Traffic Laws

Study questions with answers

12 sample Traffic Laws questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. What do the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations say about a CMV driver sending or reading text messages while driving in interstate commerce?

   Correct answer: It is completely prohibited while operating the vehicle

   Federal rules prohibit texting while driving a commercial vehicle, and carriers may not require or permit their drivers to text.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Texting)

2. 2. Under South Carolina's Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, what is a driver forbidden to do with a mobile electronic device while driving on a public road?

   Correct answer: Hold or support the device with any part of the body

   The act forbids you to hold, or use any body part to prop up, an electronic device while at the wheel.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Act)

3. 3. If you are convicted of a traffic violation, except parking, in another jurisdiction, whom must you also notify within 30 days?

   Correct answer: Your motor vehicle licensing agency

   You must notify your own motor vehicle licensing agency within 30 days of a conviction for any traffic offense besides parking in another jurisdiction.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

4. 4. The federal rule on hand-held phones defines prohibited use to include dialing in what manner?

   Correct answer: Pressing more than a single button to place a call

   Dialing a mobile phone by pressing more than one button counts as prohibited hand-held use for a CMV driver.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

5. 5. How soon must a driver tell their employer if the driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled or the driver is disqualified?

   Correct answer: Within two business days

   A driver must inform the employer within two business days when a license is suspended, revoked, canceled, or the driver is disqualified.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

6. 6. Which use of a device does South Carolina's hands-free law specifically leave unrestricted?

   Correct answer: Using an earpiece or wrist device for a voice call

   State law places no limit on using an earpiece or a wrist-worn device to carry on a spoken conversation.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Act)

7. 7. The federal restriction on hand-held phones includes a narrow exception that lets a driver use one for what purpose?

   Correct answer: Reaching law enforcement or emergency services

   You may use a hand-held phone if it is needed to contact law enforcement or other emergency services.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Cell/Mobile Phones)

8. 8. Within what period must a commercial driver notify their employer after being convicted of a traffic violation, other than parking, in any vehicle?

   Correct answer: Within 30 days

   You must tell your employer within 30 days of a conviction for any traffic offense besides parking, no matter what vehicle you were driving.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

9. 9. What does federal law say about how many driver licenses a commercial driver may hold?

   Correct answer: Only a single license

   You may hold only one license; breaking this rule can bring a fine, jail, and loss of the extra licenses.

   Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

10. 10. When seeking employment as a commercial driver, what record of your past driving jobs must you provide?

    Correct answer: Every driving job held in the past ten years

    You must give the employer details on every driving job you have held during the previous ten years when applying for a commercial driving position.

    Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

11. 11. What does the manual require regarding safety belt use while operating a commercial motor vehicle?

    Correct answer: The driver must wear a properly fastened belt at all times

    At all times behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle you must wear a fastened safety belt; it keeps you in control and lowers the chance of a fatal injury.

    Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 1: Introduction (Other CDL Rules)

12. 12. What is the fine for a first offense under South Carolina's Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act?

    Correct answer: $100

    A first violation of the state's hands-free law carries a $100 fine; later offenses cost $200 and add two points to the record.

    Source: South Carolina CDL Manual — Section 2: Driving Safely (Penalties for the Hands-Free Act)