Free South Dakota DMV Practice Test (2026)

South Dakota · Checked October 2026

Practice for the South Dakota permit test with a learning path built around the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program rules: a South Dakota-only module on the state's own laws and teen-license limits, core rules-of-the-road lessons, instant explanations and a timed exam simulation.

Start learning About the South Dakota test

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South Dakota permit test at a glance

QuestionsNot published

To pass80%

Min. permit age14

AgencyDPS

You must score 80% or higher on the knowledge test, which covers rules of the road and safe driving; DPS does not publish the number of questions. If you fail, you can retest on a later day (not before the next working day), and each fee covers three test attempts within six months. A certificate from an approved driver education course completed within the last year can waive the knowledge test. Manuals are available in English and Spanish.

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program does not publish the exact number of questions, so our timed simulation uses a standard 25-question format with the official passing score of 80%.

Tip: Start with module 1, “South Dakota laws & permit rules”. These 12 questions cover rules that are specific to South Dakota, the part of the test that general study guides usually miss.

South Dakota traffic laws you will be tested on

Topic	South Dakota rule	Source
Phones and texting	No driver may use a hand-held mobile device to text, read, browse or type, or use social networking while driving (a Class 2 misdemeanor); calls and hands-free use are allowed for adults. Instruction permit and restricted minor's permit holders may not use any wireless device at all.	sdlegislature.gov
Under-21 zero tolerance	Drivers under 21 with a BAC of 0.02% or more (or any illegal drug in their system) commit a Class 2 misdemeanor. The license is suspended 30 days for a first offense, 180 days for a second and 1 year for a third.	sdlegislature.gov
DUI and implied consent	A BAC of 0.08% or more is driving under the influence; a first offense brings at least a 30-day license loss. By driving you agree to an alcohol test, and refusing can cost you your license for one year.	dps.sd.gov
Seat belts	The driver and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts (enforced as a secondary offense). Drivers 14 to 17 and all passengers 5 to 17 must be buckled up.	sdlegislature.gov
Child passenger seats	Children under 5 must ride in a child restraint used according to the manufacturer's instructions. A child under 5 who weighs at least 40 pounds may use a seat belt instead.	sdlegislature.gov
Move-over law	Come to a complete stop before passing a stopped emergency vehicle using red lights. For vehicles with amber, yellow or blue lights, move to the farthest lane at least 300 feet before them, or on a two-lane road slow to at least 20 mph under the limit. Minimum fine: $270.	sdlegislature.gov
Speed limits	The maximum is 80 mph on interstates and 65 mph on other highways unless posted lower; rural four-lane divided highways may be posted at 70 mph, and township roads are limited to 55 mph.	sdlegislature.gov
School buses	When a school bus shows flashing amber lights, slow to 15 mph or less. When red lights flash, stop at least 15 feet from the bus until the lights go off. On highways with two or more lanes each way, traffic going the opposite direction does not have to stop.	sdlegislature.gov

South Dakota learner permit and teen license rules

Instruction permit at 14: drive from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a licensed driver at least 18 with 1 year of experience in the seat beside you; from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. only with your parent or guardian beside you.
Hold the instruction permit at least 275 days (180 days if you complete an approved driver education course) before moving up.
Log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours at night and 10 hours in bad weather; a parent or guardian must certify it in writing.
Restricted minor's permit (pass the driving test, no traffic convictions in the last 6 months): drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with parent permission; 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. only with a parent or guardian beside you, except direct trips to or from school, work, farm work or religious services.
Passengers on a restricted minor's permit: only immediate family or household members for the first 6 months; after that, no more than one non-family passenger under 18 (unless a parent or adult household member is along).
Instruction permit and restricted minor's permit holders may not use any wireless device, including phones, while driving.
At 16, after holding the restricted minor's permit 6 months with no traffic convictions in the last 6 months, you can get an operator's license (upgrade by mail or online if your record is clean).

How to get your South Dakota learner's permit

Study the South Dakota Driver License Manual (also available in Spanish).
Be at least 14 and bring a parent or guardian to give consent, plus documents proving your identity, citizenship or lawful status, Social Security number and two proofs of your residential address.
Complete the license application (available in English or Spanish) at a Driver Licensing office and pay the application fee set by SDCL 32-12-16 ($38 after the 2025 change in state law).
Pass the vision test and the knowledge test with 80% or higher, or show a driver education certificate from the last year to waive the knowledge test.
Receive your instruction permit (valid five years) and log 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night and 10 in bad weather.
After 275 days (180 with driver ed), pass the driving test to get your restricted minor's permit.

Sample South Dakota-specific questions

Here are four of the 12 questions in our South Dakota module. Each one is based on the official South Dakota Driver License Manual or South Dakota law; open the answer to see the rule behind it.

1. What is the minimum age to get an instruction permit in South Dakota?

15
16
14
15 and a half

Show answer

Correct answer: 14. South Dakota lets you apply for an instruction permit at 14 after passing the vision and knowledge tests. Source: sdlegislature.gov

2. Without driver education, how long must a minor hold the instruction permit before applying for a restricted minor's permit?

275 days
180 days
90 days
One year

Show answer

Correct answer: 275 days. The instruction permit must be held at least 275 days, or 180 days if you complete an approved driver education course. Source: sdlegislature.gov

3. How much supervised driving must an instruction permit holder complete?

30 hours, including 5 at night
40 hours, including 10 at night
60 hours, including 15 at night
50 hours, including 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather

Show answer

Correct answer: 50 hours, including 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather. South Dakota requires 50 supervised hours, with at least 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather, attested in writing by a parent or guardian. Source: sdlegislature.gov

4. With an instruction permit, who must be beside you if you drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.?

Any licensed driver 18 or older
Your parent or guardian
Any adult 21 or older
No one; driving is allowed alone after 10 p.m.

Show answer

Correct answer: Your parent or guardian. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. an instruction permit holder may drive only under the direction of a parent or guardian seated beside them. Source: sdlegislature.gov

How this practice test works

Learn the South Dakota rules first: module 1 covers the state's permit test, teen-license limits and traffic laws.
Work through the core modules: signs, signals, right-of-way, speed, lanes, special situations, impairment and sharing the road.
Practice 5 questions at a time: every answer shows an explanation, and missed questions come back until you get them right.
Take the timed South Dakota exam simulation and review every mistake before your appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I skip the knowledge test for my instruction permit?

Yes. If you passed an approved driver education course within the last year, bring the certificate and the knowledge test can be waived. You still need the vision test.

Can I drive alone after 10 p.m. with a restricted minor's permit?

Generally no; between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. a parent or guardian must be beside you. The exceptions are driving the most direct route to or from school or a school event, work or farm work, or religious services, or operating farm machinery.

How many times can I take the tests?

Each fee covers three test attempts within six months; after three failures you pay again. You cannot retest before the next working day, and anyone caught cheating must wait at least two weeks.

Do I have to go to an office to switch from my restricted minor's permit to an operator's license?

No. If you are at least 16, have held the restricted minor's permit 6 months and have no traffic convictions, you can upgrade by mail or online, and the vision test is waived.

Are these the real DMV test questions?

No. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program does not publish its exam. Our South Dakota module is written from the official handbook and state law, and the core modules cover the rules of the road taught in every state handbook.

Is this practice test free?

Yes. Every lesson, practice round and exam simulation is free, with no sign-up.

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Official South Dakota sources

Every South Dakota fact and question on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official handbook, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program website or South Dakota law. When an official source did not publish a detail (for example, the number of test questions), we say so instead of guessing. Rules change, so confirm with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program before your test. PracticePermit.us is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with any government agency. How we write and check our questions.

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