Category: South Dakota

Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

South Dakota teens on an instruction permit must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving before upgrading to a Restricted Minor’s Permit, and 10 of those hours must be in inclement weather and another 10 after dark. This checklist covers who can supervise, how to fill in the free DPS log, the affidavit your parent signs, and a plan to fit the weather hours into a South Dakota year.

The South Dakota 50-hour rule in one table

Requirement	Detail
Total supervised hours	At least 50
Inclement weather	10 hours
Night (after dark)	At least 10 hours
Who it applies to	Drivers under 18 with an instruction permit issued after July 1, 2020
When it must be done	Before you apply for the Restricted Minor’s Permit
Proof	Parent or guardian signs the Affidavit of Completion of Required Supervised Driving

The log and the affidavit treat the weather and night hours as separate: 10 of each. The remaining 30 can be any driving. Source: SDCL 32-12-11 and the DPS Supervised Driving Log.

Who can supervise a South Dakota permit driver?

• A parent or legal guardian, or a licensed driver over 18 with at least one year of driving experience.
• They must sit in the seat beside you.
• Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., state law requires that person to be your parent or guardian (SDCL 32-12-11). Plan your night hours for the early evening if another adult is supervising.

Even though other adults can supervise, only a parent or legal guardian can sign the affidavit.

How to fill in the DPS Supervised Driving Log

The official form (Rev. 04-22-21) is a one-page table. For each drive record:

1. the date
2. minutes in inclement weather
3. minutes at night
4. minutes in daytime
5. skills practiced

The form records minutes, not hours, so convert at the end: you need at least 3,000 minutes in total, including 600 in inclement weather and 600 at night. Print more copies as you fill them. DPS calls the log a tool to record your hours. The signed affidavit is the document it asks for at the upgrade.

Tips for an honest, useful log

• Fill it in straight after each drive while the minutes are accurate.
• Count a drive in one column only. If it was dark and snowing, decide which total you still need and record it there.
• Use the “skills practiced” column to spot gaps before the drive test, for example no parking practice yet.

What counts as inclement weather in South Dakota?

Neither the statute nor the DPS forms define it. Rain, snow, sleet, fog and strong wind are the obvious conditions. If you are unsure whether a drive counts, ask DPS on (605) 773-6883. Whatever you count, practice the skills the manual stresses for winter:

• drive well below the posted limit on snow and ice, since limits are set for dry summer pavement
• increase following distance and brake gently
• never use cruise control on slippery roads
• be extra careful in the first storm of the season

More technique: how to drive in snow, fog and rain.

A plan for your 50 hours

Your permit lasts at least 275 days (180 with driver’s ed), so you have time. A simple split:

Block	Hours	Focus
Quiet streets and parking lots	About 10	Control, steering, smooth stops, parking
Town and city traffic	About 10	Intersections, four-way stops, signals, pedestrians
Highways and rural roads	About 10	Merging, passing, gravel, narrow bridges, deer
Night	10 (required)	Headlight use, dusk and dawn deer watch
Inclement weather	10 (required)	Rain, snow, reduced speed, longer gaps

Only the night and weather rows are legal minimums. The others are a suggested mix. The manual notes deer are most active at dusk and dawn, and October and November have the most car and deer crashes, which makes autumn evenings useful practice. DPS also suggests parents commit to 100 hours of supervised instruction, about two hours a week for a year.

Signing the affidavit

• The parent or guardian certifies the 50 hours, including 10 in inclement weather and 10 after dark.
• It must be signed in front of a notary public or a South Dakota driver license examiner.
• If your parent comes with you to the upgrade, they can sign at the exam station. Otherwise get it notarized first, along with the Parental Consent Form.

Then book the upgrade: South Dakota drive test and when driver’s ed waives it.

Common questions

Do I need the 50 hours if I take driver’s ed in South Dakota?

Driver’s ed shortens the permit period and can waive the tests, but the DPS teen flyer’s only exception to the 50 hours is a permit issued before July 1, 2020. Plan to log them.

Can a grandparent or older sibling supervise?

Yes, if they are over 18, hold a valid license and have at least a year of driving experience. Only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., though, and only your parent or guardian can sign the affidavit.

Can night and weather hours overlap?

The forms list 10 inclement weather hours and “another” 10 night hours, so record them separately and make sure each total reaches 10 on its own.

Do I hand in the log?

DPS asks for the signed affidavit at the upgrade. Keep the log anyway as your record of the hours your parent is certifying.

My permit was issued before July 1, 2020. Do I need 50 hours?

No. The requirement applies to permits issued after that date.

How do other states compare?

See supervised driving hours by state.

Back to the roadmap: learning to drive in South Dakota. Permit basics: South Dakota instruction permit test at 14. What comes next: South Dakota restricted minor’s permit rules.

Sources

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Supervised Driving Log” (Rev. 04-22-21) (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Affidavit of Completion of Required Supervised Driving” (Rev. 04-22-2021) (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver Licensing Information for Teen Drivers and Parents” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Teen Driver Graduated Licensing” flyer, effective 7/1/2025 (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Manual” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Legislature, “Codified Law 32-12-11” (sdlegislature.gov)

Photo: Riche23, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A South Dakota Restricted Minor’s Permit lets you drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with your parent’s permission, with no non-family passengers for the first 6 months and no phone use at all. This post sets out every restriction in South Dakota law, the exceptions for school, church, work and farm driving, and what happens if you break the rules.

Who can get a Restricted Minor’s Permit in South Dakota?

