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South Dakota Department of Public Safety · Driver Licensing

South Dakota permit test $28 buys three tries

South Dakota issues instruction permits at 14, and the $28 fee covers three attempts at the knowledge test within six months. It also has a rule that surprises drivers from other states: for a stopped emergency vehicle with red lights, you stop, you don't just move over. This page covers those rules, the 50-hour log and a practice test.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · South Dakota Driver License Manual, revised 11/2024

Red lights mean stop. Amber, yellow or blue mean move over.

Stopped emergency vehicle, red lights

Drivers from any direction come to a complete stop before reaching it, then proceed with caution (SDCL 32-31-6.1).

Stopped vehicle, amber, yellow or blue lights

On a multilane road, move over. On a two-lane road, slow to 20 mph below the limit at least 300 feet before it (to 5 mph if the limit is 20 or less). Causing a crash while breaking this rule is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

At the exam station

Go to any exam station in the state. Bring an identity document (a certified birth certificate, since hospital certificates aren't accepted, or a passport), proof of any name change, your SSN and two South Dakota residence documents. Pass vision screening and the knowledge test, and pay $28.

That $28 covers three attempts within six months. A fourth attempt, or an attempt after six months, means paying again. Children and pets aren't allowed in the testing area.

The manual doesn't give the question count, pass score, languages, online option or statewide speed limits.

South Dakota DPS practice test

25 questions from the November 2024 manual, scored against an 80% target. That's our benchmark, not an official one.

Free quiz · no sign-up

South Dakota permit practice test

Questions
25
To pass
80%
About
17 min

Instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Preview the 25 free questions

  1. What is the minimum age for a South Dakota instruction permit?

    • 14
    • 14½
    • 15
    • 16

  2. What does an instruction permit cost?

    • $15
    • $20
    • $28
    • $35

  3. How many test attempts does the fee cover?

    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    • Unlimited

  4. Who may supervise a permit driver?

    • Anyone 21+
    • A parent, guardian or licensed adult with 1+ year of experience
    • Only someone 25+
    • Anyone

  5. How many supervised hours are required?

    • 30
    • 40
    • 50
    • 60

  6. How many must be in inclement weather?

    • 5
    • 10
    • 15
    • 20

  7. How many must be after dark?

    • 5
    • 10
    • 15
    • 20

  8. How long must you hold the permit without driver ed?

    • 180 days
    • 210 days
    • 275 days
    • 365 days

  9. How long with approved driver ed?

    • 90 days
    • 180 days
    • 210 days
    • 275 days

  10. What driver ed score earns the shorter holding period?

    • 70%
    • 75%
    • 80%
    • 90%

  11. When may a restricted minor's permit holder drive alone?

    • 5 a.m.–10 p.m.
    • 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
    • 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
    • 6 a.m.–midnight

  12. Who may ride with you in the first six months on a restricted permit?

    • One friend
    • Only family or household members
    • Two people under 21
    • Anyone

  13. At what age does a restricted permit convert to a license?

    • 16
    • 17
    • 18
    • 21

  14. Can permit holders use wireless devices while driving?

    • Hands-free only
    • No
    • Calls only
    • GPS only

  15. What is the BAC range for under-21 Zero Tolerance?

    • .01–.05
    • .02–.08
    • .04–.08
    • .05–.10

  16. What is the minimum revocation for an adult at .08?

    • 7 days
    • 30 days
    • 90 days
    • 1 year

  17. A stopped emergency vehicle shows red lights. You must:

    • Slow down
    • Come to a complete stop before reaching it
    • Only move over
    • Honk

  18. A stopped vehicle shows amber lights on a two-lane highway. Slow to how far below the limit?

    • 5 mph
    • 10 mph
    • 15 mph
    • 20 mph

  19. How far ahead of that vehicle must you have slowed?

    • 100 feet
    • 200 feet
    • 300 feet
    • 500 feet

  20. If the limit is 20 mph or less, slow to:

    • 5 mph
    • 10 mph
    • 15 mph
    • A stop

  21. When don't you have to stop for a school bus with red lights?

    • When you're in the opposite lane
    • When a physical barrier separates the road
    • On four-lane roads
    • At night

  22. What does a replacement license cost?

    • $10
    • $15
    • $20
    • $28

  23. How long is a South Dakota license valid?

    • 4 years
    • 5 years
    • 8 years
    • 10 years

  24. What share of traffic deaths happen within 25 miles of home?

    • A quarter
    • Over half
    • 10%
    • 90%

  25. How should you respond to a tailgater?

    • Brake hard
    • Slow gradually or move right
    • Speed up
    • Flash your lights

50 hours, in three kinds of conditions

50

total hours

10

in inclement weather

10

after dark

Your supervisor can be a parent or guardian, or any adult with a valid license and at least a year of experience, seated beside you. Permit holders may not use wireless devices while driving.

275 days, or 180 with driver ed

You hold the permit 275 days before moving up. Finish approved driver education with 80% or better on both the written and driving portions, and it drops to 180 days. You also need a driving test and six months without violations.

The restricted minor's permit

  • Alone, with parent permission, 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • 10 p.m.–6 a.m. only with a parent or guardian, except direct routes to school, church, work or farm work
  • First six months: passengers must be immediate family or household members
  • No wireless devices
  • It converts to a regular license at 18

Other South Dakota facts

  • School buses: stop for red lights and the stop arm, unless a physical barrier separates the road.
  • Alcohol: Zero Tolerance covers .02%–.08% under 21. An adult at .08 faces at least 30 days' revocation.
  • Phones: texting, reading texts and social networking while driving are banned.
  • Seat belts: the manual notes over half of traffic deaths happen within 25 miles of home.
  • Tailgaters: never brake suddenly to discourage one. Slow gradually or move right. Slow-moving vehicles usually travel 25 mph or less.
  • Fees and renewal: a license is $28 and valid five years. A replacement is $15. You can renew up to 180 days early, online since July 2014.
  • No pets or passengers in the road-test vehicle.

Neighbors

North Dakota · Minnesota · Iowa · Nebraska · Wyoming · Montana

South Dakota permit test FAQ

How much is a South Dakota instruction permit?

$28. The fee covers three test attempts within six months. After that, you pay again (SDCL 32-12-2).

How old do you have to be for a permit in South Dakota?

14. You pass vision and knowledge tests, and the permit is valid five years.

How many questions are on the South Dakota permit test?

The November 2024 manual doesn't give a question count or pass score, and we couldn't confirm either.

How long do I have to hold my SD permit?

275 days, or 180 days if you complete approved driver education and score 80% or higher on both the written and driving portions.

Do I really have to stop for an emergency vehicle in South Dakota?

For a stopped emergency vehicle showing red lights, yes. The manual says drivers from any direction must come to a complete stop before reaching it, then proceed with caution (SDCL 32-31-6.1).

What can I do on a restricted minor's permit?

Drive alone 6 a.m.–10 p.m. with parent permission. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., only with a parent or guardian, except direct routes to school, church, work or farm work. For the first six months, passengers must be immediate family or household members.

Keep studying

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (11/2024); SD DPS Driver Licensing. Not affiliated with SD DPS.