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South Carolina: Signals and vehicle controls — Part 4 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “When does the manual say to use hand-over-hand steering?” · “When does the manual say to use one hand steering?”

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19 questions · About 8 min

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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 19 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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  1. Why is there less chance of injury to your face, hands and arms in a frontal crash when your hands are at 7 to 9 and 3 to 5 o’clock on a car with a driver’s side air bag?

    • Your hands are placed close together at the top of the wheel
    • Your arms are held straight out in front of your face
    • Your hands and arms never cross over the steering wheel
    • Your hands are held at the 10 and 2 positions
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Your hands and arms never cross over the steering wheel

    With this grip your hands and arms never cross over the wheel, so an air bag is less likely to injure them.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. Which hand position is not recommended because it can be dangerous in vehicles equipped with airbags?

    A steering wheel seen from the driver's seat, with the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock face placed around its rim
    • 7 and 5 o’clock
    • 2 and 10 o’clock
    • 9 and 3 o’clock
    • 8 and 4 o’clock
    Show answer

    Correct answer: 2 and 10 o’clock

    The manual says that 2 and 10 o’clock is not recommended because of the danger with airbags.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. When does the manual say to use hand-over-hand steering?

    • When driving straight ahead on a highway at speeds above 45-50 mph
    • Whenever you need to make a quick lane change at highway speed
    • Only when you are backing the vehicle up in a parking lot
    • When turning at low speeds, such as at an intersection or when parking
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When turning at low speeds, such as at an intersection or when parking

    Hand-over-hand steering is for low-speed turns such as at intersections or while parking.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. With hand-over-hand steering, where do your hands grasp the wheel?

    A steering wheel seen from the driver's seat, with the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock face placed around its rim
    • Left hand between 10 and 11 o’clock and right hand between 1 and 2 o’clock
    • Left hand between 9 and 10 o’clock and right hand between 2 and 3 o’clock
    • Left hand between 6 and 7 o’clock and right hand between 5 and 6 o’clock
    • Left hand between 8 and 9 o’clock and right hand between 3 and 4 o’clock
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Left hand between 8 and 9 o’clock and right hand between 3 and 4 o’clock

    For hand-over-hand steering the left hand is at 8 to 9 and the right hand at 3 to 4 o’clock.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. In hand-over-hand steering, which part of the wheel do you use to move the wheel to the right?

    A steering wheel seen from the driver's seat, with the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock face placed around its rim
    • The left bottom third of the steering wheel
    • The right top third of the steering wheel
    • The right bottom third of the steering wheel
    • The left top third of the steering wheel
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    Correct answer: The right top third of the steering wheel

    To steer right you use the right top third of the wheel; for left you use the left top third.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. When does the manual say to use one hand steering?

    • Whenever you are driving on a straight road with no traffic
    • Whenever you drive below 10-15 mph in a parking lot area
    • Only when backing up or reaching briefly for a vehicle control
    • Whenever you make a turn at an intersection at low speed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only when backing up or reaching briefly for a vehicle control

    One hand steering is only for backing up or briefly reaching for controls such as wipers, flashers or lights.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. When you reach for a vehicle control, where should you keep your other hand on the wheel?

    A steering wheel seen from the driver's seat, with the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock face placed around its rim
    • At 8-9 o’clock or 3-4 o’clock, depending on the steering wheel design
    • At 12 o’clock, at the top of the wheel
    • At 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock, depending on the steering wheel design
    • At 6 o’clock, at the bottom of the wheel
    Show answer

    Correct answer: At 8-9 o’clock or 3-4 o’clock, depending on the steering wheel design

    The other hand stays in the normal operating position of 8-9 or 3-4 o’clock.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. Why should you check behind the vehicle before you get in it to back up?

    A blue car parked on a concrete driveway in front of a house, nose toward the house, seen from above, with a tree on each side of the driveway.
    • Children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver’s seat
    • Mirrors cannot show anything behind the vehicle at night
    • The rearview camera works only after you start the engine
    • Other drivers must be warned before you shift to reverse
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver’s seat

    Children and small objects behind the vehicle are not visible from the driver’s seat.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. What should you do with your foot when you shift to reverse to back up?