• Age 14 to 17.
• Held an instruction permit for 275 days, or 180 days after passing approved driver’s ed (permits issued on or after July 1, 2020).
• Completed 50 supervised hours, including 10 in inclement weather and 10 after dark, signed off by a parent or guardian.
• No traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
• Passed the drive test, unless approved driver’s ed within the last year waives it.
• Parent or guardian consent and the $38 fee (as of November 2026).

Permits issued before July 1, 2020 had shorter holding periods (180 days, or 90 with driver’s ed) and no 50-hour rule. How the upgrade test works: South Dakota drive test and when driver’s ed waives it.

What time can a South Dakota restricted permit holder drive?

Time	Rule
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.	Drive alone, with your parent or guardian’s permission
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.	Only with your parent or legal guardian in the seat beside you, unless an exception applies

The statute sets these hours in standard time (SDCL 32-12-12).

Exceptions to the 10 p.m. limit

You may drive alone after 10 p.m. when taking the most direct route to or from:

• school or a school event
• church or a church event (the statute says any religious worship service or meeting of a religious organization)
• work, including travel in connection with a job

The time limits also do not apply when you are driving self-propelled agricultural machinery that does not need registration, or doing farm-related work.

Scenario: late shift

You finish work at 11 p.m. Driving straight home is allowed. Stopping at a friend’s house on the way is not, because it is no longer the most direct route from work.

South Dakota restricted permit passenger rules

Time on the permit	Passengers allowed when driving without a parent
First 6 months	Only immediate family or members of your household
After 6 months	No more than one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family or a household member

The passenger limits do not apply when you are accompanied by your parent or guardian, or by a passenger who is at least 18, has a year of driving experience and lives in your household (SDCL 32-12-12.5).

The DPS teen page summarizes the later rule as “only ONE passenger” outside your family or household. If you plan to carry adult friends, check with DPS first. DPS also advises parents to ban passengers for the first year.

Phones and other restrictions

• No wireless communication devices: no phone, texting device or anything that sends or receives messages while driving. Police enforce this as a secondary offense, meaning they need another reason to stop you first (SDCL 32-12-12.4). Texting is banned for all drivers regardless. See hands-free and texting laws.
• Carry the permit: you must have it in your immediate physical possession while driving.
• Vehicle weight: nothing over 20,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, except unregistered agricultural machinery (SDCL 32-12-13).
• Restricted vehicle types: no vehicles carrying a sawmill, used for mining or logging transport, or used in road building or off-farm dam and dugout construction (SDCL 32-12-14).
• Seatbelts: everyone under 18 must be belted, front and back.

Your license shows restriction code R (restricted permit, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.).

Penalties for South Dakota permit holders

Permits are issued on a probationary basis. For violations committed before your 16th birthday on an instruction or restricted permit (SDCL 32-12-15):

Offense	Suspension
First Class 2 misdemeanor traffic conviction	30 days
First violation of permit conditions (for example driving after hours or carrying extra passengers)	30 days
Second traffic conviction or second permit violation	180 days or until 16, whichever is longer
Felony or Class 1 misdemeanor traffic conviction	180 days or until 16, whichever is longer

After a first-offense suspension you apply for a duplicate license at an exam station. For a felony or Class 1 misdemeanor, a reinstatement fee applies. A conviction in the 6 months before you apply also delays your operator’s license, and points count as for any driver: see how license points work. Under-21 alcohol rules: zero tolerance laws.

Separately, the parent who signed for you can ask DPS in writing to cancel your permit or license while you are under 18.

When do the restrictions end?

At 16 you can upgrade to an operator’s license once you have held the restricted permit for 6 months and had no traffic convictions for 6 months. If your permit is federally compliant, you can do it online or by mail. If you do nothing, the permit converts to an operator’s license at 18.

Common questions

Can I drive to a friend’s house at 11 p.m. on a South Dakota restricted permit?

Only with your parent or guardian beside you. The after-10 p.m. exceptions cover school, church, work and farm travel only.

Does the 6-month passenger ban start when I get the restricted permit?

Yes. The statute counts the first six months of holding the restricted permit. The DPS page says it runs from the initial issuance date.

Can my brother or sister ride with me?

Yes. Immediate family and household members are always allowed.

Can I use GPS on my phone?

The law bans any type of wireless communication device while driving. Do not handle your phone at all.

Can I drive my family’s farm truck?

Ag machinery not subject to registration is exempt from the hours and weight limits. A registered truck over 20,000 pounds is not allowed.

Can I drive in other states on a South Dakota restricted permit?

Rules differ by state. See driving with a permit in another state.

Full roadmap: learning to drive in South Dakota. How other states compare: GDL laws by state.

Sources

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver Licensing Information for Teen Drivers and Parents” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Teen Driver Graduated Licensing” flyer, effective 7/1/2025 (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Manual” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Upgrade South Dakota Restricted Minor’s Driving Permit” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Testing Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver License/ID Card Fees” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Legislature, “Codified Laws 32-12-12, 32-12-12.4, 32-12-12.5, 32-12-13, 32-12-14 and 32-12-15” (sdlegislature.gov)

Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In South Dakota the drive test is the step between your instruction permit and your Restricted Minor’s Permit, and you skip it entirely if you passed an approved driver education class within the last year. This post is for South Dakota teens deciding whether to take driver’s ed and for anyone booking the drive test: when you can book, what to bring, how it is scored and what makes you wait 30 days to retest.

Key facts (South Dakota, as of November 2026)

• Book the drive test from day 276 of your permit, or day 181 with approved driver’s ed.
• Pass mark: 80%.
• Driver’s ed passed within the last year waives the drive test (and the knowledge test).
• All drive tests need an appointment. You supply a street-legal vehicle.
• Serious errors mean a 30-day wait before your next drive test.

