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South Dakota Permit Practice Test
20 real questions from our handbook-verified South Dakota bank · Updated July 12, 2026
The official South Dakota knowledge test has 25 questions — you can miss 5 and still pass (80%). That 80% bar ties South Dakota with 35 other states at #7 strictest of the 50 states. South Dakota offers the real exam in Spanish — practica en español aquí.
The real South Dakota exam format — this practice test scores you against the same 80% bar.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. About what share of the fatal traffic crashes each year involve alcohol or other impairing drugs?
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Correct answer: About 40%
Alcohol and other impairing drugs are involved in approximately 40% of all traffic crashes in which someone is killed every year. Even a little alcohol greatly increases your chance of a crash.
2. Who is required to have a driver license to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways in South Dakota?
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Correct answer: Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle on public roadways
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or a motor-driven cycle on public roadways in South Dakota is required to have a driver license.
3. When you park along a roadway that has a curb, you should:
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Correct answer: Park as close to the curb as possible
You are responsible for making sure your parked vehicle is not a hazard. Park as far from the flow of traffic as possible, and where there is a curb, park as close to it as you can.
4. When you approach an authorized emergency vehicle that is using red visual signals, South Dakota law requires you to:
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Correct answer: Come to a complete stop before reaching it, then proceed with caution when safe
South Dakota law requires motorists from any direction approaching an authorized emergency vehicle using red visual signals to come to a complete stop before reaching it, then proceed with caution only after making sure it is safe.
5. Which is the correct way to think about right-of-way rules?
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Correct answer: They tell you who should yield — no one should ever assume they automatically have the right-of-way
Right-of-way rules provide a guide to who should yield, but no one should assume he or she automatically has the right-of-way. The situation and circumstances must always be considered.
6. To qualify for a South Dakota driver license without restrictions, you must be able to see:
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Correct answer: 20/40 or better with both eyes, and no worse than 20/50 in either eye
South Dakota requires a vision test before you get a driver license. For a license without restrictions, you must score 20/40 or better with both eyes, but no worse than 20/50 in either eye.
7. As a driver, you should yield to pedestrians crossing at an intersection:
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Correct answer: Even when the crosswalk is not marked
Always be prepared to yield to pedestrians, even if they are not in a crosswalk. Yield to pedestrians crossing at intersections even when a crosswalk is not marked.
8. What must you do at a steady red traffic light?
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Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and wait until the light turns green and crossing traffic clears
A steady red traffic light means come to a complete stop. You must wait until the light turns green and there is no crossing traffic before you may proceed.
9. What is the best way to keep from speeding?
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Correct answer: Know how fast you are going by checking the speedometer often
The best way not to speed is to know how fast you are going — check the speedometer often. People are not good at judging their speed, and it is easy to be traveling faster than you think.
10. From what part of the lane should you make a right turn?
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Correct answer: The right-most portion of the lane, without swinging wide to the left first
Always turn right from the right-most portion of the lane, and avoid swinging wide to the left before making the turn.
11. Impairment from alcohol begins:
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Correct answer: With the very first drink
Impairment starts with the first drink. Even one drink of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle, and a driver could be arrested for driving under the influence.
12. What is the minimum age to obtain any South Dakota driver license or permit?
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Correct answer: 14 years of age
You may obtain a South Dakota driver license if you are at least 14 years of age, provide the required documents, have parent/guardian consent if under 18, and pass the required tests. This is among the youngest permit ages in the nation.
13. Whenever you park your vehicle, you should:
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Correct answer: Always set the parking brake
Always set the parking brake when you park. Leave the vehicle in the lowest gear if it has a manual transmission, or in "park" if it has an automatic transmission.
14. On an interstate with two or more lanes in your direction, when you approach a stopped vehicle using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights, you must:
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Correct answer: Merge into the lane farthest from the vehicle at least 300 feet before reaching it
On South Dakota interstates or highways with two or more lanes in the same direction, you must merge into the lane farthest from a vehicle using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights at least 300 feet before it, then proceed with caution.
15. You are making a left turn at an intersection. You must yield to:
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Correct answer: Drivers in the opposing (oncoming) traffic lane
When making a left turn you must yield the right-of-way to drivers in the opposing traffic lane, as well as to pedestrians and anyone still in the intersection.
16. If your driver license says you must wear corrective lenses, and you drive without them, you:
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Correct answer: Could get a ticket if you are stopped
Always wear your corrective lenses while driving. If your license requires them and you are not wearing them, you could get a ticket if you are stopped.
17. When a pedestrian is crossing the street guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, you must:
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Correct answer: Come to a complete stop
Always yield the right-of-way to persons who are visually impaired. When a pedestrian is crossing guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, come to a complete stop.
18. A flashing red traffic light means the same as:
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Correct answer: A stop sign
A flashing red traffic light means the same as a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop and then may go when it is safe to do so.
19. When are drivers especially likely to be going faster than they realize?
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Correct answer: Right after leaving a high-speed road for much slower local roads
It is easy to travel much faster than you think, especially when you leave high-speed roads and begin driving on much slower local roads. Check your speedometer and follow the posted limits.
20. When making a left turn, you should turn from:
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Correct answer: The left-most portion of the lane, after yielding to oncoming traffic
When making a left turn, yield to oncoming traffic and always turn left from the left-most portion of the lane.
📱 These 20 questions are a warm-up. PermitPal for iPhone and iPad drills the full handbook-verified South Dakota bank of 232 questions with spaced repetition, and runs mock exams in the real 25-question format — plus motorcycle and CDL tracks. Free to start, $29.99 once.
South Dakota test facts
How many questions are on the South Dakota permit test?
25 questions. You need 20 correct (80%) — you can miss 5. Full details in the passing-score calculator.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake it the next day. There's a limit of 3 attempts per fee paid, within a six-month period before extra steps apply.
Can I take the South Dakota test in Spanish?
Yes — South Dakota offers the knowledge test in Spanish. Try the Spanish practice test. See which states test in Spanish.
What age can I get my permit in South Dakota?
The minimum learner's permit age is 14. You'll need 50 supervised practice hours (10 at night) before the license stage. Full ladder in the permit-age lookup.