In South Dakota, what minimum score do you need to pass the knowledge test?

80%. South Dakota requires a score of 80 percent or higher on the knowledge test.

In South Dakota, if you are under 21, driving is illegal starting at what BAC?

0.02%. Drivers under 21 commit a misdemeanor at a BAC of 0.02 percent or more.

What is the minimum age for an instruction permit in South Dakota?

14. South Dakota issues instruction permits starting at age 14, with parent or guardian consent.

With a South Dakota restricted minor's permit, during what hours may you drive alone?

6 am to 10 pm. From 6 am to 10 pm with parent permission; later only with a parent beside you or driving directly to school, church, work or farm work.

On a highway with two lanes in each direction, a school bus going the other way stops with red lights. What do you do?

You need not stop. Under the 2025 law, oncoming traffic on highways with two or more lanes each way need not stop; traffic behind the bus must stop.

In South Dakota, if you have an instruction permit, what does the law say about phones while driving?

You can't use any. Instruction and restricted permit holders may not use any wireless communication device while driving.

On a South Dakota two-lane highway, a tow truck is stopped with amber lights. What do you do?

Slow to 20 mph below the limit. At least 300 feet before the vehicle, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit; on multilane roads, move to the farthest lane.

In South Dakota, how many test attempts does each fee cover?

3 attempts in 6 months. Each fee covers three test attempts within six months; after that, or after six months, you pay again.

In South Dakota, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?

15 feet. Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

In South Dakota, within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection may you NOT park?

20 feet. Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

In South Dakota, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?

100 feet. Signal 100 feet before turning.

State guides · South Dakota

South Dakota DMV written test guide

Everything you need to know about the written test in South Dakota, with the rules your state asks about and practice questions with answers.

Agency	South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program (DPS)
Official handbook	South Dakota Driver License Manual ↗
Questions	Not published
To pass	80% correct
Test in Spanish?	Yes

DPS requires a score of 80% or higher on the knowledge test but does not publish the number of questions. Taken in person at a driver exam station, by appointment; no online test option is listed. If you fail, you may retest on a later working day; each $38 fee covers 3 attempts within 6 months. Caught cheating means a two-week wait. Teens with an approved driver education certificate from the last year can skip the knowledge test.

South Dakota rules you need to know

Alcohol, 21 and over: In South Dakota the legal limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08% BAC. Official source ↗
Alcohol, under 21: Under 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. Official source ↗
Following distance: Keep at least 4 seconds behind the vehicle ahead, more in bad conditions. Official source ↗
High beams: Dim your high beams within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or a vehicle ahead. Official source ↗
Turn signal: Signal 100 feet before turning. Official source ↗
Fire hydrant: Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Official source ↗
Crosswalk: Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. Official source ↗
School bus: On highways with two or more lanes each way, oncoming traffic need not stop for a school bus. Official source ↗
Right on red: Right on red is allowed after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it. Official source ↗
Left on red: Left on red is allowed only where a city permits it, from a one-way onto a one-way street. Official source ↗
Cell phone: No one may text while driving; instruction and restricted permit holders may not use phones at all. Official source ↗
Move Over law: Stop for stopped emergency vehicles with red lights; for amber lights, move over or slow 20 mph below the limit. Official source ↗
Permit age: You can get an instruction permit at age 14. Official source ↗

South Dakota test FAQ

How many questions are on the South Dakota written test?

South Dakota doesn't publish the number of questions; you need 80% correct to pass.

Can I take the South Dakota driver's test in Spanish?

Yes. South Dakota offers the written test in Spanish.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in South Dakota?

You can get an instruction permit at age 14.

What documents do I need for a permit in South Dakota?

It depends on your situation (identity, residency and Social Security number or an alternative). Check the official list from South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program (DPS) before you go.

Documents guide → · How to pass on the first try →

11 South Dakota practice questions

1. In South Dakota, what minimum score do you need to pass the knowledge test?
1. 80%
2. 75%
3. 90%
4. 70%
Show answer
Answer: 80%
South Dakota requires a score of 80 percent or higher on the knowledge test.
Official source ↗
2. In South Dakota, if you are under 21, driving is illegal starting at what BAC?
1. 0.08%
2. 0.02%
3. 0.05%
4. 0.01%
Show answer
Answer: 0.02%
Drivers under 21 commit a misdemeanor at a BAC of 0.02 percent or more.
Official source ↗
3. What is the minimum age for an instruction permit in South Dakota?
1. 13
2. 14
3. 15
4. 16
Show answer
Answer: 14
South Dakota issues instruction permits starting at age 14, with parent or guardian consent.
Official source ↗
4. With a South Dakota restricted minor's permit, during what hours may you drive alone?
1. 6 am to midnight
2. 6 am to 10 pm
3. 5 am to 9 pm
4. 7 am to 8 pm
Show answer
Answer: 6 am to 10 pm
From 6 am to 10 pm with parent permission; later only with a parent beside you or driving directly to school, church, work or farm work.
Official source ↗
5. On a highway with two lanes in each direction, a school bus going the other way stops with red lights. What do you do?
1. You need not stop
2. Pull over to the right
3. Slow to 15 mph
4. Stop 15 feet away
Show answer
Answer: You need not stop
Under the 2025 law, oncoming traffic on highways with two or more lanes each way need not stop; traffic behind the bus must stop.
Official source ↗
6. In South Dakota, if you have an instruction permit, what does the law say about phones while driving?
1. Hands-free calls only
2. You can't use any
3. Read texts only at a stop
4. Hand-held GPS only
Show answer
Answer: You can't use any
Instruction and restricted permit holders may not use any wireless communication device while driving.
Official source ↗
7. On a South Dakota two-lane highway, a tow truck is stopped with amber lights. What do you do?
1. Come to a complete stop
2. Keep going with care
3. Slow to 5 mph below the limit
4. Slow to 20 mph below the limit
Show answer
Answer: Slow to 20 mph below the limit
At least 300 feet before the vehicle, slow to at least 20 mph below the posted limit; on multilane roads, move to the farthest lane.
Official source ↗
8. In South Dakota, how many test attempts does each fee cover?
1. 5 attempts in 1 year
2. 2 attempts in 3 months
3. 3 attempts in 6 months
4. 1 attempt per fee
Show answer
Answer: 3 attempts in 6 months
Each fee covers three test attempts within six months; after that, or after six months, you pay again.
Official source ↗
9. In South Dakota, how close to a fire hydrant may you park, at minimum?
1. 10 feet
2. 15 feet
3. 5 feet
4. 25 feet
Show answer
Answer: 15 feet
Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Official source ↗
10. In South Dakota, within how many feet of a crosswalk at an intersection may you NOT park?
1. 20 feet
2. 50 feet
3. 30 feet
4. 25 feet
Show answer
Answer: 20 feet
Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
Official source ↗
11. In South Dakota, at least how far ahead must you signal before turning?
1. 300 feet
2. 500 feet
3. 25 feet
4. 100 feet
Show answer
Answer: 100 feet
Signal 100 feet before turning.
Official source ↗

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Facts checked against the official state handbook and website in October 2026. Rules change: always check the official handbook.