South Carolina Driver’s License Manual Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary and key terms from the South Carolina Driver's License Manual covering licensing, laws, road rules, and safety.

Class D License

Allows you to drive non-commercial passenger vehicles, such as cars and trucks, which do not exceed $26,000$ pounds GVW.

GVW

Acronym for Gross Vehicle Weight, which determines the class of driver's license needed to operate a particular type of vehicle.

Beginner’s Permit

The initial credential required for individuals who have never had a driver's license; the minimum age to apply is $15$ years old.

Graduated Driver’s License Program

A program for individuals aged $15$ to $17$ that restricts nighttime and unsupervised driving to allow skill development over time.

Conditional License

A license for individuals at least $15.5$ but less than $16$ years old who have met the beginner's permit requirements and passed vision and skills tests.

Special Restricted License

A license available at age $16$ that carries specific nighttime and unsupervised driving restrictions unless a waiver is obtained.

SCDMV Form PDLA

The Certification of School Attendance, Driver’s Education and Driving Practice form required for drivers aged $15$ or $16$ applying for their first license.

Point System

A system where the SCDMV assigns numerical values to traffic violations; points are reduced by half after one year from the violation date.

Implied Consent Law

The principle that by operating a motor vehicle, a driver has given consent to testing for alcohol or drugs if suspected of impaired driving.

BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration)

The percentage of alcohol in relation to the amount of blood in an individual's body; for drivers under $21$, the suspension threshold is $0.02$ percent or greater.

Provisional Driver's License

A $6$-month license for which a driver may be eligible if their privileges are suspended for a first offense DUI or DUAC.

Route Restricted Driver's License

A license allowing a suspended driver to travel only to and from employment, college, or an Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP).

Selective Service Requirement

A mandate requiring male US citizens or immigrants under age $26$ to provide information for the US Selective Service when applying for a license or ID.

South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act

A law prohibiting drivers from physically holding or supporting a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on public roads.

PSI (Pounds per Square Inch)

The measurement unit for tire pressure as listed on the vehicle's inside doorframe sticker.

Penny Test

A method to check tire tread depth by inserting a penny into a groove; if all of Lincoln’s head is visible, the tires are too worn.

Primary Safety Belt Enforcement Law

A law allowing officers to stop a driver solely for observing an occupant not wearing a safety belt or child restraint.

ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)

Safety features such as blind spot warning and automatic emergency braking designed to sense dangers and assist the driver.

Hand-to-Hand Steering

Also known as push/pull steering; the preferred method for normal driving above $10$-$15$ mph where hands do not cross over the wheel.

Three-Point Turnabout

A maneuver used to reverse direction on a narrow two-lane roadway when there is not enough space for a U-turn.

Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI)

An interchange design that shifts cross-street traffic to the left to eliminate conflict between left-turning vehicles and oncoming traffic.

Restricted Crossing U-turn (RCUT)

An intersection design that eliminates left-turn and through movements from cross streets, requiring drivers to turn right and then perform a U-turn at a median opening.

Zipper Merge

A late merge driving strategy where drivers use both lanes until the merge point and then take turns easing into the open lane.

Total Stopping Distance

The sum of perception distance, reaction distance, and braking distance in ideal conditions.

Space Cushion

The area of space maintained around a vehicle to provide time to react to the actions of other roadway users; the minimum recommended following distance is $4$ seconds.

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

A system that allows a driver to stop without skidding while maintaining steering control by applying constant hard pressure to the brake pedal.

No Zone

Large blind spots around trucks and buses, specifically extending up to $200$ feet directly behind the vehicle.

Move-Over Law

A law requiring drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching a stopped authorized emergency vehicle with lights flashing.

Slow-Moving Vehicle Sign

A fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle displayed on the rear of vehicles traveling less than $25$ mph.