Does driver’s ed waive the South Dakota drive test?

Yes, if the timing works. DPS states that the drive test is not required to upgrade to a Restricted Minor’s Permit if you passed an approved driver education class within the last year, and that driver education certificates waive testing for one year from the course completion date.

	No driver’s ed	Approved driver’s ed
Knowledge test for the permit	Required	Waived (certificate within 1 year)
Minimum permit holding period	275 days	180 days
Drive test for the restricted permit	Required	Waived (course within 1 year)
50 supervised hours	Required	Required (the DPS flyer’s only exception is a permit issued before July 1, 2020)

What counts as passing: 80% or better on both the written and the driving parts of a course approved by the South Dakota Department of Education. An out-of-state course can qualify once the state Driver Education Coordinator approves it on the notarized Out-of-State Driver Education form, and you must apply within one year of finishing the classroom part.

Watch the one-year clock

The certificate is good for one year from completion. If you finish driver’s ed early in your permit period, check that day 181 of your permit falls before the certificate expires. If it lapses, plan on taking the drive test.

DPS recommends booking an upgrade appointment once you have passed approved driver’s ed.

How to book the South Dakota drive test

1. Wait until you are eligible: day 276 of your permit, or day 181 with driver’s ed.
2. Finish your 50 supervised hours (10 inclement weather, 10 night) and have no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.
3. Schedule online through DPS or call (605) 773-6883 and press 6. Walk-in drive tests are not offered.
4. Avoid the Sioux Falls Express Station: it does not test. Use the main Sioux Falls exam station.

The manual says no drive tests are given from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or within an hour of closing. Check current times when you book.

What to bring

• Your instruction permit.
• Two documents proving your address (a parent’s mail is fine).
• Your parent or guardian, who signs consent and the Supervised Driving Affidavit (or the notarized versions of both forms).
• A street-legal, licensed vehicle in safe working order.
• The $38 fee.

No pets or passengers are allowed in the car during the test, and children and pets are not allowed in the testing area. The examiner may cancel a drive test if weather or road conditions are unsafe.

What is on the South Dakota drive test?

DPS describes it as a demonstration that you can safely operate a vehicle and perform normal driving tasks. You will not be asked to do anything illegal, and you must cooperate fully with the examiner and follow instructions. Ask DPS what your test includes, and practice everything the manual covers:

• pre-drive checks of lights, signals, mirrors, seat and seatbelt
• signaling at least 100 feet before turns and checking blind spots by turning your head
• full stops at stop signs and stop lines, right on red only after a full stop
• speed control for the posted limit and conditions
• lane changes and safe following distance
• yielding to pedestrians and at four-way stops
• parking, including parallel parking within 12 inches of the curb, and backing
• turnabouts, and U-turns only where legal

Guides that help: US parking rules, four-way stops, US road tests by state.

What makes you wait 30 days to retest

Normally you can retest from the next working day, with three attempts per fee in 6 months. But DPS makes you wait 30 days if you commit any of these:

• a crash during the test (unless you are not at fault)
• poor car control
• weaving in and out of lanes
• failing to yield to a car or pedestrian
• running a stop light or stop sign
• excessive speeding
• turning into an oncoming lane
• driving on the wrong side of the road
• any action that puts the public or the examiner at risk

More on avoidable fails: why people fail the driving test.

Common questions

Do I need a drive test for my South Dakota operator’s license at 16?

Not normally. Once you hold a Restricted Minor’s Permit, upgrading at 16 needs 6 months on that permit and a clean 6 months, not a new drive test. You can even upgrade online or by mail if your permit is federally compliant.

Can I use my parent’s car for the test?

Yes, if it is street legal (licensed) and safe. You must provide the vehicle yourself.

Can my parent ride along during the test?

No. Passengers and pets are not allowed in the car during the test.

What score do I need?

80% or higher.

Is driver’s ed worth it in South Dakota?

It saves 95 days on your permit and can remove both state tests, as long as you use the certificate within a year. It is not required.

I am 18 or older. Do I take a drive test?

Yes. Adults on an instruction permit must pass a drive test before upgrading to an operator’s license.

Next stage: South Dakota restricted minor’s permit rules. Full roadmap: learning to drive in South Dakota. Permit stage: South Dakota instruction permit test at 14.

Sources

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver Licensing Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver Licensing Information for Teen Drivers and Parents” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Testing Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “DPS Driver License/ID Card Appointment Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Teen Driver Graduated Licensing” flyer, effective 7/1/2025 (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Manual” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Out-of-State Driver Education Program Approval” form (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Legislature, “Codified Law 32-12-12” (sdlegislature.gov)

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To get a South Dakota instruction permit at 14, you pass a vision test and a knowledge test at a driver exam station, bring your documents and a parent, and pay $38. You need 80% to pass the knowledge test, and an approved driver’s ed certificate from the last year lets you skip it. This guide covers booking, the test, the waiver and what the permit lets you do.

Key facts (South Dakota, as of November 2026)

• Minimum age: 14.
• Tests: vision and knowledge. Knowledge test pass mark: 80%.
• Fee: $38 (SDCL 32-12-16). It covers up to three test attempts within 6 months.
• Appointment required for any test visit: online via DPS or (605) 773-6883.
• No sample tests from DPS. Study the South Dakota Driver License Manual (English or Spanish).

