Skip to content
PracticeTestHQ home
Find your state

South Carolina permit test: speed, stopping distance and following distance

Visual search, managing speed for conditions, stopping distance and keeping space in front and behind. 20 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

Study this topic as flashcards

Rules to remember10 key speed, stopping distance and following distance rulesShow the rules
  1. Reduce speed more when you cannot see the end of a curve, when traction is poor, or when following other vehicles. (p. 94, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  2. Always slow to a safe speed before entering a curve, so you can apply slight, constant acceleration through it. (p. 94, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  3. Reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet or ice. (p. 95, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  4. Six inches of water reaches the bottom of most passenger cars and can cause loss of control or stalling. (p. 96, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  5. Do not drive through flooded areas. (p. 96, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  6. Two feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks. (p. 96, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  7. At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking distance alone is about 158 feet, before adding perception and reaction distance. (p. 97, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  8. Keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds, and increase it in bad conditions or behind large vehicles. (p. 98, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  9. Passing the point before one thousand four means you are too close. (p. 98, South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024) (opens the handbook))
  10. Increase your following distance behind vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses, transit buses and hazardous materials vehicles. (p. 99, 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.

Loading questions…

Sample speed, stopping distance and following distance questions

  1. 1.What minimum following distance does the South Carolina handbook recommend behind the vehicle ahead?

    • A2 seconds
    • B3 seconds
    • C4 seconds
    • D6 seconds
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. 4 seconds

    Keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds, and increase it in bad conditions or behind large vehicles.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 98

  2. 2.A flooded road blocks your only route home. What should you do?

    • AGo to higher ground and wait it out
    • BDrive through right behind another car
    • CTurn off your headlights and cross
    • DTry to cross it if it looks shallow
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Go to higher ground and wait it out

    If there is no other route, go to higher ground and wait for the water to subside. Water can hide dips and can wash out the road.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 96

  3. 3.It has just started to rain. When should you reduce your speed?

    • AOnly on bridges
    • BOnly if you see standing water
    • CAt the first sign of rain
    • DAfter the road is soaked
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. At the first sign of rain

    Reduce speed at the first sign of rain, snow, sleet or ice. Wet tires grip less, so stopping and turning take longer.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 95

  4. 4.You are behind a school bus that will stop at railroad crossings. What should you do with your following distance?

    • AFollow closely to stay visible
    • BDecrease it so you can pass
    • CKeep it the same
    • DIncrease it
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Increase it

    Increase your following distance behind vehicles that must stop at railroad crossings, such as school buses, transit buses and hazardous materials vehicles.

    Source: South Carolina Driver's License Manual (Revised 06/2024), page 99