South Carolina permit test: road signs
Sign shapes and colors, warning, work zone, regulatory, guide and route signs, and railroad crossing signs. 38 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key road signs rulesShow the rules
- Warning signs alert you to possible danger ahead. (p. 62, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- If you need to stop for traffic or a signal near railroad tracks, stop at the stop line before the tracks, never on them. (p. 65, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- Look both ways, then cross the tracks quickly without stopping. (p. 65, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- In work zones, a person with a sign or flag may direct traffic, and you must follow their instructions. (p. 66, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- Regulatory signs are usually white rectangles with black, red or green letters or symbols. (p. 67, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- A yield sign is a red and white downward-pointing triangle. (p. 68, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- A one-way sign means traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow. (p. 68, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- An eight-sided red sign with white letters is a stop sign. (p. 68, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- Guide signs are square or rectangular and green, brown or blue. (p. 69, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
- Route number signs show the type of road by their shape and color. (p. 69, 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.
Sample road signs questions
1.You see this sign at a street you want to turn onto. What does it mean?
- AThat street comes to a dead end a short way ahead
- BTraffic on that street flows only in the arrow's direction
- CParking on that street is allowed only on the arrow side
- DTraffic on that street moves in both directions
Show the answer
✓ B. Traffic on that street flows only in the arrow's direction
A one-way sign means traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow. Do not turn the opposite way.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 68
2.What does this sign mean?
- ARoad turns back sharply
- BDetour ahead
- CU-turns allowed
- DNo U-turns allowed
Show the answer
✓ D. No U-turns allowed
This regulatory sign means U-turns are not allowed here.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 67
3.You are approaching a work zone with traffic ahead slowing down. What should you do?
- AFollow closely so others don't cut in
- BReduce speed, leave space and be ready to stop suddenly
- CChange lanes often to get through faster
- DKeep your speed so you clear the zone quickly
Show the answer
✓ B. Reduce speed, leave space and be ready to stop suddenly
Reduce your speed in work zones, be prepared to stop suddenly, and do not tailgate.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 67
4.What does this sign mean?
- AAn added lane begins ahead
- BNo passing is allowed ahead
- CThe road is divided ahead
- DA lane ends; be ready to merge
Show the answer
✓ D. A lane ends; be ready to merge
This sign warns that a lane ends ahead, so traffic in that lane must merge.
Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 63