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Free South Dakota DMV Permit Practice Test 2025
- Perfect for learner’s permit, driver’s license, and Senior Refresher Test
- Based on official South Dakota Driver's manual
- Triple-checked for accuracy
- Updated for March 2025
To obtain your South Dakota DMV driver’s permit, you must pass a vision screening and the written permit knowledge test. (If you’re under 18, you don’t have to pass the knowledge test if you completed an approved driver education course within the past year.) The knowledge test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, safe driving practices, driving under the influence, vehicle inspection, emergencies, and sharing the road, as outlined in the state’s South Dakota DMV 2025 Driver’s Manual. To pass, you must score at least 80% (20 out of 25 questions). If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait until the next business day and pay a retest fee for every three attempts. Our practice resources make sure that doesn’t happen.
Our free online South Dakota DMV Permit Practice Test is updated for March 2025. It mimics actual exam conditions and speeds the learning process by providing immediate feedback on any missed questions instead of at the end of the assessment.
The Instruction Permit is the first phase of South Dakota’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program for drivers under 18. You can apply for this as early as age 14, but must drive accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old. After turning 16 and holding your instruction permit for 180 days, you can apply for a restricted minor’s permit. This permit allows you to drive alone, but only from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM (with some exceptions for school, work, or church events). You must also have completed an approved driver education course and have no traffic convictions for the past six months. You can apply for your full license at age 16, provided you’ve held the restricted minor’s permit for six months and have had no traffic convictions during this period. If you’re over 18, you must obtain an instruction permit and then pass the road test to upgrade to an unrestricted license.
Once you’re ready to apply for the permit, go to the DMV with proof of identity (birth certificate, passport), your Social Security card, two proofs of residence (utility bill, bank statement), and signed consent from a parent or guardian (in person) if you’re under 18. Submit the documents, pass a vision screening, pay the fee, and pass the official written test.
6 min to complete
Available in EN, ES, RU
Ensuring the accuracy and quality of our program is paramount. Learn more about our rigorous standards in our Commitment to Accuracy article. 
Verified by Steven Litvintchouk,
Chief Educational Researcher, Member of ACES.
Chief Educational Researcher, Member of ACES.
Pass the first time,
guaranteed with Premium
guaranteed with Premium
What to expect on the actual SD DMV exam
25
questions
20
correct answers to pass
80%
passing score
14 y/o
minimum age to apply
FAQs
How many questions are on the permit test?
The South Dakota permit test consists of 25 questions. You need to answer at least 20 questions correctly to pass, achieving an 80% passing score.
How can I obtain a learner's permit?
To obtain a learner's permit in South Dakota, you must be at least 14 years old. You'll need to pass a vision test and a knowledge test, and provide proof of identity, social security number, and residency.
Can a 14-year-old drive in South Dakota?
Yes, in South Dakota, a 14-year-old can drive with a learner's permit. However, they must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or an adult authorized by a parent or guardian.
What tests are required for a driver's license?
To get a driver's license in South Dakota, you must pass a vision screening, a knowledge test (if you don't already have a permit), and a driving skills test.
What are the driving rules with a permit?
With a learner's permit in South Dakota, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and has at least one year of driving experience. The licensed driver must sit in the front passenger seat.
More SD DMV Written Exam Resources
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List of questions (classic view)
- Where there are both a solid and a dashed yellow line between opposing lanes of traffic, you may NOT pass
- Shared center lanes are reserved for
- On multilane roads, the _________ lane is intended to be used for passing slower vehicles.
- A driver under the age of 18 must hold a restricted permit for at least _______ before they may apply for a full driver license.
- Which of the following rules about turning is FALSE?
- If an emergency vehicle displaying flashing red or blue lights or sounding a siren or air horn is approaching, you must
- South Dakota law requires you to _________ for a pedestrian carrying a white cane or using a guide dog, whether or not the person is in a crosswalk.
- This sign is
- To hold the steering wheel, place
- When approaching an intersection without signs or signals, you must yield to
- When turning a corner, you should turn the steering wheel using
- What does this sign indicate?
- Which of the following activities can distract you from driving?
- To avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn suddenly, you should look at least ________ ahead while driving in the city.
- At high speeds, you should start to signal __________ before you turn.
- This posted sign is
- For better visibility in fog, rain, or snow, use
- _________ are areas around trucks or other large vehicles in which other vehicles may disappear into blind spots.
- When should you sound a sharp blast on your horn?
- What does this sign mean?
- If you spot a slow-moving vehicle in your lane, you should
- When there is water on the roadway, you must reduce your speed below 35 mph to avoid
- If you miss your exit on an interstate highway, what should you do?
- What does this sign mean?
- At 75 mph, your vehicle will travel _________ in the time that it takes you to react to a hazard and bring the vehicle to a stop.
- You must hold an instruction permit for at least ________ and complete a driver's ed course before you are eligible to apply for a restricted permit.
- When entering an interstate highway from an acceleration lane, you must
- This sign is
- If you are being followed closely (tailgated), you should NOT
- Without completing the driver's ed course, you must hold an instruction permit for at least ________ before you are eligible to apply for a restricted permit.
- Use __________ to ensure that you are not driving faster than the distance you can see ahead.
- What does this sign mean?
- If you are about to pass a bicycle to your immediate right and an oncoming vehicle is approaching you on your immediate left, what should you do?
- You should dim your headlights whenever you are within ________ of an oncoming vehicle.
- In South Dakota, you must use your headlights between _________ and at any other time when visibility is poor.
- This sign may be posted
- A steady yellow traffic light at an intersection indicates that you must
- If you approach a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing on a two-lane road, you must come to a complete stop at least ________ from the school bus.
- A driver at least 21 years of age can be charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol if his or her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is _______ or greater.
- A driver under 18 years of age who holds an instruction permit must accumulate at least ____ hours of supervised driving before they may apply for a driver license.
