The South Dakota knowledge (permit) test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain what the knowledge test covers and where the questions come from.
• You can state the pass mark and the retake rules.
• You can explain when an approved driver education certificate waives the test.
• You can build a study plan around the manual's sections.

What you need to know and understand

• DPS states that you need 80% or higher to pass.
• If you fail, you cannot retest before the next working day.
• Each fee covers three test attempts within six months. After that you pay again.
• Anyone caught cheating must wait at least two weeks before testing again.
• An approved driver education certificate from the last year waives the knowledge test.
• The manual ends with a short Test Your Knowledge quiz you can use for practice.
• Tests are given by appointment. Children and pets are not allowed in the testing area.

What the test covers

The test covers rules of the road and safe driving. DPS does not publish the number of questions in the manual, so ask when you book if you want to know. Focus on the sections with firm facts that make good test questions:

• Signs, signals and pavement markings, including flashing signals and arrows.
• Right-of-way rules at four-way stops, left turns, ramps and roundabouts.
• Following distance (at least 4 seconds), signaling at least 100 feet before a turn and dimming high beams within 500 feet.
• Alcohol limits: 0.08% for adults and 0.02% for drivers under 21, and the one-year loss for refusing a test.
• Point totals that lead to suspension, the move-over law and the bicycle passing distances.
• Permit rules: supervision, hours and the ban on wireless devices.

A study plan that works

1. Read the manual from start to finish once, without trying to memorize.
2. Go back through and write every number you find on one sheet: distances, times, ages and limits.
3. Take the manual's Test Your Knowledge quiz and reread any section you missed.
4. Use unofficial practice questions, such as our South Dakota permit practice test, as extra review.
5. The day before, review only your number sheet and the sign shapes and colors.

If you do not pass

Failing is common and fixable. You can return from the next working day, or wait longer to study. Your fee covers three attempts within six months. Use the gap to reread the sections you found hard rather than retesting the next morning without changing anything.

Common mistakes

• Studying only road signs. The test also covers alcohol law, points, right of way and safe driving.
• Relying on another state's practice test. Numbers such as following distance and bike passing room differ by state.
• Mixing up the two alcohol limits. It is 0.08% for adults and 0.02% for drivers under 21.
• Retesting straight away without studying. You only get three attempts per fee in six months.

Test yourself: The South Dakota knowledge (permit) test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• South Dakota Permit Practice Test
• South Dakota Permit Test at 14
• Learning to Drive in South Dakota