South Carolina: Signals and vehicle controls — Part 2 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “What is a driver guilty of who fails to properly secure a load?” · “Which of these are you not allowed to use when taking your driving test?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "South Carolina Driver's Manual" (2026 (posted April 2026)), South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
All 20 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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If your vehicle has a day/night mirror, how should it be set?
- For the time of day you are driving
- Always on the night setting, whatever the hour
- Always on the day setting, whatever the hour
- Tilted up toward the roof
Show answer
Correct answer: For the time of day you are driving
A day/night mirror should be set to match the time of day you are driving.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-4 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-4)
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When you set the left side mirror with the method the manual encourages, where do you rest your head?
- Directly below the rearview mirror
- Against the closed window on the left
- Above the center console
- Against the head restraint
Show answer
Correct answer: Against the closed window on the left
To set the left mirror, the driver rests his or her head against the closed left window and adjusts the mirror until the rear edge of the vehicle barely shows.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-5)
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When you set the right side mirror with the method the manual encourages, where should your head be?
- Against the closed window on the right side of the vehicle
- Resting against the head restraint of the seat
- Directly above the steering wheel
- Directly below the rearview mirror or above the center console
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Correct answer: Directly below the rearview mirror or above the center console
The driver leans to the right so the head is below the rearview mirror or above the center console, then adjusts the mirror so the edge of the vehicle can barely be seen.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-5)
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When the outside mirrors are set so that you no longer see the sides of your own vehicle in them, how much additional viewing area does that add to each side?
- 12 to 16 degrees
- 2 to 4 degrees
- 5 to 8 degrees
- 20 to 30 degrees
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Correct answer: 12 to 16 degrees
The adjustment adds 12 to 16 degrees of additional viewing area to each side.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-5 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-5)
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What is a driver guilty of who fails to properly secure a load?
- A felony
- A violation with only a warning
- A violation that cancels the license
- A misdemeanor
Show answer
Correct answer: A misdemeanor
Failing to properly secure a load is a misdemeanor, with a possible fine and cleanup costs.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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When is a load considered secure?
- Only when nothing can slide, shift, fall, sift out or become airborne
- When it is covered by a tarp, even if parts of it could still shift
- When most of it is tied down and the rest is lightweight
- When it stays on the vehicle at normal speeds on local roads
Show answer
Correct answer: Only when nothing can slide, shift, fall, sift out or become airborne
A load counts as secure only when nothing can slide, shift, fall, sift onto the road or become airborne.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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How does the manual say to tie down a load?
- With tape wrapped around the outer edges of the whole load
- By stacking the heaviest items on top of the lighter ones
- With rope, netting, or straps directly to your vehicle or trailer
- With a loose cord attached to the bumper
Show answer
Correct answer: With rope, netting, or straps directly to your vehicle or trailer
The manual says to tie the load down with rope, netting, or straps directly to the vehicle or trailer.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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What does the manual say to consider doing with a load you are securing?
- Covering only the front of the load with plastic wrap
- Covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting
- Leaving the top of the load open to the air
- Removing the cover once you reach the highway
Show answer
Correct answer: Covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting
The manual says to consider covering the whole load with a sturdy tarp or netting.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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Which is part of securing a load in or on your vehicle or trailer?
- Loading as much as will physically fit
- Checking the load only at the start of the trip
- Leaving animals unrestrained if they are calm
- Not overloading your vehicle or trailer
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Correct answer: Not overloading your vehicle or trailer
The manual says not to overload the vehicle or trailer.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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What does the manual say about animals when you secure a load?
- They should also be properly secured
- They need no restraint if they are calm
- They should ride loose in the cargo area
- They should be tied to the roof
Show answer
Correct answer: They should also be properly secured
Animals should also be properly secured.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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What should you always do to make sure your load is secure?
- Tie it once and trust it
- Check it only after a hard stop
- Double check it
- Rely on its weight to hold it down
Show answer
Correct answer: Double check it
The manual says to always double check your load.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-8)
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Before you drive with a load, the manual says to ask whether you would feel safe doing what?
- Riding in the cargo area
- Driving behind your own vehicle
- Passing your own vehicle on the left
- Driving in front of a large truck
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving behind your own vehicle
One of the manual’s questions asks whether you would feel safe driving behind your own vehicle and its load.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-9)
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Besides giving alerts, what may some driver assistance safety features do?
- Choose your route and decide where you are going
- Make it unnecessary to use turn signals or check mirrors
- Reduce the need for tire maintenance
- Take control, such as adjusting the braking or steering
Show answer
Correct answer: Take control, such as adjusting the braking or steering
Some features alert you with sounds or vibration, and some may take control by adjusting the braking or steering.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-9)
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Which of these is listed as an Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) safety feature?
- Lane keeping assistance
- Heated seats
- Power windows
- A rear window defroster
Show answer
Correct answer: Lane keeping assistance
The manual lists lane keeping assistance among the safety features, along with blind spot warning and automatic emergency braking.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-9)
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Which of these are you not allowed to use when taking your driving test?
- Turn signals and headlights
- The horn and windshield wipers
- Parking assist and cruise control
- The parking brake and gear selector
Show answer
Correct answer: Parking assist and cruise control
The manual says certain safety features, such as parking assist and cruise control, may not be used during the driving test.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-9)
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What does the manual say about driver assistance safety features?
- They can drive the vehicle for you in good weather
- They assist you but are not there to drive the vehicle
- They make head checks unnecessary
- They are required on every vehicle used for the driving test
Show answer
Correct answer: They assist you but are not there to drive the vehicle
The features only assist with driving, and you must stay engaged and focused at all times.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-9)
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Who is responsible for the safe operation of a vehicle that has safety features?
- The vehicle manufacturer
- The safety features themselves
- The company that wrote the vehicle’s software
- You, the driver, at all times
Show answer
Correct answer: You, the driver, at all times
The manual says you are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle at all times.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-10)
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How do you stay aware of everything around you in a vehicle with safety features?
- By performing head checks and using mirrors and cameras
- By relying on the vehicle’s alerts alone
- By watching only the dashboard displays
- By letting the vehicle monitor the blind spots
Show answer
Correct answer: By performing head checks and using mirrors and cameras
You must do head checks and use mirrors and cameras to observe traffic and other road users, and not rely on safety features alone.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-10)
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Where does the manual say to learn how your vehicle’s safety features operate?
- On your driver’s license
- In your insurance policy
- In your vehicle owner’s manual
- On your registration card
Show answer
Correct answer: In your vehicle owner’s manual
The manual says to read the vehicle owner’s manual to learn how the safety features operate.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-10)
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In which condition does the manual say safety features may not work properly?
- Dry pavement
- Fog
- Light traffic
- Flat, straight roads
Show answer
Correct answer: Fog
The manual lists rain, snow, ice, fog, hills and curves as conditions where the features may not work properly.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 4-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 4-10)