What to bring to the South Dakota permit appointment

• A certified birth certificate issued by the state or county where you were born, with a stamp or raised seal. Hospital certificates are not accepted. A valid US passport or another listed identity document also works.
• Your original Social Security card (or another listed SSN document such as a W-2).
• Two documents proving your South Dakota address, less than a year old, such as a utility bill, bank statement or school report card. A parent’s mail is fine, but the accompanying parent’s name must be on it.
• A completed application form, signed by hand (no digital or stamped signatures).
• Your parent or guardian, or the notarized Parental Consent Form if they cannot come.
• Your driver’s ed certificate, if you want the knowledge test waived.

Photocopies are not accepted. If you want the permit to be federally compliant for a later online upgrade, see REAL ID and your first driver’s license.

How the South Dakota knowledge test works

The test covers traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices, all taken from the Driver License Manual. State law requires the exam to test your ability to read and understand regulatory, warning and direction signs and your knowledge of South Dakota traffic laws (SDCL 32-12-4).

Check the number of questions with DPS on (605) 773-6883 if you want to know before your appointment. What DPS publishes:

• You need 80% or higher to pass.
• If you fail, you cannot retest before the next working day.
• Your $38 covers three attempts within 6 months. After that, you pay again.
• Anyone caught cheating must wait at least two weeks before testing again.
• Children and pets are not allowed in the testing area.

The manual ends with a 10-question “Test Your Knowledge” quiz with answers. It is the only official practice material.

What to study in the South Dakota manual

The manual says you cannot pass without knowing its contents. Focus on the sections with hard facts the test can ask about:

Topic	South Dakota facts to know
Signs	Shapes and colors: warning signs are yellow diamonds, regulatory signs are white, stop signs have eight sides
Signals	Right on red after a full stop unless signed; flashing red means stop; red arrow means no turn until it goes out
Pavement markings	A yellow dashed line on your side means passing is allowed from your side
Right-of-way	At a four-way stop, if you arrive together, yield to the driver on your right
Turning	Signal at least 100 feet before an intersection
Move over	Stop for red-light emergency vehicles; move over or slow 20 mph below the limit for amber, yellow or blue lights
Bicycles	3 feet passing room at 35 mph or less, 6 feet above 35 mph
Alcohol	0.08% BAC limit; 0.02% for under-21s; refusing a test can cost your license for a year
Points	15 points in 12 months or 22 in 24 months can mean suspension

Background guides: US road signs by shape and color, traffic signals, road lines, four-way stops.

The vision test

If you wear glasses or contacts for the vision test, you must wear them whenever you drive (restriction code B). If you fail, you need a statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist saying you can see well enough to drive before the exam continues.

Driver’s ed waiver for the South Dakota permit test

The knowledge test is waived if you show a certificate proving you passed an approved driver education course within the last year. Courses approved by the South Dakota Department of Education count, and so can an out-of-state course once the state Driver Education Coordinator approves it on the Out-of-State Driver Education form. That form must be notarized.

“Passed” means 80% or better on both the written and driving parts of the course. The same certificate also cuts your permit holding period from 275 to 180 days and can waive the drive test later. See South Dakota drive test and when driver’s ed waives it.

What the South Dakota instruction permit allows

• Driving only with a supervisor seated beside you: a licensed driver over 18 with at least one year of driving experience.
• Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., the person beside you must be your parent or guardian (SDCL 32-12-11).
• No use of any wireless communication device while driving, including phones and anything that sends or receives messages.
• The permit is valid for 5 years.

Next, start the 50 hours of practice you need before upgrading: South Dakota 50 hour practice log.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to take the permit test in South Dakota?

14. Applicants under 14 cannot be licensed.

Can I take the South Dakota permit test online?

DPS says first-time permit applicants must visit a driver licensing location in person, and every test visit needs an appointment. The Sioux Falls Express Station does not offer testing, so use the main Sioux Falls exam station.

What score do you need to pass?

80% or higher.

What if I fail the South Dakota permit test?

Retest from the next working day. Your fee covers three attempts within 6 months.

Are there official practice tests?

No. DPS says it does not provide pre-tests or sample tests. Use the manual and its 10-question quiz.

Is a parent required at the test?

A parent or guardian must consent, either in person or on the notarized Parental Consent Form.

Can I use a phone for navigation on my permit?

The rule bans “any type” of wireless communication device while driving. Set any route before you start and do not handle the phone.

Back to the full roadmap: learning to drive in South Dakota. Other states: US permit tests by state.

Sources

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver Licensing Information for Teen Drivers and Parents” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Teen Driver Graduated Licensing” flyer, effective 7/1/2025 (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Manual” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Testing Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver License/ID Card Fees” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “DPS Driver License/ID Card Appointment Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Out-of-State Driver Education Program Approval” form (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Legislature, “Codified Laws 32-12-2, 32-12-4, 32-12-11 and 32-12-16” (sdlegislature.gov)

Photo: Adam Moss, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In South Dakota you can get an instruction permit at 14, drive alone on a Restricted Minor’s Permit at about 14 and a half to 14 and three quarters, and get a full operator’s license at 16. This guide is for South Dakota teens and parents: it lays out each stage, the tests, the fees and the rules, and links to the detailed post on each step.

Key facts (South Dakota, as of November 2026)

• Instruction permit from age 14, after vision and knowledge tests (the knowledge test is waived with an approved driver’s ed certificate).
• Hold the permit 275 days, or 180 days if you passed an approved driver education course.
• 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 in inclement weather and 10 after dark, before the Restricted Minor’s Permit.
• Restricted Minor’s Permit: drive alone 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with parent permission; no non-family passengers for the first 6 months.
• Operator’s license at 16 after at least 6 months on the restricted permit and 6 months with no traffic convictions.
• Fee: $38 each for the instruction permit, restricted permit and driver license (SDCL 32-12-16 and the DPS fee page).
• Knowledge test and drive test pass mark: 80%.

