South Dakota Road Signs Test (2026)
Every road sign on the South Dakota exam, with what it means. Free and unlimited.
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What this test covers
This draw of 40 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 17
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 6
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 6
- Sharing the Road — 5
- Adverse Conditions — 2
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Emergencies & Crashes — 1
- Signaling & Communication — 1
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (17 of 40) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
1 are South Dakota-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. The maximum time you should spend in a truck's blind spot while passing is:
- 10 minutes
- As long as you like
- As little as possible — pass through it steadily
- Until it honks
Show answer
Answer: As little as possible — pass through it steadily
Move through a truck's blind spots quickly and steadily when passing.
2. What does this blue sign with a wheelchair symbol indicate?
- A bus stop
- Parking reserved for people with disabilities
- A hospital
- A ramp
Show answer
Answer: Parking reserved for people with disabilities
The blue wheelchair sign marks disabled parking — a valid permit is required.
3. What does this sign warn of?
- A pedestrian or school crossing
- A bus stop
- A hospital
- A playground only
Show answer
Answer: A pedestrian or school crossing
This bright yellow-green sign marks a pedestrian or school crossing — be ready to yield to people crossing.
4. Opposing up/down arrows on a yellow sign warn of:
- A one-way street
- A passing zone
- A parking area
- Two-way traffic ahead — keep right
Show answer
Answer: Two-way traffic ahead — keep right
This warns that the road ahead carries two-way traffic; keep right and don't pass.
5. When entering an interstate from an on-ramp, you should:
- Use the acceleration lane to reach highway speed, then merge into a gap
- Merge slowly below traffic speed
- Stop and wait for a gap
- Enter from the shoulder
Show answer
Answer: Use the acceleration lane to reach highway speed, then merge into a gap
The acceleration lane lets you match highway speed so you can merge smoothly into a gap.
6. What does this blue sign with a white 'H' indicate?
- A hospital nearby
- A highway exit
- A hotel
- A help phone
Show answer
Answer: A hospital nearby
A blue 'H' sign points to a hospital.
7. Before pulling back in after passing, make sure you can see the passed vehicle:
- In your side window
- In your blind spot
- In your rearview mirror
- Nowhere
Show answer
Answer: In your rearview mirror
Return only when the passed vehicle is visible in your rearview mirror.
8. What does this sign warn of?
- Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
- One-way street
- Merging traffic
- Passing lane
Show answer
Answer: Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
Opposing arrows warn of two-way traffic ahead (e.g., a divided highway ending). Keep right.
9. On a divided highway, an emergency vehicle approaches from behind on your side. You should:
- Pull to the right and stop until it passes
- Cross the median
- Stop in the left lane
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Pull to the right and stop until it passes
Pull to the right edge and stop; don't cross a median.
10. Following too closely behind a large truck is dangerous because:
- You can't see ahead and you're in its rear blind spot
- It's loud
- It uses fuel
- It's slow
Show answer
Answer: You can't see ahead and you're in its rear blind spot
Tailgating a truck blocks your view and puts you in its rear No-Zone.
11. Before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors you should:
- Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
- Honk
- Speed up
- Just use your mirrors
Show answer
Answer: Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
Mirrors don't show your blind spot — glance over your shoulder before moving over.
12. In a highway work zone, you should:
- Speed up to get through
- Ignore the cones
- Change lanes rapidly
- Slow down, obey the posted work-zone limit, and watch for workers
Show answer
Answer: Slow down, obey the posted work-zone limit, and watch for workers
Slow down, follow the reduced limit, merge early, and watch for workers and equipment.
13. South Dakota's Move Over law requires that, for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you:
- Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
- Stop in the lane
- Speed up
- Honk
Show answer
Answer: Move over a lane if safe, or slow down
Move over a lane if safe, otherwise slow down.
14. When traffic ahead slows suddenly, having a proper following distance lets you:
- Pass immediately
- Ignore brake lights
- Tailgate safely
- Stop or slow without a rear-end collision
Show answer
Answer: Stop or slow without a rear-end collision
Space ahead gives you time to react and avoid rear-ending the car in front.
15. What does this sign mean?
- No left turn
- No U-turn
- Do not enter
- No right turn
Show answer
Answer: No left turn
This sign prohibits left turns.
16. A safe U-turn requires:
- A clear view of traffic in both directions and no prohibiting sign
- A red light
- A hill
- Heavy traffic
Show answer
Answer: A clear view of traffic in both directions and no prohibiting sign
Only make a U-turn where you can see well both ways and it isn't prohibited.
17. What does this sign mean?
- A hospital
- A bus stop
- A playground
- A pedestrian/school crossing — watch for people
Show answer
Answer: A pedestrian/school crossing — watch for people
This marks a pedestrian or school crossing; be ready to yield to people crossing.
18. What does this hand signal mean?
- Right turn
- Left turn
- Speed up
- Stop or slow
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Left arm straight out = a left turn.
19. What does this sign mean?
- No passing
- A lane is being added — you may not need to merge
- Right lane ends
- The road ends
Show answer
Answer: A lane is being added — you may not need to merge
An added-lane sign means a lane is joining; the added traffic doesn't have to merge immediately.
