South Carolina Driver's License Manual Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering driver licensing classifications, state traffic laws, safety protocols, and driving techniques from the SC Driver's License Manual.

Class D Non-Commercial License

South Carolina driver's license allowing the operation of non-commercial passenger vehicles up to 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), mopeds, and three-wheel vehicles.

Class E Non-Commercial License

South Carolina driver's license allowing the operation of non-commercial single unit vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), such as trucks and motor homes.

Class F Non-Commercial License

South Carolina driver's license allowing the operation of non-commercial combination vehicles exceeding 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), such as trucks or motor homes with a towed trailer.

Class G License

South Carolina driver's license allowing the operation of a moped for individuals at least 15 years old who pass vision and knowledge tests.

Class M License

South Carolina driver's license allowing the operation of a two-wheel motorcycle, a two-wheel motorcycle with a detachable sidecar, or a three-wheel vehicle.

Beginner's Permit

Entry-level driving permit required for first-time drivers at least 15 years old, requiring vision and knowledge tests before driving under supervised conditions.

SCDMV Form PDLA

Certification of School Attendance, Driver's Education and Driving Practice form required for 15- and 16-year-olds applying for their first driver's license.

Conditional License

License available to 15 ½ to 16-year-olds who meet beginner's permit requirements and pass vision and skills tests, imposing specific nighttime and passenger restrictions.

Special Restricted License

License for 16-year-olds that lifts certain conditional restrictions and allows an optional waiver for unsupervised driving until midnight for work or school activities.

One Stop Driver Training Programs

Program partnering SCDMV with third-party driver training schools to administer authorized knowledge and skills tests.

International Driving Permit

Document obtained in a visitor's home country that translates a foreign driver's license into English for law enforcement.

South Carolina Point System

System charging points against a driving record for traffic convictions, where recorded points are reduced by half after one year from the violation date.

Defensive Driving Course

Eight-hour classroom training course in SC that allows a driver to reduce four points on their driving record once every three years.

Provisional Driver's License

Six-month license costing $100 available to eligible drivers suspended for first-offense DUI or DUAC with a BAC of 0.14 percent or less.

Route Restricted Driver's License

A $100 restricted license granting non-commercial driving privileges exclusively to and from work, college, ADSAP, or court-ordered drug programs.

Temporary Alcohol License (TAL)

A $100 license available to drivers who file for an administrative hearing within 30 days of an alcohol-related license suspension.

South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act

State law prohibiting holding a mobile electronic device, reading or writing texts, or viewing moving images while operating a motor vehicle.

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)

The standard unit of measurement used to check vehicle tire air pressure.

Primary Safety Belt Enforcement Law

South Carolina law permitting law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle solely for observing an unbelted occupant or un-restrained child.

Hand-to-Hand Steering

Push/pull steering method recommended for normal driving above 10-15 mph where hands and arms do not cross over the steering wheel.

Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)

Interchange design that shifts cross-street traffic to the left side of the road between signalized crossovers to eliminate left turns across oncoming traffic.

Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT)

Intersection design that eliminates direct left turns and straight-through moves from side streets, requiring drivers to turn right and make a U-turn.

Zipper Merge

Late merge driving technique where vehicles stay in their respective traffic lanes until the bottleneck or merge point and alternate entering the open lane.

Hydroplaning

Condition where steering tires ride on a film of water on top of the road surface, causing loss of traction and steering control.

Total Stopping Distance

The distance a vehicle travels in ideal conditions from the moment a driver perceives a hazard to when the vehicle comes to a complete stop.

Four-Second Following Distance

The minimum recommended time gap a driver should maintain between their vehicle and the vehicle directly ahead.

The No Zone

Large blind spot areas located directly in front, directly behind, and along both sides of commercial trucks and buses.

Move-Over Law

Law requiring drivers approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights to slow down and change lanes away from the vehicle if safe to do so.