South Carolina: Signals and vehicle controls — Part 5 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Under normal circumstances, how much horn use should be all that is needed?” · “Why should you use your horn only when you need to communicate with other road users?”
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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
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Which of these is a time when turning on your headlights is especially important?
- When driving at noon in clear, dry weather
- When it begins to get dark
- When your vehicle is parked beside a building
- When you are in a parking space in daylight
Show answer
Correct answer: When it begins to get dark
Headlights help others see you, especially when it begins to get dark.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-8)
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When is turning on your headlights especially important, besides bad weather and dusk?
- When driving away from a rising or setting sun
- When driving at midday with the sun directly overhead
- When driving in light traffic on a dry, clear day
- When driving on a road with no curves or hills
Show answer
Correct answer: When driving away from a rising or setting sun
The manual lists driving away from a rising or setting sun as a time when headlights especially help others see you.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-8)
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Under normal circumstances, how much horn use should be all that is needed?
- One long blast held until the other driver responds
- Two short blasts followed by one long blast
- A light tap on the horn
- Repeated taps until the other driver looks at you
Show answer
Correct answer: A light tap on the horn
A light tap on the horn should be all that is needed under normal circumstances.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-8 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-8)
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Which driver might you give a light tap on the horn?
- One who is traveling at the speed limit ahead of you
- One who is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you
- One who is waiting behind you at a red light
- One who is driving slowly in the right lane
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Correct answer: One who is not paying attention or may have trouble seeing you
A light tap can get the attention of a driver who is inattentive or may not see you.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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While passing another vehicle, when may you want to give a light tap on the horn?
- When that driver is signaling a turn away from your lane
- When that driver is traveling at a steady speed
- When that driver is already well behind you
- When that driver starts to turn into your lane
Show answer
Correct answer: When that driver starts to turn into your lane
A light tap warns a driver who begins to turn into your lane while you pass.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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Which of these may call for a light tap on the horn?
- A pedestrian who is waiting on the sidewalk
- A bicyclist riding in the same direction far ahead
- Pedestrians or bicyclists who appear to be moving into your lane
- Another driver who is signaling a turn at an intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Pedestrians or bicyclists who appear to be moving into your lane
A light tap can warn pedestrians or bicyclists who appear to be moving into your lane of travel.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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Why should you use your horn only when you need to communicate with other road users?
- Using it inappropriately could scare or anger another road user
- Using it too often can weaken the horn and drain the vehicle battery
- A horn sounded in traffic may be mistaken for an emergency siren
- Other drivers are not required to respond to a horn
Show answer
Correct answer: Using it inappropriately could scare or anger another road user
The manual says an inappropriate horn blast could scare or anger another road user.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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When should you not use your horn?
- When a driver is not paying attention to you
- When you are passing a driver who starts to turn into your lane
- When you are in heavy traffic during daylight hours
- When you are near blind pedestrians
Show answer
Correct answer: When you are near blind pedestrians
The manual says you should not use your horn when near blind pedestrians.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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Under state law, how far before changing lanes, turning, or merging into traffic must you use a turn signal?
- 25 feet or more
- 100 feet or more
- 50 feet or more
- 150 feet or more
Show answer
Correct answer: 100 feet or more
It is state law to signal 100 feet or more before changing lanes, turning left or right, or merging into traffic.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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Why should you cancel your turn signal once your action is completed?
- To avoid confusing other drivers
- To keep the signal lever from sticking
- To save the turn signal bulbs from wear
- To reset the brake lights for the next turn
Show answer
Correct answer: To avoid confusing other drivers
A signal left on after your turn or lane change can confuse other drivers.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-9 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-9)
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What do brake lights let other roadway users know?
- That the driver ahead is about to change lanes
- That the vehicle ahead is about to turn left
- That the vehicle in front is slowing down
- That the driver ahead is about to accelerate
Show answer
Correct answer: That the vehicle in front is slowing down
Brake lights tell other roadway users that the vehicle in front is slowing down.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-10)
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Which of these is a time to signal before reducing speed?
- Driving straight at a steady speed on a road with light traffic
- Turning off a roadway that does not have separate turning or exiting lanes
- Accelerating away from a stop sign onto an empty roadway
- Continuing in your lane through a green light
Show answer
Correct answer: Turning off a roadway that does not have separate turning or exiting lanes
You should signal before slowing when you turn off a roadway that has no separate turning or exiting lanes.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-10)
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Which of these is a time to signal before you reduce speed?
- Driving straight at a steady speed on an open road
- Following a slower car in your own lane
- Continuing in your lane through a green light
- Parking or turning before an intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Parking or turning before an intersection
Signal before slowing when you are parking or turning before an intersection.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 8-10 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 8-10)
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How far can you see with high beams compared with low beams?
- Twice as far
- Half as far
- One and a half times as far
- Three times as far
Show answer
Correct answer: Twice as far
High beams light the road about twice as far ahead as low beams do.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 11-1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11-1)
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At night, when should you use your high beams?
- Whenever you are following another vehicle
- Whenever it is foggy, rainy, or snowy
- Whenever there are no oncoming vehicles
- Only when you are driving on a freeway
Show answer
Correct answer: Whenever there are no oncoming vehicles
Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles; they let you see twice as far as low beams.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 11-1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11-1)
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At about what distance from an oncoming vehicle should you dim your high beams?
- 100 feet
- 500 feet or more
- 200 feet
- 50 feet
Show answer
Correct answer: 500 feet or more
You should dim your high beams when you are 500 feet or more away from any oncoming vehicle.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 11-1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11-1)
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If an oncoming vehicle has its high beams on, where should you glance to avoid being blinded?
- Toward the left side of the road
- Directly at the oncoming headlights
- Down at your dashboard
- Toward the right side of the road
Show answer
Correct answer: Toward the right side of the road
Looking toward the right side of the road keeps you from being distracted or briefly blinded by the oncoming headlights.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 11-1 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11-1)
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Which headlights should you use when following another vehicle that is less than 200 feet in front of you?
- High beams
- Parking lights only
- Hazard flashers
- Low beams
Show answer
Correct answer: Low beams
Use your low beams when the vehicle you are following is less than 200 feet ahead.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 11-2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11-2)
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Which headlight setting should you use in fog, rain, or snow?
- High beams
- Low beams
- Parking lights only
- Headlights turned off
Show answer
Correct answer: Low beams
Light from high beams can cause glare and make it harder to see ahead in fog, rain, or snow.
Source: South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026)), page 11-2 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11-2)