After you pass in South Dakota: restrictions and your licence

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state the hours you may drive alone and the exceptions after 10 p.m.
• You can apply the passenger limits for the first six months and after.
• You can explain the phone ban and other permit conditions.
• You can describe how and when to upgrade to an operator's license.

What you need to know and understand

• You may 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. you need a parent or legal guardian beside you, unless an exception applies.
• Exceptions cover the most direct route to or from school or school events, church or church events, work, and driving unregistered farm machinery or doing farm work.
• For the first six months, no passengers except immediate family or household members.
• After six months, no more than one passenger under 18 who is not family or a household member.
• No use of any wireless communication device while driving.
• Upgrade to an operator's license at 16 after six months on the restricted permit and six months with no convictions.

Night driving and the exceptions

The exceptions only apply on the most direct route. Driving home from a late shift is allowed. Stopping at a friend's house on the way is not, because the trip is no longer the direct route from work. If you are unsure, have your parent or guardian drive with you.

Passenger rules

• First six months: only immediate family or people who live in your household.
• After six months: at most one non-family passenger under 18.
• State law lifts the passenger limits when your parent or guardian is with you, or a passenger who is at least 18, has a year of driving experience and lives in your household.

Other conditions

Carry the permit whenever you drive. Everyone under 18 in the car must be belted. Breaking the hour or passenger rules is a permit violation: under 16, a first violation means a 30-day suspension, and any conviction restarts the six-month clean record you need to upgrade.

Moving to an operator's license

1. Turn 16 and drive at least six months on the Restricted Minor's Permit.
2. Keep your record free of traffic convictions for the six months before you apply.
3. Get parent or guardian consent, in person or on the notarized form.
4. Apply at an exam station with your permit, two proofs of address and the fee. The manual says restricted permit upgrades can also be done online through the Skip the Trip service if you are eligible.
5. If you never upgrade, the restricted permit converts to an operator's license at 18.

Common mistakes

• Giving friends a ride in the first six months. Only family and household members are allowed.
• Stopping for food on the way home from work after 10 p.m. The exception covers the direct route only.
• Using GPS or music apps on your phone while driving. Permit holders may not use any wireless device.
• Picking up a ticket weeks before your 16th birthday. It delays the full license by six months from the conviction.

Test yourself: After you pass in South Dakota: restrictions and your licence

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

Go deeper

• South Dakota 50-Hour Practice Log
• South Dakota Driving Test and When Driver’s Ed Waives It
• Learning to Drive in South Dakota