South Carolina Driver License: Sharing the Road, Trucks, Traffic Stops and the Move-Over Law

30 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Sharing the Road, Trucks, Traffic Stops and the Move-Over Law. Free, no account needed.

1. A pedestrian is crossing in a crosswalk that has no painted lines on the pavement. Must you yield?

No, you must yield only where the crosswalk is painted
Only if a school zone sign is posted nearby
Only if the pedestrian is using a white cane
Yes, you must yield in any crosswalk, marked or unmarked

Answer: D — Yes, you must yield in any crosswalk, marked or unmarked

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in any crosswalk, marked or unmarked, including mid-block crossings.

2. A pedestrian using a white cane is about to cross the street ahead of you. What is required?

Come to a complete stop
Slow down and proceed with caution
Yield only if they are in a marked crosswalk
Honk once to alert them, then proceed

Answer: A — Come to a complete stop

A complete stop, not just slowing, is required for a pedestrian guided by a dog or carrying a white cane.

3. Your light turns green, but a pedestrian is still standing in the intersection ahead. What should you do?

Proceed only if the pedestrian waves you through
Proceed carefully since you have the right of way
Wait for the pedestrian to run the rest of the way
Yield to the pedestrian

Answer: D — Yield to the pedestrian

A green light does not override the duty to yield to a pedestrian already in the intersection.

4. You are stopped at a red light preparing to turn right and notice a pedestrian nearby. What should you do?

Be ready to yield to the pedestrian
Turn immediately since right turns on red are permitted
Only yield if the pedestrian has already stepped into the crosswalk
Proceed since pedestrians must yield to turning traffic

Answer: A — Be ready to yield to the pedestrian

Drivers turning right on red must be ready to yield to any pedestrian nearby.

5. How does traffic law treat a bicyclist riding on the road?

As a pedestrian with the right of way at all crossings
As a vehicle with the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as other vehicles
As having no formal status under traffic law
As a vehicle only when riding in a designated bike lane

Answer: B — As a vehicle with the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as other vehicles

Bicycles are classified as vehicles with the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as other traffic.

6. Under what circumstance may a driver drive a car onto a bike lane?

Only during daylight hours
To enter or leave an alley or driveway, on official duty, under police direction, or in an emergency
Never, under any circumstance
Anytime to pass slow-moving cyclists

Answer: B — To enter or leave an alley or driveway, on official duty, under police direction, or in an emergency

Driving on a bike lane is restricted to specific exceptions such as entering/leaving an alley or driveway, official duty, police direction, or emergencies.

7. A cyclist is passing through an intersection where you intend to turn. What should you do?

Sound your horn so the rider speeds up
Let the rider clear the intersection before turning
Turn only if the rider has stopped completely
Turn ahead of the rider if your signal is on

Answer: B — Let the rider clear the intersection before turning

Drivers should allow a cyclist to clear the intersection before turning.

8. A cyclist ahead extends their left arm bent downward. What are they signaling?

A right turn
A hazard on the road
A stop
A left turn

Answer: C — A stop

A left arm bent down is the hand signal for stopping.

9. You are parked along a street and about to open your car door into traffic. What should you do first?

Signal with hazard lights before opening
Open the door slowly since cyclists must watch for you
Check only your side mirror
Check beside and behind for riders before opening the door

Answer: D — Check beside and behind for riders before opening the door

Drivers must check beside and behind for cyclists before opening a door into the street.

10. You are driving near a cyclist and are not at risk of a collision. Should you use your horn to get their attention?

No, avoid the horn unless a collision threatens, since it can startle a rider into your path
Yes, but only a single short tap
No, horns should never be used around cyclists under any circumstance
Yes, always to make your presence clear

Answer: A — No, avoid the horn unless a collision threatens, since it can startle a rider into your path

The horn should be avoided around cyclists except when a collision threatens, because startling a rider can push them into your path.

11. There is a wide lane and a motorcyclist ahead of you. Is it acceptable to share the lane with the rider to pass?

Yes, if you signal first
Only if the motorcyclist moves to the side
No, give the rider the full lane width and never share it
Yes, if there is enough room

Answer: C — No, give the rider the full lane width and never share it

Motorcyclists must be given the full lane width; drivers should never share the lane with them.

12. A motorcyclist ahead has a turn signal flashing but hasn't changed position. What should you assume?

The rider is definitely about to turn
The rider intends to change lanes immediately
Do not assume a turn is coming; motorcycle signals may not self-cancel
The rider's signal is broken and should be ignored

Answer: C — Do not assume a turn is coming; motorcycle signals may not self-cancel

Motorcycle signals may not self-cancel, so a flashing signal does not guarantee an imminent turn.

13. How much following distance should you keep behind a motorcyclist, increasing it when the road is wet?

Six seconds
Two seconds
Four seconds
Three seconds

Answer: C — Four seconds

Drivers should follow a motorcycle by at least four seconds, more in wet conditions.

14. Roughly how many car-truck collisions occur each year?

About 100,000
More than 250,000
About 1,000,000
About 25,000

Answer: B — More than 250,000

More than 250,000 car-truck collisions happen each year.

15. While driving alongside a large truck, you cannot see the driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

The mirror is angled incorrectly
The truck is about to change lanes
You are following too closely
The driver cannot see you

Answer: D — The driver cannot see you

If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the mirror, the driver cannot see your vehicle either.