20. At a crosswalk, if the car ahead of you stops, you should:
- Speed around
- Honk
- Pass it
- Not pass — it may be stopping for a pedestrian you can't see
Show answer
Answer: Not pass — it may be stopping for a pedestrian you can't see
Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; it may be yielding to a pedestrian.
21. A red-and-white striped 'DO NOT ENTER' or 'WRONG WAY' sign is meant to:
- Mark a school
- Guide you to services
- Show distances
- Keep you from driving into oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: Keep you from driving into oncoming traffic
These signs stop you from entering a road the wrong way against traffic.
22. Turning right on red, you must yield to:
- No one
- Only bikes
- Pedestrians and cross traffic before turning
- Only cars
Show answer
Answer: Pedestrians and cross traffic before turning
Right-on-red is allowed after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic.
23. This sign shape warns of:
- A hospital
- A school zone or school crossing
- A railroad crossing
- A dead end
Show answer
Answer: A school zone or school crossing
The pentagon shape marks a school zone or school crossing ahead.
24. What does this orange sign with a bending arrow mean?
- Road closed permanently
- One way
- Merge
- Detour — follow the marked alternate route
Show answer
Answer: Detour — follow the marked alternate route
An orange detour sign directs you along a temporary alternate route.
25. When merging, you should match the speed of highway traffic so you can:
- Force in
- Stop on the ramp
- Blend into a gap smoothly
- Slow everyone down
Show answer
Answer: Blend into a gap smoothly
Matching speed lets you merge into a gap without disrupting traffic.
26. What does this sign mean?
- Trucks are not allowed on this road
- Truck route
- Truck parking
- Weigh station
Show answer
Answer: Trucks are not allowed on this road
A truck with a red slash means trucks are prohibited on that road.
27. In a skid, you should look and steer:
- Where you want the car to go
- Down at the pedals
- At the skid
- At oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: Where you want the car to go
Look and steer toward your intended path to recover from a skid.
28. A motorcycle has the right to use:
- Half a lane
- Only shoulders
- Only bike lanes
- A full lane, like any vehicle
Show answer
Answer: A full lane, like any vehicle
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane — never share it.
29. When roads are wet, you should increase your following distance to:
- The same 3-4 seconds
- More than the normal 3-4 seconds
- Zero
- 1 second
Show answer
Answer: More than the normal 3-4 seconds
Wet roads lengthen stopping distance — leave more than the normal following gap.
30. You are already in an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches with its siren on. You should:
- Stop right where you are
- Clear the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
- Reverse out of the intersection
- Speed up and keep going
Show answer
Answer: Clear the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
Never stop in an intersection — clear it first, then pull to the right edge and stop.
31. At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way?
- The vehicle turning left
- Whoever honks first
- The largest vehicle
- Whoever arrives and stops first
Show answer
Answer: Whoever arrives and stops first
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to come to a complete stop goes first. If two stop at the same time, the one on the right goes.
32. A white sign showing a left-curving arrow above a lane means that lane:
- Must be used to turn left
- Merges right
- Is closed
- Is for parking
Show answer
Answer: Must be used to turn left
A left-turn lane-use sign means that lane may only turn left.
33. If your car goes into a skid, you should:
- Turn the wheel opposite
- Accelerate hard
- Slam on the brakes
- Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Show answer
Answer: Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
Take your foot off the gas and steer where you want to go; avoid slamming the brakes.
34. A pentagon-shaped sign means:
- Hospital
- No passing
- Dead end
- School zone or school crossing
Show answer
Answer: School zone or school crossing
The five-sided pentagon marks a school zone or crossing.
35. As you drink more in a short time, your blood alcohol level:
- Rises, and impairment increases
- Drops
- Stays flat
- Is unaffected by amount
Show answer
Answer: Rises, and impairment increases
More drinks = higher BAC and greater impairment; there is no safe amount before driving.
36. You are following a large truck and cannot see its side mirrors. This means:
- You are at a safe distance
- The driver can still see you
- The truck driver probably cannot see you — drop back
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: The truck driver probably cannot see you — drop back
If you can't see the truck's mirrors, the driver can't see you. Move back so you're visible.
37. A diamond-shaped sign with a truck on a downhill grade warns of:
- A truck stop
- A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
- A weigh station
- A no-truck zone
Show answer
Answer: A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
It warns of a steep downgrade; watch for slow-moving trucks.
38. A flashing yellow traffic light means:
- Stop completely
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- The light is out of order
- Turn left only
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
Flashing yellow means proceed with caution — slow down and be ready to yield.
39. A black-on-white sign of this shape is a:
- Regulatory signs that tell you the law
- Warnings
- Service signs
- Guide signs
Show answer
Answer: Regulatory signs that tell you the law
Black-on-white rectangular signs are regulatory — they tell you a traffic law you must obey (e.g., speed limit).
40. As you exit a parking lot across a sidewalk, a pedestrian is walking on the sidewalk. You must:
- Speed across quickly
- Honk and continue
- Proceed — sidewalk users must yield to cars
- Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Show answer
Answer: Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Vehicles crossing a sidewalk must yield to pedestrians already on it.
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