The South Dakota teen license stages at a glance

Stage	Earliest age	How long	Main limits
Instruction permit	14	275 days (180 with driver’s ed)	Licensed adult with 1+ year of experience seated beside you; no wireless devices
Restricted Minor’s Permit	14, after the permit stage	At least 6 months; converts to an operator’s license at 18	Alone 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; passenger limits; no wireless devices
Operator’s license	16	Valid 5 years	No teen restrictions

Every application by an under-18 needs a parent or guardian’s consent, given in person at the exam station or on the notarized Parental Consent Form.

Step 1: Get a South Dakota instruction permit at 14

1. Book an appointment. All visits that need a test must be scheduled, online through the DPS Driver Licensing site or by calling (605) 773-6883.
2. Bring a certified birth certificate (not a hospital certificate), your original Social Security card and two pieces of mail proving your South Dakota address. The mail can be in your parent’s name.
3. Pass the vision test and the knowledge test, or show an approved driver’s ed certificate dated within the last year to skip the knowledge test.
4. Pay $38.

Test details, study tips and the waiver: South Dakota instruction permit test at 14. How the test compares with other states: US permit tests by state.

Step 2: Log 50 hours of supervised practice

For permits issued after July 1, 2020, you must drive at least 50 hours with a supervisor before upgrading: 10 hours in inclement weather and at least 10 hours at night. Your supervisor must hold a valid license, be over 18 and have at least a year of driving experience, and sit beside you. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. state law requires the person beside you to be your parent or guardian (SDCL 32-12-11).

A parent or guardian signs the Supervised Driving Affidavit at the upgrade. Use the free DPS log to track minutes: South Dakota 50 hour practice log. Other states’ hour rules: supervised driving hours by state.

Step 3: Upgrade to a Restricted Minor’s Permit

You can book the upgrade on day 276 of your permit, or day 181 if you passed approved driver’s ed. You need:

• the 50 hours and the signed affidavit
• no traffic convictions in the last 6 months
• parent or guardian consent
• a pass on the drive test, unless you passed an approved driver education class within the last year
• your instruction permit, driver’s ed certificate if you have one, two address documents and the $38 fee

What happens on the drive test and how the waiver works: South Dakota drive test and when driver’s ed waives it.

What can you do on a South Dakota restricted permit?

• Drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with your parent or guardian’s permission.
• From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., drive only with a parent or legal guardian beside you, unless you are taking the most direct route to or from school or a school event, church or a church event, or work, or are driving unregistered ag machinery or doing farm work.
• First 6 months: no passengers except immediate family or household members. After that: no more than one non-family passenger under 18.
• No wireless communication devices at all while driving.

Exceptions, vehicle limits and penalties: South Dakota restricted minor’s permit rules. National comparison: GDL laws by state.

Step 4: Get your unrestricted operator’s license at 16

• Be at least 16.
• Have held the Restricted Minor’s Permit for at least 6 months.
• Have no traffic convictions in the 6 months before you apply.
• Have a parent or guardian’s consent.
• Pay $38 (DPS prorates the fee if you are 17 or older).

If your restricted permit is federally compliant (REAL ID) you can upgrade online or by mail instead of visiting. The eyesight test is waived for these upgrades (SDCL 32-12-12.3). Online card payments carry a processing fee. If you never upgrade, the restricted permit converts to an operator’s license at 18. REAL ID documents: REAL ID and your first driver’s license.

How a South Dakota teen can lose a permit

Permits are probationary. If you are under 16, a first traffic conviction or a first breach of permit rules means a 30-day suspension. A second one, or any felony or Class 1 misdemeanor, means 180 days or until your 16th birthday, whichever is longer. A parent who signed for you can also ask DPS to cancel your permit or license while you are under 18.

What the South Dakota Driver License Manual covers

The knowledge test comes from the South Dakota Driver License Manual, available in English and Spanish from DPS. DPS does not offer sample tests. The manual’s sections, with our related guides:

Manual section	Topics	Read next
The Driver’s License	Requirements, permits, tests, renewal, loss of privileges, insurance, point system	How license points work
Be in Shape to Drive	Vision, fatigue, distractions, alcohol and drugs	Zero tolerance under 21, implied consent, drugged driving
Before You Drive	Vehicle checks, seat and mirrors, seatbelts, child passenger laws	Seat belt and car seat laws
Rules of the Road	Right-of-way, signals, signs, pavement markings	Traffic signals, road signs, road lines, four-way stops
General Driving	Turns, roundabouts, intersections, school buses, parking, interstates, traffic stops	Roundabouts, school buses, parking, merging onto a freeway
Safe Driving Tips	Visual search, speed, stopping distance, space cushion	Speed limits
Emergencies and Crashes	Avoiding crashes, breakdowns, what to do after a crash	After a car accident
Sharing the Road	Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, trucks, emergency and slow vehicles	Trucks, bikes and motorcycles, pedestrians, move over laws
Special Situations	Night driving, work zones, winter driving, rural roads	Snow, fog and rain

