Free South Carolina Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official South Carolina driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 4
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 3
- Safe Driving — 3
- Sharing the Road — 3
- Emergencies & Crashes — 2
- Signaling & Communication — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (4 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. A regulatory sign that is a white rectangle taller than it is wide is typically a:
- Speed limit or other traffic law
- Service sign
- Warning
- Guide sign
Show answer
Answer: Speed limit or other traffic law
Vertical white rectangles are regulatory — like a speed-limit sign.
2. If you break down at night, you should:
- Sleep in the road
- Turn on hazards and, if safe, set out warning devices
- Stand in the roadway
- Leave the lights off to save battery
Show answer
Answer: Turn on hazards and, if safe, set out warning devices
Use hazard lights and warning devices, and stay clear of traffic.
3. Good drivers keep their eyes:
- Moving — scanning far ahead, mirrors, and to the sides
- Closed briefly
- Fixed on the car ahead
- On their phone
Show answer
Answer: Moving — scanning far ahead, mirrors, and to the sides
Keep your eyes moving; scan far ahead and check mirrors regularly to spot hazards early.
4. Escaping a car sinking in water, you should try to exit through the:
- Trunk
- Sunroof after it fills
- Window, before the car fully sinks
- Engine bay
Show answer
Answer: Window, before the car fully sinks
Open or break a window and get out early; doors are hard to open against water.
5. Pets and passengers in the car should:
- Control the radio only
- Be secured/managed so they don't distract you
- Sit on your lap
- Be allowed to distract you
Show answer
Answer: Be secured/managed so they don't distract you
Manage passengers and secure pets so they don't take your attention off driving.
6. You come up behind a vehicle displaying an orange triangle emblem. You should:
- Tailgate it
- Pass immediately on any side
- Slow down — it is a slow-moving vehicle traveling under 25 MPH
- Honk to make it speed up
Show answer
Answer: Slow down — it is a slow-moving vehicle traveling under 25 MPH
The orange triangle marks a slow-moving vehicle (under 25 MPH). Slow down and pass only when safe.
7. Besides turning, you must also signal when you:
- Only on highways
- Change lanes or pull away from a curb
- Never otherwise
- Only at night
Show answer
Answer: Change lanes or pull away from a curb
Signal for lane changes, merging, and pulling away from a curb — anytime you change your path.
8. A red arrow turning to a flashing yellow arrow means you may:
- Turn without yielding
- Never turn
- Stop permanently
- Turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: Turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow permits the turn once you yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
9. A large truck needs to turn left. Compared to a car it needs:
- More room, and may swing wide
- No special room
- To back up first
- Less room
Show answer
Answer: More room, and may swing wide
Trucks need extra room for turns and may swing wide; give them space.
10. A good habit for a safe following distance is to:
- Use only brake lights
- Pick a fixed point and count 3–4 seconds behind the car ahead
- Match the car's bumper
- Tailgate to save time
Show answer
Answer: Pick a fixed point and count 3–4 seconds behind the car ahead
Count 3–4 seconds from when the car ahead passes a marker until you reach it.
11. In a two-lane roundabout, you should choose your lane based on:
- Always the left
- The car ahead
- Your car color
- Where you plan to exit (signs show which lane for which exit)
Show answer
Answer: Where you plan to exit (signs show which lane for which exit)
Use lane-choice signs before the roundabout to pick the correct lane for your exit.
12. The best way to avoid driving impaired is to:
- Drive slowly
- Roll the windows down
- Drink coffee first
- Plan ahead — use a designated driver, rideshare, or don't drink
Show answer
Answer: Plan ahead — use a designated driver, rideshare, or don't drink
Decide before you drink: a sober driver, a ride, or don't drink at all.
13. In any condition that reduces visibility, the first thing to do is:
- Turn on high beams
- Change lanes
- Slow down
- Speed up to clear it
Show answer
Answer: Slow down
Reduced visibility means reduce speed first.
14. A center lane marked with a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line on each side is used for:
- Parking
- Making left turns only (from either direction)
- Through driving
- Passing slower traffic
Show answer
Answer: Making left turns only (from either direction)
This is a two-way left-turn lane — used only to make left turns from either direction, never for through travel or passing.
15. A pedestrian steps off the curb into the crosswalk against a 'Walk' signal as you turn. You must:
- Speed up
- Honk
- Proceed
- Yield and let them cross safely
Show answer
Answer: Yield and let them cross safely
Yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk, even while you're turning.
16. You must yield to pedestrians:
- Never
- Only at signals
- Only downtown
- In marked and unmarked crosswalks
Show answer
Answer: In marked and unmarked crosswalks
Yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
17. In fog, you should use:
- Hazard lights only while moving
- No lights
- High beams
- Low beams
Show answer
Answer: Low beams
Use low beams in fog — high beams reflect back and reduce visibility.
18. If you encounter a horse and rider on the road, you should:
- Flash your lights
- Slow down, give room, and pass gently to avoid spooking the animal
- Speed past
- Honk to move them
Show answer
Answer: Slow down, give room, and pass gently to avoid spooking the animal
Be patient and quiet around horses; slow down and give plenty of room.
19. A diamond-shaped sign with a truck on a downhill grade warns of:
- A truck stop
- A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
- A weigh station
- A no-truck zone
Show answer
Answer: A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
It warns of a steep downgrade; watch for slow-moving trucks.
20. A blue sign with a fork-and-knife or bed symbol indicates:
- A rest stop closed
- A warning
- A hospital only
- Food or lodging services nearby
Show answer
Answer: Food or lodging services nearby
Blue service signs use symbols for food, lodging, gas, and other services.