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The hardest South Carolina DMV test questions

These are the questions people miss most often when practising for the South Carolina knowledge test on PermitLingo, ranked by the share of wrong answers. Each one shows the correct answer, an explanation and the handbook source.

Practise these questions Based on 110 answers, updated daily.

  1. #1 · 29% answered wrong (7 answers)

    This sign means:

    1. A U.S. route, not an Interstate
    2. An Interstate Highway route
    3. A route through a school zone
    4. A route for trucks only

    Answer: A. Black numbers on a white U.S. shield mark a U.S. numbered route, not an Interstate.

    Source: DC DMV Driver Manual, p. 56United States Numbered Routes (other than interstate routes) are marked with a sign of black numbers on a white background of the familiar U.S. shield.

  2. #2 · 20% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A yellow diamond sign showing a straight arrow with a line curving into it from the right means:

    1. Merging traffic entering from the right
    2. Right lane ends
    3. Right turn only
    4. Detour to the right

    Answer: A. Traffic will be merging into your lane from the right. Adjust your speed to let it merge.

    Source: NY Driver's Manual: Road Signs You Must Know

  3. #3 · 20% answered wrong (5 answers)

    In a car with an airbag, where should you hold the steering wheel?

    1. At 12 o'clock with one hand
    2. At 10 and 2 o'clock
    3. At the bottom only
    4. At 9 and 3 o'clock

    Answer: D. Hold the wheel at about 9 and 3 o'clock so the airbag does not throw your hands into your face.

    Source: NY Driver's Manual, ch. 8 (Defensive Driving)Place your hands on the opposite sides of the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions

  4. #4 · 20% answered wrong (5 answers)

    When does the new, lower speed limit begin after a Reduced Speed Ahead sign?

    1. Right at the Reduced Speed Ahead sign
    2. One mile after the yellow warning sign
    3. At the next speed limit sign
    4. When the road surface changes

    Answer: C. The warning sign only gives notice; the new limit starts at the next speed limit sign.

    Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual, p. 45The new speed limit begins at the next speed limit sign.

  5. #5 · 20% answered wrong (5 answers)

    Why are detour signs posted?

    1. To mark the shortest route to a highway
    2. To guide you around a closed road or work zone
    3. To show where parking is allowed
    4. To warn of a speed limit change

    Answer: B. Detour signs lead traffic around a closure and back to the original road.

    Source: Massachusetts RMV Driver's Manual (rev. April 2026), p. 96In some cases, road work requires full closure of travel lanes in one direction, or an entire road closure.

  6. #6 · 14% answered wrong (7 answers)

    A yellow diamond sign showing two opposing arrows with a divider that ends means:

    1. Road closed
    2. Keep right
    3. Divided highway ends
    4. No U-turn

    Answer: C. The divided highway ends ahead; traffic will soon be in both directions without a median.

    Source: NY Driver's Manual: Road Signs You Must Know

  7. #7 · 0% answered wrong (7 answers)

    A yellow diamond sign showing a red octagon and an arrow means:

    1. Stop here
    2. Stop for school buses
    3. Road closed
    4. Stop sign ahead — be ready to stop

    Answer: D. A stop sign is ahead, possibly hidden by a curve or hill.

    Source: MUTCD sign meanings (as taught in state driver handbooks)

  8. #8 · 0% answered wrong (7 answers)

    A yellow-green diamond sign with a school bus symbol means:

    1. School zone speed limit begins
    2. Buses are not allowed on this road
    3. Bus-only lane starts ahead
    4. A school bus stop is ahead

    Answer: D. The sign warns that a school bus stops ahead to pick up or drop off children.

    Source: Road signs (MUTCD)

  9. #9 · 0% answered wrong (6 answers)

    A white sign reading DO NOT PASS means:

    1. You may not pass other vehicles on this stretch of road
    2. Do not stop here
    3. Trucks may not pass
    4. Pass only on the right

    Answer: A. Passing is not allowed where this sign is posted.

    Source: MUTCD sign meanings (as taught in state driver handbooks)

  10. #10 · 0% answered wrong (6 answers)

    A parking space has this blue sign. Who may park there?

