Thought to be involved in DNA repair and/or mutagenesis. Its processivity is enhanced by the beta sliding clamp (dnaN) and clamp loader (PubMed:1999435, PubMed:1534562). a 2'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate + DNA(n) = diphosphate + DNA(n+1) DNA polymerase II activity is regulated by the lexA gene during the SOS response. Belongs to the DNA polymerase type-B family.