South Dakota DMV Practice Test 2026

1. 14 years old
2. 15 years old
3. 16 years old
4. 17 years old

Correct answer: 14 years old. South Dakota sets 14 as the minimum age for an Instruction Permit, younger than most other states.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.8, Instruction Permit (Under 18 years of age)

1. 0.05 percent
2. 0.08 percent
3. 0.00 percent, any trace
4. 0.02 percent

Correct answer: 0.02 percent. South Dakota allows an arrest for alcohol impairment at just 0.02 percent BAC for drivers under 21.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.17, Alcohol and the Law

1. False
2. True

Correct answer: True. Whether South Dakota has an extra, stricter phone rule specifically for drivers under 18 is: True.

1. Making the vehicle stop faster than it normally would
2. Keeping them from being ejected and keeping them behind the wheel in control
3. Preventing the airbag from deploying at all
4. Reducing the vehicle's speed before impact

Correct answer: Keeping them from being ejected and keeping them behind the wheel in control. A seat belt keeps an occupant from being thrown from the vehicle, from being thrown against the interior or other passengers, and keeps the driver positioned to maintain control of the vehicle.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch14 Safety Belts, p.70

1. Other drivers may not be able to see your vehicle in time to react
2. U-turns are only allowed on flat, straight roads for fuel efficiency
3. It voids your vehicle's insurance
4. Hills and curves have no posted speed limit

Correct answer: Other drivers may not be able to see your vehicle in time to react. Limited visibility means an approaching driver may not see a car making a U-turn until it's too late to stop safely.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Turns-Illegal U-Turns p.62-67

1. The lane ends ahead and traffic must merge in the direction the sign shows
2. The lane you are in ends ahead and you must move into another lane
3. A multi-lane road ahead narrows down to a single lane, so drivers must merge
4. Traffic going straight through ahead must merge to the left

Correct answer: The lane ends ahead and traffic must merge in the direction the sign shows. This warning sign means the lane ends ahead and traffic must merge in the direction the sign shows. Be ready to react safely as you approach this part of the road.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 2C (Warning Signs)

1. The Instruction Permit and Restricted Minor's Permit steps
2. A separate defensive-driving certification only
3. A commercial learner's permit
4. Nothing, they may apply directly

Correct answer: The Instruction Permit and Restricted Minor's Permit steps. A 16- or 17-year-old must first complete the Instruction Permit and Restricted Minor's Permit steps.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.8, Operator's License

1. 100 feet
2. 300 feet
3. 500 feet
4. 1,000 feet

Correct answer: 300 feet. On a multi-lane road, South Dakota requires merging into the farther lane at least 300 feet before a stopped emergency vehicle.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.2, Attention (Move Over notice)

1. The road must not have had anything interesting to look at
2. This is completely normal and has nothing to do with fatigue
3. The vehicle's cruise control was steering on its own
4. A brief microsleep, a few seconds of unintentionally nodding off

Correct answer: A brief microsleep, a few seconds of unintentionally nodding off. Extreme drowsiness can cause a microsleep, a brief lapse of a few seconds where a driver unintentionally nods off without fully realizing it, which can explain not remembering the last stretch of road.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Drowsy Driving, p.35

1. 10 mph below the posted limit
2. 15 mph below the posted limit
3. 20 mph below the posted limit
4. No reduction is required

Correct answer: 20 mph below the posted limit. On a two-lane highway, South Dakota requires slowing to at least 20 mph below the posted limit near a stopped emergency vehicle.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.2, Attention (Move Over notice)

1. Proceed slowly, watching for children
2. Immediately resume normal highway speed
3. Pass the bus on the right at any speed
4. Sound the horn and drive around it

Correct answer: Proceed slowly, watching for children. Once the bus's red lights stop flashing and the stop arm retracts, a South Dakota driver may proceed slowly.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.40, Rules for School Buses

1. The lane closest to the right edge of the road
2. The center lane, since it works for any turn
3. It does not matter which lane you happen to use
4. The lane farthest away from the curb edge

Correct answer: The lane closest to the right edge of the road. Getting into the rightmost lane early keeps your path predictable and out of the way of drivers going straight or turning left from a different lane.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Turns p.62

1. They are definitely about to turn immediately, no doubt
2. The signal is a mechanical malfunction and should be ignored
3. Their signal may not have canceled; wait to see them turn
4. You should proceed as if they will turn right away regardless