    A car's driver footwell with two pedals: a wide brake pedal and a narrower gas pedal
    • Place your foot on the accelerator
    • Keep your foot off the pedals
    • Place your foot on the brake
    • Place your foot on the parking brake
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Place your foot on the brake

    Your foot is on the brake when you shift into reverse.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. When backing up, where does the manual say to place your left hand on the steering wheel?

    A steering wheel seen from the driver's seat, with the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock face placed around its rim
    • At the 9 o’clock position
    • At the 12 o’clock position
    • At the 6 o’clock position
    • At the 3 o’clock position
    Show answer

    Correct answer: At the 12 o’clock position

    The manual tells you to grasp the wheel at 12 o’clock with your left hand when backing.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. When backing up, how should you look to see where you are going?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • Look only in the rearview mirror, without turning your body or head
    • Watch only the side mirrors while keeping both hands on the steering wheel
    • Look over your left shoulder through the driver’s side window as you steer
    • Put your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and look through the rear window
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Put your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and look through the rear window

    The manual says to put your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and look through the rear window.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. What do your mirrors fail to show when you back up?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • The area beside your front doors and fenders
    • The vehicles that are two lanes away
    • The road that is far behind you
    • The area immediately behind your vehicle
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The area immediately behind your vehicle

    Mirrors do not show the area immediately behind the vehicle, so you must also look to the rear.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. How should you use a rearview camera when backing up, if your vehicle has one?

    A car's dashboard screen showing the rear camera view of an empty driveway behind the car, with green, yellow and red guide lines
    • Use it instead of looking to the rear
    • Check it occasionally while backing up
    • Use it only after the vehicle has stopped
    • Ignore it, since cameras are not allowed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Check it occasionally while backing up

    The manual says to occasionally check a rearview camera while backing up.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. Why should you keep your speed slow when backing up?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • Your brakes work less well in reverse
    • Your mirrors cannot be used in reverse
    • Your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing up
    • Your vehicle cannot go faster than 10 mph in reverse
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing up

    The manual says to accelerate gently and stay slow because steering is much harder in reverse.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-5 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. When backing up, in which direction should you steer slightly?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • In the direction the rear of the vehicle should move
    • In the direction the front of the vehicle should move
    • Away from the side you are backing toward
    • Straight ahead, until the vehicle stops
    Show answer

    Correct answer: In the direction the rear of the vehicle should move

    You steer slightly toward the direction the rear of the vehicle should go.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-6 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. If you are backing up while turning, what should you do?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • Make quick checks to the front and sides
    • Keep your eyes on the rear window only
    • Stop and use only your mirrors
    • Look only at the dashboard gauges
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Make quick checks to the front and sides

    While backing in a turn you make quick checks to the front and sides.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-6 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. How long should you continue looking to the rear when backing up?

    A blue car parked nose-in on a house driveway with its white backup lights on, and a dashed path showing it backing toward the sidewalk and the street
    • Until the vehicle starts to move
    • Until you have backed up one car length
    • Until you come to a complete stop
    • Until the rear wheels are straight
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Until you come to a complete stop

    You keep looking to the rear until the vehicle has come to a complete stop.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 5-6 · Open this page in the manual

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  18. It is your responsibility to do what regarding other roadway users?

    • Make your vehicle visible to them
    • Predict their movements before they act
    • Guide them through intersections
    • Leave the road when they approach
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Make your vehicle visible to them

    The manual says it is your responsibility to make your vehicle visible to other roadway users.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 8-8 · Open this page in the manual

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  19. On rainy, snowy, or foggy days, what should you do with your headlights?

    A blue car seen from above on grey asphalt in thick white fog, with blurry green trees on both sides.
    • Use your high beams and keep your speed
    • Use only your parking lights and slow down
    • Turn them off to prevent glare and slow down
    • Use your low-beam lights and slow down
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Use your low-beam lights and slow down

    On rainy, snowy or foggy days the manual says to use low-beam lights and slow down.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 8-8 · Open this page in the manual

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