South Dakota rules worth knowing before the test

• Move over: stop completely for a stopped emergency vehicle showing red lights before passing it. For stopped vehicles with amber, yellow or blue lights, move to the far lane at least 300 feet before on multi-lane roads, or on two-lane roads slow to at least 20 mph under the limit (SDCL 32-31-6.1).
• Phones: texting, reading texts and social networking while driving are banned for everyone. Permit holders may not use any wireless device.
• Seatbelts: everyone under 18 must buckle up in front and back seats. Drivers and front-seat passengers of any age must too.
• Bicycles: leave at least 3 feet when passing where the limit is 35 mph or less, and 6 feet above 35 mph (SDCL 32-26-26.1).
• Signal: at least 100 feet before an intersection.
• Right on red: allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.
• Rural and winter hazards: the manual covers gravel roads, narrow and single-lane bridges, and deer, which are most active at dusk and dawn and most often hit in October and November. At a narrow or single-lane bridge, take turns: the first driver to reach it usually goes first.
• School buses: stop for a bus with red lights flashing or its stop arm out, from either direction, unless a physical barrier separates the roadway. Go on slowly only once the lights stop and the arm is in.
• Snowplows: on roads posted 35 mph or more, stay at least 200 feet behind a plow showing red or amber lights.
• Following distance: the manual asks for at least 4 seconds, more in bad weather, plus at least one extra second at night.
• Work zones: slow down even when no workers are present; speeding fines in a work zone may be doubled.
• Child seats: a child under 5 must ride in a child restraint, unless the child weighs at least 40 pounds and wears a seatbelt (SDCL 32-37-1). Every passenger under 18 must be belted in any seat.
• Crashes: stop at any crash you are involved in, and call police if anyone is hurt or killed. If you hit an unattended vehicle and can’t find the owner, leave a note with your details and contact the nearest law enforcement agency.
• Insurance: owners must carry proof of financial responsibility in the vehicle. Driving without it is a Class 2 misdemeanor with a license suspension of 30 days to a year and 3 years of SR22 filing.

Common questions

Can you drive alone at 14 in South Dakota?

Not at 14 exactly. You need to hold the instruction permit 275 days (180 with driver’s ed) and pass the restricted permit requirements first. The earliest solo driving is about 14 and a half with driver’s ed.

Is driver’s ed required in South Dakota?

No. An approved course is optional, but it cuts the permit period to 180 days and can waive the knowledge test and the drive test if you use the certificate within a year.

How much does a South Dakota permit cost?

$38 as of November 2026, the same as the restricted permit and the operator’s license. Older copies of the manual list $28, which is out of date.

How does the South Dakota point system work?

Reaching 15 points in 12 months, or 22 in 24 months, can bring a suspension: 60 days the first time, 6 months the second and a year after that. DWI carries 10 points (and a mandatory revocation), reckless driving 8, eluding and drag racing 6, failing to yield, improper passing and wrong-side driving 4, a stop sign or light violation 3, and other moving violations 2. The manual says speeding, parking and equipment violations carry no points, but a teen’s permit suspension rules still apply to any traffic conviction.

What happens if a South Dakota driver is caught drinking and driving?

Under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or more is a Class 2 misdemeanor with a fine and a 30-day loss of license. At 0.08% or more, a first DWI is a Class 1 misdemeanor with a minimum 30-day license loss, and refusing a test can cost you your license for a year.

Do I have to be a South Dakota resident?

Yes. You need a physical South Dakota address, proved with two documents less than a year old. Full-time travelers have a separate process.

Does my parent have to come with me?

Under-18 applicants must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, or bring the notarized Parental Consent Form.

I am moving to South Dakota with a license. How long do I have?

90 days after you establish residency (30 days for a CDL). If your out-of-state license is valid, no tests are needed unless you hold a hazardous materials endorsement; you surrender the old license and bring the usual documents. Register any vehicle you bring in within 90 days too.

I am moving to South Dakota with a permit. What happens?

Contact DPS about your situation. Out-of-state driver’s ed can be approved through the Out-of-State Driver Education form. More: transferring your license to another state and driving on a permit in another state.

Starting from scratch on how US licensing works? See how to get a driver’s license in the US.

Sources

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver Licensing Information for Teen Drivers and Parents” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Teen Driver Graduated Licensing” flyer, effective 7/1/2025 (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Manual” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver Licensing Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver License/ID Card Fees” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Testing Information” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Upgrade South Dakota Restricted Minor’s Driving Permit” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Legislature, “Codified Laws 32-12-11, 32-12-12, 32-12-12.3, 32-12-12.5, 32-12-15 and 32-12-16” (sdlegislature.gov)

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This free South Dakota permit practice test has 30 original questions written from the South Dakota Driver License Manual and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) teen driver rules. You need 80% to pass the real knowledge test, so aim for at least 24 of 30 here. The questions are unofficial practice, not DPS questions, and every answer is explained.

What to know before you start

• Pass mark on the real test: 80% (DPS).
• This set is not timed or sized to match the real test, so ask DPS how many questions it has.
• You can take the test from age 14, by appointment at a driver exam station. An approved driver education certificate from the last year can waive it.
• The only official practice material is the short quiz at the end of the manual. Use this set alongside it.

How the test day works, what to bring and the $38 fee: South Dakota instruction permit test at 14.

Road signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 9)

1. A red sign with eight sides always means:

• A. Do not enter
• B. Slow down for a school zone
• C. Yield to traffic on the right
• D. Stop completely, then go when it is safe

Answer: D. Only STOP signs are octagons. Stop at the line, crosswalk or sign, then yield. Manual topic: regulatory signs.

2. A red and white triangle pointing down tells you to:

• A. Slow down and yield the right of way, stopping if needed
• B. Turn right only
• C. Stop and wait for a green light
• D. Merge without slowing

Answer: A. That is a YIELD sign. Let traffic and pedestrians with the right of way go first. Manual topic: regulatory signs.