16. About how far does a loaded truck traveling 55 mph need to come to a stop under ideal conditions?

335 feet
500 feet
150 feet
200 feet

Answer: A — 335 feet

A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 335 feet to stop under ideal conditions.

17. How far can the no-zone behind a large truck extend?

Up to 50 feet
Up to 200 feet
Up to 400 feet
Up to 100 feet

Answer: B — Up to 200 feet

The rear no-zone behind a large truck extends up to 200 feet.

18. A truck ahead signals a right turn. What might it do before actually turning?

Turn sharply from the right lane without warning
Stop completely and wait for cross traffic
Swing wide to the left first
Move into the left lane and turn left instead

Answer: C — Swing wide to the left first

A truck or bus turning right may first swing wide to the left, so drivers should not try to squeeze between it and the curb.

19. You are driving up a steep hill and see large trucks crawling in the right lane at about what speed?

25 mph
35 mph
45 mph
15 mph

Answer: B — 35 mph

On steep hills, large vehicles crawl at about 35 mph in the right lane.

20. You are meeting a large truck head-on on a narrow two-lane road. What should you do?

Flash your high beams and hold your position
Keep far right to avoid a sideswipe and lessen wind turbulence
Speed up to pass the truck quickly
Move toward the center line to give the truck room

Answer: B — Keep far right to avoid a sideswipe and lessen wind turbulence

Keeping far right when meeting a truck head-on avoids a sideswipe and lessens the wind turbulence that pushes vehicles apart.

21. An ambulance with lights and siren active is approaching from behind. What should you do?

Pull to the edge of the road so it can pass, without blocking intersections, roads or driveways
Move to the center lane and slow down
Stop immediately in your lane
Speed up to clear the intersection first

Answer: A — Pull to the edge of the road so it can pass, without blocking intersections, roads or driveways

Drivers must yield to an active emergency vehicle by pulling to the edge of the road while not blocking intersections, roads, or driveways.

22. An officer signals you to pull over. After stopping safely, what should you do?

Keep the engine running in case you need to move
Turn off the ignition and radio, turn on hazard flashers, and stay in the vehicle unless told to get out
Get out immediately to speak with the officer
Reach for your documents right away so the officer doesn't wait

Answer: B — Turn off the ignition and radio, turn on hazard flashers, and stay in the vehicle unless told to get out

After stopping, drivers should turn off the ignition and radio, activate hazards, and remain in the vehicle unless instructed otherwise.

23. You are pulled over by police and there is a firearm in the vehicle. What should you do?

Hide it from view to avoid alarming the officer
Report every weapon in the vehicle at first contact
Say nothing unless asked directly
Only mention it if the officer searches the vehicle

Answer: B — Report every weapon in the vehicle at first contact

Every weapon in the vehicle must be reported to the officer at first contact.

24. In South Carolina, are you required to sign a traffic ticket issued by an officer?

No, but only if you plead not guilty on the spot
Yes, but only for moving violations
Yes, refusal always leads to arrest
No, you are not required to sign one

Answer: D — No, you are not required to sign one

South Carolina does not require drivers to sign a ticket, unlike some other states where refusal can lead to arrest.

25. An officer has probable cause to believe a crime was committed involving your vehicle. Can they search it without a warrant?

Yes, an officer with probable cause may search the vehicle without a warrant
Only after you are placed under arrest
No, a warrant is always required
Only if you consent verbally

Answer: A — Yes, an officer with probable cause may search the vehicle without a warrant

An officer with probable cause that a crime was committed may search the vehicle without a warrant.

26. During a traffic stop you become frightened and think about driving away. What does the manual say about running from police?

Keep driving until you reach a well-lit public place, then stop
Never run — the consequences far exceed any ticket
Running is a minor offense next to the ticket you would have gotten
It is understandable if you believe the stop is not legitimate

Answer: B — Never run — the consequences far exceed any ticket

Running from a stop should never be done, since chases cause deadly crashes and far outweigh the consequences of any ticket.

27. You are approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights flashing on the shoulder of a multi-lane road, and traffic allows a safe lane change. What does the Move-Over law require?

Stop completely until it moves
Change into a lane away from it, or slow and proceed with caution if a lane change is unsafe
Flash your headlights and pass closely
Slow down and proceed with caution in your current lane

Answer: B — Change into a lane away from it, or slow and proceed with caution if a lane change is unsafe

When it is safe, drivers must move over into a lane away from a stopped authorized emergency vehicle; only if that is unsafe should they slow and proceed with caution instead.

28. You see a fluorescent orange and red triangle on the back of a piece of farm equipment. What does it indicate?

The vehicle is stopped permanently
The vehicle has the right of way at all intersections
The vehicle is wider than normal
The vehicle travels under 25 mph

Answer: D — The vehicle travels under 25 mph

The orange and red triangle marks a vehicle that travels under 25 mph.

29. You are approaching farm machinery from behind on a rural highway. Why might the operator not react to your presence?

The operator probably cannot hear you over the machine
The operator is focused on crossing traffic
The equipment has no mirrors
The operator is required to watch only the road ahead

Answer: A — The operator probably cannot hear you over the machine

Farm machinery operators likely cannot hear an approaching vehicle over the sound of the machine.

30. You want to pass a horse-drawn buggy on a rural road. What should you avoid doing?

Passing with caution
Honking or revving your engine, which can spook the animal
Slowing down before passing
Watching for left turns into fields or driveways

Answer: B — Honking or revving your engine, which can spook the animal

Drivers should never honk or rev the engine near animal-drawn vehicles, since it can spook the animal.