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Am I Ready for the South Dakota Permit Test?
12-question diagnostic · 4 easy, 4 medium, 4 hard · Updated July 12, 2026
Twelve questions, deliberately mixed: four easy, four medium, four of the hardest in our verified South Dakota bank. The real test needs 80% — but a diagnostic this short needs a margin, so read your result like this: 11+ of 12, you're ready to book; 9–10, you're close — drill the 25 hardest first; below that, work the full test ladder before test day.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. On a two-lane highway, when you cannot move over for a stopped vehicle using amber, yellow, or blue warning lights, you must:
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Correct answer: Slow to at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit
On two-lane highways, at least 300 feet before the vehicle you must slow to a speed at least 20 mph below the posted limit (or 5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less) and proceed with caution.
11. At what blood alcohol content (BAC) is vision impacted for all drivers?
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Correct answer: 0.02%
Vision is impacted at 0.02% blood alcohol content (BAC) for all drivers. Alcohol blurs vision, slows the ability to focus, and reduces the ability to judge distance and speed.
12. Why might you choose to leave the parking brake off in very cold weather?
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Correct answer: The parking brake could freeze in the "on" position
A possible exception to always setting the parking brake is in cold weather, when the brake could freeze in the "on" position. If you leave it off, still leave the vehicle in its lowest gear or in "park."
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