3. Most warning signs in South Dakota are:

• A. Yellow diamonds with black symbols
• B. White rectangles with black letters
• C. Green rectangles
• D. Blue squares

Answer: A. Yellow diamonds warn of curves, crossings, animals and other hazards ahead. Manual topic: warning signs.

4. A round yellow sign with an X and two letters R means:

• A. Road repairs ahead
• B. Rest area ahead
• C. A railroad crossing is ahead
• D. Two roads cross ahead

Answer: C. The round advance sign warns you a railroad crossing is coming. The white X-shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself. Manual topic: railroad signs.

5. A flashing yellow traffic light means:

• A. Slow down and proceed with caution
• B. The light is broken, so treat it as green
• C. Stop and wait for green
• D. Turn left only

Answer: A. A flashing yellow signal is a caution signal. You do not need to stop unless traffic requires it. Manual topic: traffic signals.

6. A steady yellow arrow over your turn lane means:

• A. Speed up to finish the turn
• B. The protection of the green arrow is ending; prepare to stop
• C. Turning is banned
• D. You now have a protected turn

Answer: B. The manual says a yellow arrow means the green arrow’s protection is ending. Stop if you can do so safely. Manual topic: traffic signals.

7. You reach a steady red light and want to turn right. No sign forbids it. You must:

• A. Sound your horn and turn
• B. Stop completely, check for pedestrians and traffic, then turn when safe
• C. Turn without stopping if the way is clear
• D. Wait for the light to turn green

Answer: B. South Dakota allows right on red after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Yield to pedestrians first. Manual topic: turns.

8. A yellow dashed center line on your side of the road means:

• A. You are on a one-way road
• B. Passing is never allowed
• C. The lane is for turning only
• D. Passing is allowed from your side when it is safe

Answer: D. Broken yellow lines on your side allow passing when the road ahead is clear. A solid line on your side means no passing. Manual topic: pavement markings.

9. A sign shows a minimum speed. What does that mean?

• A. It applies only at night
• B. It applies only to trucks
• C. It is a suggestion only
• D. You must drive at least that fast in normal conditions, or use another road

Answer: D. The manual says you must travel at least the minimum so you are not a hazard. If it is too fast for you, take another road. Manual topic: speed signs.

Right of way, turns and intersections (questions 10 to 14)

10. You and another driver arrive at a four-way stop at the same time. The other car is on your right. Who goes first?

• A. The car on your right
• B. You do, because you are on the left
• C. Whoever signals first
• D. Whoever is turning

Answer: A. When drivers arrive together, yield to the driver on your right. Manual topic: right of way.

11. How far before a turn must you signal in South Dakota?

• A. Only when other cars are present
• B. At least 50 feet
• C. At least 100 feet
• D. At least 25 feet

Answer: C. Signal at least 100 feet before the intersection. At higher speeds, 4 to 5 seconds of signal is better. Manual topic: signaling.

12. You are entering a road from a private driveway. You must:

• A. Yield only to trucks
• B. Yield to traffic already on the road
• C. Expect traffic to stop for you
• D. Honk and pull out

Answer: B. Drivers entering from a driveway or private road yield to traffic on the highway. Manual topic: right of way.

13. You are on an entrance ramp joining an interstate. Who has the right of way?

• A. You do
• B. Drivers already on the interstate
• C. Whoever is faster
• D. Trucks only

Answer: B. Traffic already on a limited access or interstate highway has the right of way over ramp traffic. Match speed and merge into a gap. Manual topic: right of way.

14. Which way does traffic flow in a roundabout?

• A. Either way
• B. It depends on the time of day
• C. Clockwise
• D. Counterclockwise

Answer: D. Roundabouts keep traffic moving one way, counterclockwise. Yield to traffic already in the circle. Manual topic: roundabouts.

Speed, space and passing (questions 15 to 17)

15. What minimum following distance does the South Dakota manual recommend?

• A. 2 seconds
• B. 8 seconds
• C. 1 second
• D. 4 seconds

Answer: D. Keep at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead, and more in bad conditions. Manual topic: following distance.

16. When must you dim your high beams for an oncoming vehicle?

• A. Within 100 feet
• B. Within 1,000 feet
• C. Only on interstates
• D. Within 500 feet

Answer: D. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and use low beams when closer than 500 feet behind another vehicle. Manual topic: night driving.

17. You want to pass a bicycle on a road with a 30 mph limit. How much space must you leave?

• A. At least 3 feet
• B. At least 1 foot
• C. No set amount
• D. At least 6 feet

Answer: A. South Dakota requires at least 3 feet at 35 mph or less, and at least 6 feet above 35 mph. Manual topic: sharing the road with bicycles.

Sharing the road: buses, emergency vehicles and trains (questions 18 to 20)

18. A school bus ahead has its red lights flashing and stop arm out. The road has no physical barrier between you and the bus. You must:

• A. Pass slowly on the left
• B. Stop only if you are behind the bus
• C. Stop, and wait until the lights stop and the arm is folded back
• D. Slow to 20 mph

Answer: C. You must stop for a school bus with red lights flashing or stop arm out unless the roadway is separated by a physical barrier. Then go slowly and watch for children. Manual topic: school buses.

19. On a two-lane highway you see a stopped highway patrol car with flashing lights on the shoulder. You must:

• A. Keep your speed
• B. Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit and proceed with caution
• C. Stop behind it
• D. Flash your lights

Answer: B. On two-lane roads, slow to at least 20 mph under the limit (or 5 mph when the limit is 20 or less), starting 300 feet before the vehicle. Manual topic: move over law.

