The certification, the instruction permit and the minor's permit 25
A South Dakota minor completed the motorcycle safety education courses and an approved driver education class. How long must an instruction permit issued after July 1, 2020, then be held?SDCL 32-12-12.1
A South Dakota minor under 16 is convicted for the first time of violating the conditions of a motorcycle instruction permit. How long is the suspension?SDCL 32-12-15(3)
A South Dakota minor's motorcycle instruction permit was issued after July 1, 2020. For at least how many days must it be held?SDCL 32-12-11.1
A three-wheeled motor vehicle has a steering wheel and foot controls. What does South Dakota ask of its operator?SDCL 32-20-2
A visitor of 17 carries a valid motorcycle operator's license from another state. May the visitor ride in South Dakota?SDCL 32-12-24
During which hours may the holder of a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit ride?SDCL 32-12-11.1
During which hours may the holder of a South Dakota motorcycle restricted minor's permit ride with a parent's or guardian's permission?SDCL 32-12-12.1
For how long is a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit valid?SDCL 32-12-11.1
Show all 63 questions (55 more)
The certification, the instruction permit and the minor's permit, continued
For how long must a South Dakota minor of 16 or 17 have held the restricted minor's motorcycle permit before a motorcycle operator's license?SDCL 32-12-12.1
How much driving experience must the operator accompanying a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit holder have?SDCL 32-12-11.1
How old must the licensed motorcycle operator be who accompanies a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit holder?SDCL 32-12-11.1
May the holder of a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit carry a passenger?SDCL 32-12-11.1
May the renter of a South Dakota motorcycle let another person operate it?SDCL 32-20-8
On what basis does South Dakota issue a motorcycle instruction permit or motorcycle restricted minor's permit?SDCL 32-12-15
To get a South Dakota motorcycle restricted minor's permit, a minor must have no traffic conviction during what period?SDCL 32-12-12.1
What does the operator of a moped need under South Dakota's motorcycle chapter?SDCL 32-20-2
What is the youngest age at which South Dakota may issue a motorcycle instruction permit?SDCL 32-12-29
What is the youngest age at which South Dakota may issue a motorcycle restricted minor's permit?SDCL 32-12-12.1
What must a South Dakota dealer see before renting or loaning a motorcycle?SDCL 32-20-7
What must a South Dakota driver license or permit carry before its holder may operate a motorcycle on public streets?SDCL 32-20-2
What must an applicant pass before South Dakota issues a motorcycle instruction permit?SDCL 32-12-11.1
When may South Dakota's department waive the testing requirements for operating a motorcycle?SDCL 32-20-2
Where must the accompanying operator be while a South Dakota motorcycle instruction permit holder rides?SDCL 32-12-11.1
Which of these may be operated in South Dakota without the motorcycle certification on the license?SDCL 32-20-2
Who approves the motorcycle safety courses that South Dakota funds under SDCL 32-20-14?SDCL 32-20-14
Helmets, eye protection, lamps and brakes 18
A South Dakota adult wants to carry a 16-year-old passenger who has no helmet. What does SDCL 32-20-4 say?SDCL 32-20-4
Does South Dakota's parking brake requirement apply to motorcycles?SDCL 32-18-13
From how far to the rear must the red light of a South Dakota moped's tail lamp be plainly visible?SDCL 32-17-8
From how far to the rear must the red light of a South Dakota motorcycle's tail lamp be plainly visible?SDCL 32-17-8
From what distance must a South Dakota moped's headlamp make a person or vehicle clearly discernible?SDCL 32-17-24.1
From what distance to the rear must a South Dakota moped's stop lamp be visible in normal sunlight?SDCL 32-17-8.1
How many headlamps must a South Dakota motorcycle have?SDCL 32-17-24
How many stop lamps must a South Dakota motorcycle have?SDCL 32-17-8.1
What may a South Dakota motorcycle display as part of its rear brake light?SDCL 32-20-16
What must a South Dakota motorcycle operator have for the eyes?SDCL 32-20-4.1
What type of headlamp must a South Dakota moped have?SDCL 32-17-24.1
When headlights must be lighted, a South Dakota rider's tinted eye protection may not cut light transmittance below what level?SDCL 32-20-4.1
