed vehicle shows in the mirror

A driver should continue passing until the entire front of the passed vehicle shows in the mirror before signaling and returning.

29. A 'lane closed ahead' sign appears and traffic backs up in heavy, slow conditions. What is the recommended approach for merging?

  1. Merge into the open lane as early as possible
  2. Speed up to merge ahead of other vehicles before the backup starts
  3. Stay in your lane to the merge point and take turns easing into the open lane
  4. Straddle both lanes until forced to choose

Answer: C — Stay in your lane to the merge point and take turns easing into the open lane

In heavy, backed-up traffic, drivers should stay in their lane to the merge point and take turns alternating into the open lane.

30. By how much can the zipper merge shorten backups compared to early merging?

  1. Up to 10 percent
  2. Up to 60 percent
  3. Up to 25 percent
  4. Up to 40 percent

Answer: D — Up to 40 percent

The zipper merge shortens backups by up to 40 percent compared to early merging.

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