20. On an interstate with two lanes in your direction, you see a stopped tow truck with amber lights. You should:

• A. Stop on the shoulder
• B. Use the horn
• C. Stay in your lane at full speed
• D. Move to the lane farthest from it at least 300 feet before it, if safe

Answer: D. South Dakota’s move over law covers vehicles with amber, yellow or blue warning lights too. Change lanes away from the vehicle when you can. Manual topic: move over law.

Alcohol, drugs and implied consent (questions 21 to 23)

21. A South Dakota driver aged 19 is stopped with a BAC of 0.03%. What applies?

• A. Only a fine if there was a crash
• B. A warning only
• C. Nothing, because it is under 0.08%
• D. South Dakota’s zero tolerance rule for under-21 drivers, which can cost the license

Answer: D. For drivers under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or more breaks the zero tolerance law. Manual topic: alcohol and the law.

22. What can happen if you refuse a BAC test when lawfully asked by an officer in South Dakota?

• A. You get a parking ticket
• B. You can lose your license for one year
• C. You must retake the permit test
• D. Nothing

Answer: B. Under implied consent you agreed to testing by driving on a public highway. Refusal can cost your license for a year. Manual topic: implied consent.

23. Which statement about alcohol and vision is true, according to the manual?

• A. Alcohol only affects vision above 0.08%
• B. Vision is affected from 0.02% BAC
• C. Coffee restores normal vision
• D. Alcohol improves night vision

Answer: B. The manual says vision is affected at 0.02% BAC for all drivers, including color distinction and distance judgment. Manual topic: alcohol effects.

South Dakota permit, restricted permit and phone rules (questions 24 to 29)

24. On a South Dakota instruction permit, who must sit beside you?

• A. Anyone aged 16 or older
• B. A parent or guardian, or another adult with a valid license and at least one year of driving experience
• C. No one, after 30 days
• D. Only a driving instructor

Answer: B. DPS says the supervising adult must be a parent or guardian or another licensed adult with at least a year of experience, seated beside you. Topic: instruction permit.

25. Without driver’s ed, how long must you hold an instruction permit before the drive test?

• A. 90 days
• B. One year
• C. 275 days
• D. 180 days

Answer: C. The permit must be held 275 days without driver education, or 180 days after an approved course. Topic: instruction permit.

26. How many supervised hours must you log before upgrading to a restricted minor’s permit?

• A. 30 hours, 5 at night
• B. 40 hours, 10 at night
• C. No hours are required
• D. 50 hours, including 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather

Answer: D. DPS requires at least 50 hours of parent or guardian supervised driving, with 10 at night and 10 in bad weather. Topic: supervised driving.

27. Can a South Dakota instruction permit holder use a phone hands-free while driving?

• A. Only on rural roads
• B. Only for music
• C. Yes, hands-free is fine
• D. No. Permit holders may not use any wireless communication device while driving

Answer: D. Instruction and restricted permit holders may not use any type of wireless communication device while driving. Texting is banned for all drivers. Topic: distracted driving.

28. On a restricted minor’s permit, when may you drive alone without a parent or guardian beside you?

• A. Any time
• B. Only on weekends
• C. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with parent or guardian permission
• D. Only to school

Answer: C. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. a parent or guardian must sit beside you, except on the most direct route to or from school, church, work or farm work. Topic: restricted permit.

29. For the first 6 months on a restricted minor’s permit, who may ride with you?

• A. One friend
• B. Up to three friends
• C. Anyone over 14
• D. No passengers outside your immediate family or household

Answer: D. For the first 6 months, no passengers outside immediate family or household. After that, only one. Topic: restricted permit.

Emergencies and adverse conditions (question 30)

30. Your car breaks down and you must stop beside the road at night. What should you do?

• A. Stay in the lane with the engine running
• B. Pull as far off the road as you can and turn on your 4-way emergency flashers
• C. Leave only the parking lights on
• D. Walk away and leave the lights off

Answer: B. Get off the roadway if possible and turn on the 4-way emergency flashers. The manual also warns never to drive with only parking lights on. Manual topic: emergencies.

Score your South Dakota practice test

Score out of 30	What it means
27 to 30	Ready to book. Review any you missed.
24 to 26	At the 80% standard. Reread the manual sections behind each miss.
Under 24	Below 80%. Go back to signs, right of way and the permit rules first.

The questions you missed point to the manual chapter to reread. Permit and passenger rules catch out a lot of learners, so see South Dakota restricted minor’s permit rules and the 50 hour practice log.

Common questions

Are these the real South Dakota DPS test questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions based on the South Dakota Driver License Manual and DPS teen driver rules.

How many questions are on the South Dakota permit test?

The pass mark is 80%. Call DPS on (605) 773-6883 if you want to ask before your appointment.

Can I skip the knowledge test?

Yes, if you passed an approved driver education course within the last year. The certificate waives the test.

What happens if I fail?

You can retest from the next working day. The $38 fee covers up to three attempts within 6 months.

Is the South Dakota test only about signs?

No. It covers traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices from the manual, so expect questions on permit rules, alcohol and right of way too.

Where are practice tests for other states?

See US permit practice tests by state. For the full route from permit to license, see learning to drive in South Dakota.

Sources

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver Licensing Information for Teen Drivers and Parents” (KB0043735) (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “South Dakota Driver License Manual” (sd.gov)
• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, “Driver License Testing” (KB0043731) (sd.gov)