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South Carolina: Traffic signals Practice Test

Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and lane-use signals.

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15 questions · About 6 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 15 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. On a traffic light with the lights stacked vertically, in what order do the lights illuminate from top to bottom?

    • Green, yellow, red
    • Red, yellow, green
    • Yellow, red, green
    • Red, green, yellow
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Red, yellow, green

    A vertical traffic device shows red at the top, yellow in the middle and green at the bottom.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-2 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. What is true of traffic lights at some intersections and other locations?

    • They have lights of only one color, which must always be red
    • They show a light only when a vehicle is waiting
    • They use blue lights on the left side of the signal
    • They have lights of only one color: green, yellow or red
    Show answer

    Correct answer: They have lights of only one color: green, yellow or red

    Some locations have lights of only one color: green, yellow or red.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-2 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. In some metropolitan areas the lights are horizontal. In what order are they placed from left to right?

    • Green on the left, yellow in the middle, red on the right
    • Yellow on the left, red in the middle, green on the right
    • Red on the left, green in the middle, yellow on the right
    • Red on the left, yellow in the middle, green on the right
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    Correct answer: Red on the left, yellow in the middle, green on the right

    On a horizontal signal red is on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. What does a steady green traffic light mean?

    A traffic signal showing a steady green light
    • You must go through the intersection without slowing down for anyone
    • You may go through the intersection if it is clear to do so, with caution
    • You must stop first, since cross traffic always goes first
    • You may go through only if you are turning right at the intersection
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    Correct answer: You may go through the intersection if it is clear to do so, with caution

    Green means you may go through if the intersection is clear, using caution.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. What does a yellow traffic light warn you of?

    A steady yellow traffic light
    • The signal is about to change to the green go signal
    • The intersection ahead is closed to all traffic
    • The signal is about to change to the red stop signal
    • The signal has stopped working and is out of order
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The signal is about to change to the red stop signal

    A yellow light follows green and warns that the red stop signal is coming.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. When you approach a yellow light, what does the manual say you should do?

    A red car some distance short of an intersection with a crosswalk and a white line across its lane; the middle lamp of the traffic signal beside the road is lit.
    • Stop your vehicle and wait for the next green light
    • Speed up to clear the intersection before red
    • Slow down and proceed through with caution
    • Stop only if another vehicle is close behind you
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Stop your vehicle and wait for the next green light

    The manual says you should stop and wait for the next green light.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. A light turns yellow while you are already in the intersection. What should you do?

    Top view of a city intersection: the blue car is in the middle of the intersection while the signals ahead show a steady yellow light; a grey car waits on the cross street and a white car waits on the opposite side.
    • Clear the intersection as quickly as possible
    • Stop where you are until the light turns green
    • Back up behind the stop line
    • Slow down and stop in the crosswalk
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Clear the intersection as quickly as possible

    If you are already in the intersection, you clear it as quickly as possible.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. What must you allow for when you approach a yellow light?

    A steady yellow traffic light
    • Pedestrians who may not see the signal
    • Vehicles that may run the red light on the next block
    • Errors made by other drivers at your side, front and rear
    • Cars that stop completely in the intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Errors made by other drivers at your side, front and rear

    You must watch for and allow for other drivers’ errors from the sides, front and rear at a yellow light.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. Where must you wait when facing a red traffic light?

    Top view of a city intersection with a red traffic light: a white stop line, then a striped crosswalk before the cross street; a blue car approaches from the bottom and a red car crosses from the left.
    • In the middle of the crosswalk, until the light turns yellow again
    • Behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection, until the light turns green
    • Past the stop line, as long as you are not yet in the intersection
    • Beside the stop line, until the cross traffic has fully cleared
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection, until the light turns green

    A red light means stop before entering the intersection and wait behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. When may traffic facing a red signal turn right?

    A red car with right-side turn signal lamps lit amber, some distance before a white line across its lane and white bars across the road, beside a red traffic light.
    • Only where a sign allows a right turn on red
    • Only when there is no other traffic on the road
    • Never, because red means stop until green
    • Except where a sign prohibits a right turn on red
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Except where a sign prohibits a right turn on red

    The manual permits a right turn on red except where a sign prohibits it.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. When you turn right on red, where must you stop before turning?

    A red car with right-side turn signal lamps lit amber, some distance before a white line across its lane and white bars across the road, beside a red traffic light.
    • In the middle of the crosswalk, to check for traffic
    • Past the crosswalk, in the intersection
    • Only at the far side of the intersection
    • Before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the turn
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the turn

    When turning on red you stop before the crosswalk on the near side, then turn when it is safe.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. When you turn right on red, to whom must you yield the right-of-way?

    A red car with right-side turn signal lamps lit amber, some distance before a white line across its lane and white bars across the road, beside a red traffic light.
    • Only pedestrians who are crossing in the lane you are turning into, and no other traffic
    • Pedestrians lawfully within or next to the crosswalk, and other traffic lawfully in the intersection
    • Only vehicles approaching from the left on the cross street, but not pedestrians
    • No one at all, as long as you stopped before the crosswalk first
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Pedestrians lawfully within or next to the crosswalk, and other traffic lawfully in the intersection

    After stopping, a driver turning on red yields to lawful pedestrians and to other traffic lawfully in the intersection.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

    A flashing yellow traffic light
    • Stop completely and wait for a green light
    • Stop as at a stop sign, then proceed when safe
    • Slow down and proceed with caution
    • Speed up so that you clear the intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution

    A flashing yellow light means slow down, use caution and be ready to stop for traffic that may enter.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-3 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. At a flashing red traffic light, what procedure do you use?

    A traffic signal flashing red
    • The same procedure as at a stop sign, coming to a complete stop
    • Slow down and go through if the intersection is clear
    • Stop only if other traffic is approaching
    • Stop and wait until the light stops flashing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The same procedure as at a stop sign, coming to a complete stop

    A flashing red light is treated like a stop sign: you come to a complete stop first.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-4 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. After you stop at a flashing red traffic light, what should you do before entering the intersection?

    A traffic signal flashing red
    • Look both ways and yield right-of-way, if applicable
    • Wait for the signal to stop flashing and turn green
    • Honk to warn the cross traffic that you are there
    • Wait until all other traffic has cleared the intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Look both ways and yield right-of-way, if applicable

    After stopping you look both ways and yield if necessary before you enter.

    Source: ⁨South Carolina Driver's Manual (2026 (posted April 2026))⁩, page 6-4 · Open this page in the manual

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