    1. Anyone for up to 15 minutes
    2. Anyone if the lot is nearly empty
    3. Vehicles with a disability permit
    4. Only vehicles that carry passengers

    Answer: C. Spaces with this sign are reserved for vehicles with disability plates or permits.

    Source: Minnesota Driver's Manual (02/2019), p. 62Parking spaces with blue handicapped parking signs are reserved for vehicles with disability license plates or a disability parking permit.

  11. #11 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    You are turning left on a green light and people are in the crosswalk. You must:

    1. Stop and let them finish crossing
    2. Go before they reach your lane
    3. Honk to warn them to hurry
    4. Speed up to clear the crosswalk

    Answer: A. A pedestrian in a crosswalk has the right of way, so a turning driver stops until the crosswalk is clear.

    Source: Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026), p. 95You must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian within a crosswalk, stopping if necessary.

  12. #12 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    This sign means:

    1. Deer may cross the road
    2. Cattle may be crossing the road
    3. A farm is closed ahead
    4. Slow farm vehicles ahead

    Answer: B. The cow symbol warns that livestock may be crossing, so slow down and be ready to stop.

    Source: Road signs (MUTCD)

  13. #13 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    This sign means:

    1. The bridge ahead is closed to trucks
    2. The road ahead has a one-way bridge for buses
    3. The bridge ahead has only one lane for both directions
    4. The right lane of the bridge is closed

    Answer: C. One Lane Bridge warns that traffic from both directions shares a single lane on the bridge.

    Source: Road signs (MUTCD)

  14. #14 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    On a road with marked lanes, you should:

    1. Drive on the lane line so others see you
    2. Keep your vehicle within one lane except when changing lanes
    3. Use two lanes when traffic is light
    4. Drive partly on the shoulder when the road is busy

    Answer: B. Stay within your lane lines. Do not drive partly in one lane and partly in another except while changing lanes.

    Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks (DC, WV, IN)Drive within these lines and never straddle them, except when changing lanes.

  15. #15 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A steady red X signal is lit above a lane. What does it mean?

    1. Do not drive in that lane
    2. You may use the lane with caution
    3. The lane is for left turns only
    4. Move into that lane as soon as possible

    Answer: A. A red X over a lane means you must not use it — traffic may be coming the other way in that lane.

    Source: Rule common to state driver handbooks (DC, HI, ME, OK, WV)The Red "X" means you must not use that lane because the lane is being used by traffic proceeding in the opposite direction.

  16. #16 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A yellow diamond sign showing a vertical line with a short line joining from the right means:

    1. Right lane ends
    2. Merge right
    3. Right turn only
    4. Side road enters from the right ahead

    Answer: D. A side road joins from the right; watch for vehicles entering.

    Source: MUTCD sign meanings (as taught in state driver handbooks)

  17. #17 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A yellow diamond sign with an arrow that bends to the right means:

    1. Curve to the right ahead
    2. Turn right now
    3. Right lane ends
    4. Keep right

    Answer: A. The road curves to the right ahead; slow down before the curve.

    Source: MUTCD sign meanings (as taught in state driver handbooks)

  18. #18 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A yellow diamond sign showing a walking person means:

    1. Watch for pedestrians crossing
    2. Pedestrians must not cross
    3. Sidewalk ends
    4. Hiking trail ahead

    Answer: A. Pedestrians may be crossing ahead; slow down and be ready to yield.

    Source: MUTCD sign meanings (as taught in state driver handbooks)

  19. #19 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A white rectangular sign showing a divider with an arrow passing on its right side means:

    1. Keep right of the divider
    2. Lane ends
    3. Turn right
    4. Do not pass

    Answer: A. Keep to the right of the traffic island or divider.

    Source: NY Driver's Manual: Road Signs You Must Know

  20. #20 · 0% answered wrong (5 answers)

    A downward-pointing triangle sign means:

    1. Stop
    2. Yield
    3. Merge
    4. Curve ahead

    Answer: B. The downward triangle is the YIELD sign: slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians.

    Source: Road signs: regulatory signs
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