Correct answer: Their signal may not have canceled; wait to see them turn. Many motorcycle turn signals do not self-cancel, so riders sometimes forget to turn them off after a previous turn. Do not assume an active signal means an immediate turn; wait to see the rider actually begin turning.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Vehicle Positioning-Passing, p.80 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. Brake hard immediately to stop the skid
2. Accelerate to power out of the skid
3. Ease off the gas pedal and steer in the direction the vehicle is skidding
4. Turn the steering wheel opposite the direction of the skid

Correct answer: Ease off the gas pedal and steer in the direction the vehicle is skidding. To recover from a skid, ease off the accelerator, stop braking, and steer in the direction the vehicle is sliding until you regain control, then straighten the wheels.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Handling Emergencies-Skids on Slippery Surfaces, p.105 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. 9:00 p.m.
2. 10:00 p.m.
3. 11:00 p.m.
4. 1:00 a.m.

Correct answer: 10:00 p.m.. South Dakota's GDL nighttime restriction generally starts at 10:00 p.m., though exceptions such as work or school activities may apply.

1. Slow down only, then continue past
2. Proceed, since paddle signs are only suggestions
3. Stop completely and wait until directed to proceed
4. Only stop if a police car is also present

Correct answer: Stop completely and wait until directed to proceed. The STOP side of a flagger's paddle sign has the same meaning as a stop sign: come to a complete stop and wait to be directed to proceed.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, PDF p.35, flagger uses stop/slow paddles to direct traffic through work zones

1. The bike lane continues completely normally past that particular point
2. Cars must yield to bicycles at that distance
3. A bike race is occurring at that location
4. Bicyclists need to follow a detour route starting at the distance shown

Correct answer: Bicyclists need to follow a detour route starting at the distance shown. This work zone sign tells cyclists that their normal route is blocked ahead and they need to follow a marked detour, starting at the distance shown.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 6F.59

1. The driver and passengers, as defined by the state's seat belt law
2. Only the driver behind the wheel, no matter who else is riding along
3. Only front-seat occupants, never anyone riding in the back seat
4. Only passengers under the age of 12 sitting anywhere in the vehicle

Correct answer: The driver and passengers, as defined by the state's seat belt law. Seat belt laws generally require both the driver and covered passengers to buckle up, though the exact scope (all seats vs. front only) can vary by state.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Occupant Protection-Seat Belts p.27 - 'You and your passengers must wear seat belts...You can get a ticket if you do not.'

1. Two years
2. Five years
3. Ten years
4. Until age 21 only

Correct answer: Five years. A South Dakota Instruction Permit is generally valid for up to five years.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.8, Instruction Permit (Under 18 years of age)

1. A hospital nearby
2. A speed limit change ahead
3. A railroad crossing ahead
4. A no-passing zone

Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead. The round shape is used only for the advance railroad crossing warning sign, so drivers can recognize it by shape alone.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.36, sign shapes overview

1. 0.02%
2. 0.20%
3. 0.08%
4. 0.12%

Correct answer: 0.08%. In South Dakota, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is legal evidence of intoxication for a driver 21 or older.

1. Nothing; stopping alone is enough at a flashing red light
2. A flashing red needs a full stop, then go only when safe
3. Flashing red only means yield, it does not mean stop
4. Flashing red signals only apply to large trucks

Correct answer: A flashing red needs a full stop, then go only when safe. A flashing red signal works exactly like a stop sign: a full stop is required, and the driver must then check that the way is clear before proceeding.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.42, Flashing Red: STOP, then proceed when safe

1. 400 feet
2. 500 feet
3. 150 feet
4. 250 feet

Correct answer: 500 feet. In South Dakota, dim your high beams to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle you are following, so you do not blind the driver ahead with light reflected in their mirrors.

1. 0.02%
2. 0.08%
3. 0.00%
4. 0.05%

Correct answer: 0.02%. South Dakota's zero-tolerance-style law for drivers under 21 sets the threshold at 0.02%, far below the standard adult DUI limit.

1. Time already driven on a car Instruction Permit
2. Time spent riding along as a passenger on someone else's motorcycle
3. A completed hunter safety course
4. Volunteer hours at the DMV

Correct answer: Time already driven on a car Instruction Permit. Time already driven on a car Instruction Permit can count toward the holding period for a Motorcycle Instruction Permit.

Source: South Dakota Driver Handbook, p.9, Motorcycle Instruction Permit (Under 18 years of age)