All 39 South Dakota Permit Test Questions
Every question in our South Dakota bank, with the correct answer and an explanation. Free to read, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock Exams Licensing & Permits In South Dakota, the minimum age for an Instruction Permit is:
Answer: 14
You may obtain an Instruction Permit at 14 (pass vision and knowledge tests).
A South Dakota Instruction Permit is valid for:
Answer: 5 years
The Instruction Permit is valid for five years (or until documents expire).
A South Dakota minor must hold the Instruction Permit continuously for 275 days, or how many with an approved driver ed course?
Answer: 180 days
You must hold the permit 275 days (180 days if you complete an approved driver education course).
With a South Dakota Instruction Permit, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. you must be accompanied by:
Answer: A parent or legal guardian seated beside you
From 10 p.m.–6 a.m. a parent/legal guardian must be seated beside you.
To get a South Dakota Restricted Minor's Permit, you must complete the Instruction Permit requirements, pass the driving test, and have:
Answer: No traffic conviction in the prior six months
You must have no traffic conviction in the six months before applying.
During the first 6 months on a South Dakota Restricted Permit, no passengers are allowed except:
Answer: Immediate family or household members
First 6 months: no passengers except immediate family or household members.
A South Dakota Restricted Minor's Permit automatically converts to an Operator's License upon reaching age:
Answer: 18
At age 18 the Restricted Permit automatically converts to an Operator's License.
A South Dakota applicant under 18 must have:
Answer: Parent/guardian consent
Under-18 applicants need parent/guardian consent.
To be licensed in South Dakota you must pass a:
Answer: Vision test
A vision test is required for licensing.
Alcohol, Drugs & the Law .02 under 21 .08 adult
In South Dakota, a Blood Alcohol Concentration of what or more is evidence of driving under the influence?
Answer: .08%
A BAC of 0.08% or more is evidence of DUI (0.02% if under 21).
.02 under 21 .08 adult
South Dakota's Zero Tolerance law covers under-21 drivers with a BAC of:
Answer: .02% to 0.08%
Under 21, a BAC of 0.02% to 0.08% is a Zero Tolerance violation.
In South Dakota, you give consent to a chemical test whenever you:
Answer: Drive on a public highway
By driving on a public highway you consent to a chemical test (implied consent).
A South Dakota commercial driver is under the influence at a BAC of:
Answer: .04
Commercial drivers are DUI at .04.
In South Dakota, refusing a chemical test can result in:
Answer: A license suspension
Refusing the test triggers a license suspension.
The only thing that lowers your blood alcohol concentration is:
Answer: Time
Only time removes alcohol from your body.
If you plan to drink in South Dakota, the safest choice is to:
Answer: Arrange a sober ride or designated driver
Line up a sober ride before you drink.
Speed Limits & Speed Management In South Dakota, a reflective orange triangle on a vehicle's rear means it is traveling less than:
Answer: 25 mph
The slow-moving-vehicle emblem means under 25 mph.
In South Dakota, at 55 mph you need about how long a gap in oncoming traffic to pass?
Answer: 10 seconds
At 55 mph you need about a 10-second gap (over 1,600 feet) to pass.
In South Dakota, a loaded truck at 55 mph on a dry road needs a minimum stopping distance of about:
Answer: 290 feet
A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 290 feet to stop.
Even at the posted South Dakota limit, in rain, snow, or fog you should:
Answer: Slow down for conditions
Reduce speed for weather and road conditions.
South Dakota notes that even a 25 mph head-on crash has the force of:
Answer: Diving off a three-story building
Even at 25 mph, a head-on crash is like diving off a three-story building.
In rural South Dakota, farm tractors and animal-drawn vehicles usually travel:
Answer: 25 mph or less
Farm tractors and animal-drawn vehicles usually go 25 mph or less.
Sharing the Road
When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren in South Dakota, you should:
Answer: Pull to the right and stop
Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes.
South Dakota's Move Over law requires that, for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you:
Answer: Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
Move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down.
A motorcycle in South Dakota is entitled to:
Answer: A full lane of travel
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
On South Dakota's open highways, you should watch for:
Answer: Wildlife such as deer
Watch for wildlife (deer) on South Dakota's open highways.
In South Dakota's strong prairie crosswinds, you should:
Answer: Keep a firm grip and steer gently
Grip the wheel firmly and correct gently for crosswinds.
Vehicle Equipment South Dakota law requires vehicle occupants to:
Answer: Wear seat belts
Buckle up — South Dakota's seat-belt law is enforced.
If your turn signals fail in South Dakota, you should:
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.
In South Dakota you must use headlights:
Answer: At night and when visibility is reduced
Use headlights at night and whenever visibility is low.
A South Dakota permit holder may not use a wireless/messaging device such as:
Answer: A texting device or laptop while driving
You may not use a messaging device or laptop while driving on a permit.
Signaling & Communication An arm extended straight out the driver's window means:
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
In South Dakota, don't overdrive your headlights, meaning:
Answer: Don't go faster than you can stop within the lit distance
Don't drive faster than you can stop within the range of your headlights.
Safe Driving If you become drowsy while driving in South Dakota, you should:
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
A safe following distance in South Dakota gives you:
Answer: Time to react and avoid a crash
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.
On South Dakota snow or ice, you should:
Answer: Slow down and increase following distance
Reduce speed and leave more room on snow and ice.
Keeping a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead helps you:
Answer: React safely to sudden stops
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending others.
Points & Penalties If you are involved in a crash in South Dakota, you must:
Answer: Stop and give information
Stop and exchange information at any crash.
A South Dakota permit conviction for a traffic violation can delay your:
Answer: Upgrade to a Restricted Minor's Permit
A traffic conviction can delay upgrading to a Restricted Minor's Permit.