Tips for Passing the South Carolina Road Test

Below are some tips to passing the South Carolina road test to become a licensed driver in South Carolina, whether you are getting your license for the first time or a senior with a lapsed renewal:

• Greet the examiner and be polite throughout the exam
• Do not make small talk – respond to questions and directions
• Pay attention
• Brake VERY SMOOTHLY
• Use your turn signal for EVERY turn and lane change
• Exaggerate head motions when checking mirrors, looking to turn, or checking right of way
  • It may help to wear a hat to further draw attention to these motions
• Do not cross the lines at intersections
• Be very aware of EVERYTHING the instructor is telling you
  • They may be telling you to do an illegal maneuver and expect you to tell them so
  • Do not do anything that they do not ask for
• Mind the speed limit even if there is no sign
  • TRY TO DRIVE THE ROUTE OR KNOW THE AREA
    • Arrive a little early and drive around the neighborhood
  • Keep three to four car lengths between you and the car in front of you
  • When you change lanes or turn, turn your head to look behind you – do not rely on mirrors
  • Steer smoothly and with right hand positioning
    • Hands at 10 and 2
  • Stay in the right part of the right lane
  • Do not try to read what the examiner is writing on their sheet – keep your eyes on the road
  • Avoid slowing down to change lanes – stay with the flow of traffic
  • MAKE SURE RADIO IS OFF WHEN YOU GET IN THE CAR
  • Thank the examiner at the end

What they expect generally

• TURN ABOUT – Turn your car around in a 30’ to 40’ space
• APPROACH OF CROSSING – get in the proper land and look in each direction
• OBSERVE RIGHT-OF-WAY – allow pedestrians to cross, pull over and stop for emergency vehicles and do not enter an intersection where you will interfere with other traffic
• STRAIGHT-IN PARKING – Park your vehicle inside the parking space straight-in. When properly parked, the vehicle should be centered inside the space with no part of the vehicle extending out in the traffic lane.
• STOP/START ON A GRADE – If there is no hill on your driving test, this maneuver is simulated when the car is in the straight-in parking space or when the car is pulled over to the side of the road before the turnabout maneuver. You will be instructed to show or tell the examiner what you would do if you were going to leave the vehicle parked up or down a hill, with or without a curb.
• STOP QUICKLY – Drive at 20 miles per hour and make a quick, safe stop when the examiner instructs you.
• BACKING – Back for a distance of 50 feet at a slow speed. Do not use the rear-view mirror when backing. Look to the rear instead.
• OBEY STOP SIGNS – Give the proper signal if turning, approach in the proper lane, come to a complete stop before reaching the pedestrian crosswalk or stop line, and remain stopped until you can move safely without interfering with cross traffic.
• OBEY TRAFFIC SIGNALS – Get into the proper lane and approach the light at a speed that will allow you to stop if the light should change. When you must stop, stop before the pedestrian crosswalk or stop line. When the light turns green, do not move forward until the other traffic has cleared the intersection. Give the correct signal for stopping and turning. Watch for “no turn” and “one way” signs.
• SIGNAL AND TURN – Get into the proper lane and signal your turn for the last 100 feet. Slow before reaching the crosswalk and turn into the proper lane.
• PASSING – Always look ahead and behind to make sure you can pass safely. Pass on the left, unless the car ahead is about to make a left turn or is in the left turn lane on a street with more than one lane in each direction. Do not pass on the shoulder (side of the road).
• STAY IN PROPER LANE – Drive in the right lane except on a one-way street. Do not change lanes until you may do so safely.
• FOLLOW AT A SAFE DISTANCE – Do not drive too closely behind other cars.
• USE PROPER POSTURE – Keep both hands on the steering wheel and do not rest your elbow in the window.