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South Carolina permit test: basic control, backing and parking

Starting, stopping, steering, backing, angle and parallel parking, and parking on hills. 14 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key basic control, backing and parking rulesShow the rules
  1. Place your left hand at 7 to 9 o'clock and your right at 3 to 5 o'clock. (p. 54, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  2. Use hand-over-hand steering at low speeds, such as at intersections or when parking. (p. 56, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  3. Turn and look directly through the rear window. (p. 57, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  4. Check behind the vehicle before you get in. (p. 57, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  5. When backing, steer slightly in the direction you want the rear of the vehicle to move, and keep looking back until you stop. (p. 58, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  6. Back straight out until your front bumper clears the vehicle beside you, then turn the wheel sharply in the direction the rear should go. (p. 85, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  7. Park as far from traffic as possible, and no more than 18 inches from the curb or the edge of the pavement. (p. 85, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  8. Headed uphill with a curb, turn the wheels toward the center of the street so the back of the front tire rests against the curb. (p. 87, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  9. Headed downhill, with or without a curb, turn the wheels to the right (unless you're parked on the left of a one-way street). (p. 87, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  10. On hills, always set the parking brake, put the vehicle in park or the proper gear, and turn off the engine. (p. 87, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample basic control, backing and parking questions

  1. 1.You are backing up with side mirrors and a rearview camera. Where should you mainly look?

    • AOnly at the rearview camera screen
    • BStraight ahead through the windshield
    • COnly at the two side mirrors
    • DThrough the rear window, glancing at mirrors
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Through the rear window, glancing at mirrors

    Turn and look directly through the rear window. Mirrors don't show the area right behind you, so check them and any camera only occasionally.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 57

  2. 2.You park facing uphill on a road with no curb. Which way should you turn your wheels?

    • AAny direction, since there's no curb
    • BLeft, toward the center of the road
    • CRight, so it would roll off the road
    • DStraight ahead, parallel to the road
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. Right, so it would roll off the road

    Headed uphill without a curb, turn the wheels to the right so the vehicle would roll off the road if the brakes failed.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 87

  3. 3.Before getting into your car to back out of the driveway, what should you do?

    • AWalk around and check behind the car
    • BRoll down all the windows to listen
    • CHonk the horn twice before backing
    • DStart the engine and check the mirrors
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Walk around and check behind the car

    Check behind the vehicle before you get in. Children and small objects can't be seen from the driver's seat.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 57

  4. 4.Above about what speed should you use hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering for normal forward turns?

    • AAbout 35 mph or more
    • BAbout 5 mph only
    • CAbout 55 mph or more
    • DAbout 10 to 15 mph
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. About 10 to 15 mph

    Use hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering when turning during normal forward driving above about 10 to 15 mph.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 55