South Dakota Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The South Dakota rules and numbers to know for the DPS knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official South Dakota driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The South Dakota test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- Not published by the DPS
- To pass
- 80% correct
- Time limit
- We found no published time limit for the South Dakota knowledge test.
- Minimum permit age
- 14 years old
- Hold the permit for
- 275 days (180 days if driver's ed completed) before upgrading to a Restricted Minor's Permit; permits issued before July 1, 2020: 180 days (90 with driver's ed)
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.02% BAC
South Dakota rules and numbers
From the official South Dakota handbook (Revised 11/2024 (file name driver-licens); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Road signs
- Orange triangle on the rear: slow-moving vehicle, under 25 mph. [p.36]
Rules of the road
- South Dakota: you can get an instruction permit at age 14. [p.8]
- South Dakota instruction permit: always drive under adult supervision. [p.8]
- South Dakota restricted minor's permit: no unsupervised driving after 10 p.m. [p.8]
- South Dakota: after the instruction permit comes the restricted minor's permit. [p.8]
- Stopped emergency vehicle with red lights: come to a complete stop first. [p.2]
- Two-lane road, amber/blue lights: slow to 20 mph under the limit, 300 feet ahead. [p.2]
- Multi-lane road: move to the farthest lane at least 300 feet before the stopped vehicle. [p.2]
- Snowplow with red or amber lights (35+ mph roads): stay at least 200 feet back. [p.67]
- Passing a bicycle where the limit is 35 mph or less: at least 3 feet. [p.62]
- Passing a bicycle where the limit is over 35 mph: at least 6 feet. [p.62]
- Funeral procession: only the first vehicle must obey signs and signals. [p.31]
- Parked on a rural highway: leave at least 15 feet of road width open. [p.43]
- Parallel parking: within 12 inches of the curb, 2 feet from other cars. [p.44]
- No U-turn on a curve or hill if you cannot be seen within 500 feet. [p.39]
- Speeding in a work zone: the fine may be doubled. [p.66]
- Passing at 55 mph needs about 10 seconds, over 1,600 feet (1/3 mile). [p.53]
- Dark (unlit) traffic signal: stop as if at a stop sign. [p.32]
- Single-lane bridge: the first driver to arrive generally goes first. [p.67]
- Railroad crossing: do not cross until the bell or horn stops. [p.34]
- Instruction permit (under 18): hold 275 days, or 180 with driver ed. [p.8]
- Permit teens: 50 supervised hours (10 bad weather, 10 after dark). [p.8]
- Permit holders may not use any wireless device while driving. [p.8]
Safe driving & emergencies
- Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. [p.55]
- Night: add at least 1 second; unfamiliar road at night: add at least 2 seconds. [p.66]
- Keep a following distance of at least 4 seconds. [p.51]
- A truck's rear blind spot (No-Zone) can extend up to 200 feet. [p.63]
- Disabled vehicle: place flares about 200 to 300 feet behind it. [p.58]
- Front tire blowout: the car pulls sharply toward the blowout side. [p.58]
- Deer crashes peak in October and November in South Dakota. [p.50]
- Never use cruise control on slippery roads. [p.67]
- Front side window tint: at least 35% light must pass through. [p.24]
- Child restraint law: children under 5 (40+ lb may use a seat belt). [p.27]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.