South Carolina: Cheat Sheet

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Road signs

The manual labels the plus-shaped symbol on a yellow diamond sign as Cross Road Ahead.
A yellow diamond with a traffic light symbol warns that a traffic signal is ahead.
Guide signs give information on intersecting roads, direct you to cities and towns, and show points of interest.
On a one-way street you must not turn in the direction opposite the arrow, and you must never drive the wrong way.
A blue sign with a hurricane symbol marks a road used as an evacuation route during a hurricane.
Regulatory signs give specific laws you must obey, such as rules for direction, lane use, turning, speed, and parking.
Traffic control devices include signals, signs, markings and directions from law enforcement, highway personnel and school crossing guards.
A yellow diamond sign with arrows in a circle warns drivers of a roundabout or traffic circle.

Sign shapes and colors

Work zone signs are generally orange with black letters or symbols.

Traffic signals

The manual says you should stop and wait for the next green light.
After stopping you look both ways and yield if necessary before you enter.
A vertical traffic device shows red at the top, yellow in the middle and green at the bottom.
Green means you may go through if the intersection is clear, using caution.
When turning on red you stop before the crosswalk on the near side, then turn when it is safe.
A red light means stop before entering the intersection and wait behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection.

Right-of-way and turning

You proceed to the appropriate exit, signal your intent, and exit.
A two-point turnabout uses a street, alley, or driveway to reverse direction when you cannot practically drive around the block.
Drivers take turns crossing, and generally the first driver to the bridge goes first.
Blind spots are checked by turning your head and looking over your shoulder toward the lane you want to enter.
Do not try to pass when a curve or hill blocks your view.
The manual says to use a three-point turnabout only on a two-lane roadway that is not busy.
With no yield or stop sign, you should slow down and be ready to stop for crossing or oncoming traffic.

Alcohol and drugs

Alcohol blurs vision, slows focusing, causes double vision, and reduces your ability to judge distance and speed.
Refusing implied consent testing can lead to suspension of your license and driving privileges.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any known side effects.
The TAL list includes implied consent, implied consent under 21, BAC of 0.15 percent, and BAC of 0.02 percent or more under 21.
Alcohol concentration is usually measured with a breath, blood, or urine test.
Violations such as driving under the influence bring mandatory suspensions that are not under the point system.

Speed and following distance

The manual says to reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet, or ice, not after problems appear.
When no other route exists you should go to higher ground and wait for the water to go down.
On unfamiliar roads at night you should add at least two extra seconds to your following distance.
The manual says to avoid crowding the centerline marking and to keep as much space as possible from oncoming traffic.
Following too closely limits your view of the road and leaves too little time to react and avoid a collision.
The manual says you can help the driver behind keep a safe distance by keeping a steady speed, signaling in advance and keeping more space in front.
You should slow down, center your vehicle in your lane, and watch for oncoming traffic that may try to share your lane.

Licensing basics

After midnight a permit holder must be supervised by a licensed individual listed in SC Code §56-1-100(A)(1-7).
The manual says plainly not to drive with an expired license; the nine months only matters for how you renew.
The manual says One Stop programs are also known as third-party testers.
An unsafe vehicle means the skills test has to be postponed.

Older drivers

Prolonged discomfort from oncoming headlight glare is one of the listed warning signs.

Signals and vehicle controls

The features only assist with driving, and you must stay engaged and focused at all times.
The manual says you should not use your horn when near blind pedestrians.
Animals should also be properly secured.
You are no longer driving just a vehicle but a vehicle-trailer combination.

Pavement markings

With a solid and a dashed yellow line, passing is permitted only for the driver whose side has the dashed line.
If a stop line comes before the crosswalk, the stop line must be obeyed first.
Pavement markings show where you must stop for signs or traffic signals, along with dividing lanes and showing where you may pass.
A dashed white line between lanes on a one-direction roadway means passing is permitted.

Highway driving and the zipper merge

The zipper merge keeps both lanes in use until the point of merge, where drivers take turns entering the open lane.
The deceleration lane is on the right of the roadway, ahead of the ramp.
You use the acceleration lane beside the main roadway to reach the speed of other traffic before you merge.

Parking rules

You back up as much as possible toward the vehicle parked behind to gain room to pull out.
You move forward slowly and turn the wheel as needed until the vehicle reaches the middle of the space, then center it.
Parking as far as possible from the flow of traffic keeps the vehicle from obstructing it.
After the front bumper clears the neighboring vehicle, you turn the wheel sharply in the direction the rear should move.

Railroad crossings

You must wait until the train is well down the track or railroad devices such as lights and gates indicate it is safe to cross.
The round yellow RR sign cautions drivers to slow down, look, and listen for a train and to be ready to stop if one is approaching.

Pedestrians

You must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk even if it is unmarked, including mid-block crosswalks.
The manual says that when turning right on red you must be prepared to yield to pedestrians.
You must yield to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk.

Sharing the road

Before opening a door on the street, check the sides and rear of the vehicle for bicyclists.
Before a left turn you should check carefully in front of and beside your vehicle for motorcycles.
A large commercial vehicle has blind spots on its sides, at its rear and at its front.
A skillful bicyclist rides predictably and holds a steady line.
Failing to obey traffic control devices such as stop signs and signals is a listed aggressive behavior.

Seat belts and child safety

A child at least age 8 may be restrained by an adult safety belt if the belt secures the child properly.
The booster is used until the child meets the height and fit requirements for an adult safety seat belt.
Under the primary law, an officer with a clear, unobstructed view of an unbelted or unrestrained occupant may stop the driver.

Distractions, fatigue and emotions

The law does not restrict earpieces or wrist worn devices used for voice-based communications.
Fatigue can be caused by physical or mental strain, repetitive tasks, illness, or lack of sleep.
A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving, not just things that take your eyes off the road.
Leaving several minutes early gives you extra time, which helps when you are emotional.

Emergencies and winter driving

The manual says to steer smoothly, brake gently and pull off the roadway.
The manual says to avoid cruise control in winter driving conditions.
The manual names three options for avoiding a collision or reducing its impact: braking, steering, or accelerating.
You stop, pull ahead to straighten the trailer, and then start again.

Emergency vehicles, police stops and work zones

Arguing only drags out the stop; you can state your case in court instead.
The manual says never to make threatening motions or statements to an officer.

Insurance

Liability insurance must move to the new state along with the registration.

Points and suspensions

Once a suspension begins, the point reduction will not cancel or reduce it, so the course must be finished first.