100+ Free SD DMV Permit Test Practice Questions
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South Dakota's Move Over law applies to stopped vehicles displaying which warning lights?
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Key Facts: SD DMV Permit Test Exam
25
Multiple-Choice Questions
South Dakota DPS
80% (20/25)
Passing Score
South Dakota DPS
$28
Instruction Permit Fee
South Dakota DPS 2026
Age 14
Minimum Instruction Permit Age
South Dakota DPS
The South Dakota Driver License Knowledge Test has 25 multiple-choice questions and requires 80% (20 correct) to pass. The instruction permit fee is $28, and applicants may apply at age 14. Teens must hold the instruction permit for 275 days (or 180 days with approved driver education) and log 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather, before a restricted minor's permit. All test content comes from the official South Dakota Driver License Manual.
Sample SD DMV Permit Test Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your SD DMV Permit Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1How many questions are on the South Dakota driver license knowledge (written) test?
2What score must you reach to pass the South Dakota driver license knowledge test?
3What is the minimum age to apply for a South Dakota instruction permit?
4While driving on a South Dakota instruction permit, who must accompany the permit holder?
5How long must a teen normally hold a South Dakota instruction permit before applying for a restricted minor's permit?
6How is the South Dakota instruction permit holding period shortened?
7How many hours of supervised driving practice must a South Dakota teen log before advancing in the GDL program?
8Of the 50 supervised practice hours required for South Dakota teen drivers, how many must be completed at night and in inclement weather?
9During which hours is a South Dakota restricted minor's permit holder generally prohibited from driving?
10A South Dakota teen who has held a restricted minor's permit for less than six months may carry which passengers?
About the SD DMV Permit Test Exam
The South Dakota Driver License Knowledge Test is the written exam required to obtain an instruction permit, the first stage of South Dakota's graduated driver licensing (GDL) program. Administered by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the test has 25 multiple-choice questions covering road signs, traffic laws, right-of-way, and safe-driving practices. Applicants must also pass a vision screening. Every question is based on the official South Dakota Driver License Manual.
Questions
25 scored questions
Time Limit
No published time limit
Passing Score
80% (20 out of 25 questions correct)
Exam Fee
$28 (instruction permit fee) (South Dakota Department of Public Safety)
SD DMV Permit Test Exam Content Outline
Road Signs, Signals and Markings
Sign shapes and colors, traffic signals, flashing red and yellow lights, and yellow and white pavement markings
Right-of-Way and Intersections
Yielding rules, four-way stops, roundabouts, left turns, railroad crossings, and uncontrolled intersections
Speed Limits and Lane Use
South Dakota speed limits, the basic speed law, passing rules, merging, and multi-lane and freeway driving
Sharing the Road
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, large trucks, school buses, emergency vehicles, and the Move Over law
Alcohol, Drugs and Impaired Driving
South Dakota's 0.08% adult BAC limit, the 0.02% under-21 zero-tolerance limit, and the implied consent law
Licensing and Graduated Driver Licensing
Instruction permit, restricted minor's permit, supervised practice hours, and the full operator's license
Adverse Conditions and Safe Driving
Winter and ice driving, skid recovery, fog, distracted and drowsy driving, and collision and breakdown procedures
How to Pass the SD DMV Permit Test Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 80% (20 out of 25 questions correct)
- Exam length: 25 questions
- Time limit: No published time limit
- Exam fee: $28 (instruction permit fee)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
SD DMV Permit Test Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the South Dakota DMV permit test?
The South Dakota Driver License Knowledge Test has 25 multiple-choice questions. The questions cover road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way, speed limits, sharing the road, and safe-driving practices. Every question is based on the official South Dakota Driver License Manual published by the Department of Public Safety.
What score do I need to pass the South Dakota knowledge test?
You must score at least 80% to pass, which means answering at least 20 of the 25 questions correctly. Missing six or more questions results in a failing score. If you fail, you may study the South Dakota Driver License Manual and retake the test, sometimes after a short waiting period.
What age can I get a South Dakota instruction permit?
You can apply for a South Dakota instruction permit at 14 years of age, one of the youngest permit ages in the United States. To get the permit you must pass a vision screening and the written knowledge test. The instruction permit is the first stage of South Dakota's graduated driver licensing program.
How much does the South Dakota instruction permit cost?
The South Dakota instruction permit fee is $28, the same fee charged for an operator's license, a renewal, and a restricted minor's permit. A small administrative fee may apply when you pay by credit or debit card at the exam station. Fees are set by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
How long must I hold a South Dakota instruction permit?
A teen must hold the instruction permit for 275 days before applying for a restricted minor's permit. The waiting period drops to 180 days if the teen completes an approved driver education course. The teen must also log 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours at night and 10 in inclement weather.
What are the South Dakota BAC limits for driving?
For drivers 21 and older, the legal limit is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08%. South Dakota also has a zero-tolerance law making it illegal for drivers under 21 to drive with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. By driving on South Dakota roads, you give implied consent to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI.
What are the South Dakota speed limits I should know for the test?
Unless otherwise posted, South Dakota's default speed limits are 15 mph in school zones when children are present, 25 mph in urban areas, and up to 80 mph on rural interstate highways. The basic speed law also requires you to drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for the conditions, regardless of the posted limit.