Which new vehicles does South Dakota except from its rule that new motor vehicles be sold with directional turn signals?SDCL 32-15-13
Which riders are outside South Dakota's helmet and eye protection sections?SDCL 32-20-4.2
Which standard must a South Dakota rider's protective helmet meet?SDCL 32-20-4
Which wheel does South Dakota's brake law say need not be equipped with brakes?SDCL 32-18-6
Who must wear a protective helmet on a motorcycle on South Dakota's public streets and highways?SDCL 32-20-4
Within what distance must a South Dakota motorcycle's service brake stop it from 20 miles per hour?SDCL 32-18-8
Seats, passengers and packages 7
A South Dakota motorcycle is designed for two. Besides the permanent seat, where may the passenger ride?SDCL 32-20-6.1
How many hands must a South Dakota operator keep on the handlebars while the motorcycle is in motion?SDCL 32-20-6.2
How must a person sit while riding upon a South Dakota motorcycle?SDCL 32-20-6.2
In what position may a person not ride on a South Dakota motorcycle?SDCL 32-20-6.4
What does SDCL 32-20-6.5 forbid a person riding upon a motorcycle to do?SDCL 32-20-6.5
What does South Dakota law say about carrying a package while operating a motorcycle?SDCL 32-20-6.3
Where may the operator of a South Dakota motorcycle ride?SDCL 32-20-6.1
Lane use, parks and controlled-access roads 8
How much of a traffic lane is a motorcycle entitled to in South Dakota?SDCL 32-20-9.1
South Dakota bars a motorcycle from overtaking and passing in the lane of the vehicle it overtakes. Which pair is excepted?SDCL 32-20-9.2
To which vehicles does South Dakota's motorcycle chapter not apply?SDCL 32-20-10
What does South Dakota law say about riding a motorcycle between adjacent lanes of traffic or rows of vehicles?SDCL 32-20-9.3
What is the most motorcycles that may be operated abreast in a single South Dakota lane?SDCL 32-20-9.5
Where may a motorcycle be operated inside a South Dakota municipal, county or state park?SDCL 32-20-9
Who is exempt from South Dakota's bans on passing in the same lane and on riding between lanes?SDCL 32-20-9.4
Whose use of a South Dakota controlled-access roadway may be prohibited by rule or ordinance, along with pedestrians and bicycles?SDCL 32-26-11
Motorcycles and mopeds defined 5
A South Dakota "moped" has a combustion engine. What is its maximum piston or rotor displacement?SDCL 32-20-1(2)
How many wheels does a South Dakota "moped" have?SDCL 32-20-1(2)
Under South Dakota's definition, a "motorcycle" has a saddle or seat, or what else for the driver?SDCL 32-20-1(3)
What kind of power drive system does a South Dakota "moped" have?SDCL 32-20-1(2)
Which of these does South Dakota's motorcycle chapter count as a "motorcycle"?SDCL 32-20-1(3)
How this list was compiled: Written from the South Dakota Codified Laws, Title 32 (chapters 32-12, 32-15, 32-17, 32-18, 32-20 and 32-26), sections 32-20-2, 32-20-14, 32-12-11.1, 32-12-12.1, 32-12-15, 32-12-29, 32-12-24, 32-20-7, 32-20-8, 32-20-4, 32-20-4.1, 32-20-4.2, 32-17-24, 32-17-24.1, 32-17-8, 32-17-8.1, 32-18-6, 32-18-8, 32-18-13, 32-20-16, 32-15-13, 32-20-6.1, 32-20-6.2, 32-20-6.3, 32-20-6.4, 32-20-6.5, 32-20-9.1, 32-20-9.5, 32-20-9.2, 32-20-9.3, 32-20-9.4, 32-20-9, 32-26-11, 32-20-10, 32-20-1, each read on the South Dakota Legislature's site, https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32, on 2026-09-30. Each question names its section and links to it. That a test stands behind the right to ride is SDCL 32-20-2: a motorcycle may be operated only with a driver license or permit upon which a state testing officer has certified that the person is qualified to operate it, and the department may waive the testing requirements after an approved motorcycle safety course; SDCL 32-12-11.1 issues the motorcycle instruction permit after all parts of the examination other than the driving test. No Department of Public Safety page giving the number of questions or a pass mark for the motorcycle knowledge test could be opened on 2026-09-30, so neither is used. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the statute text; nothing is copied from the state's motorcycle manual, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or another practice test.
How it works
This unofficial South Dakota motorcycle permit test practice has 63 questions from Title 32 of the Codified Laws, with the section under each. It covers the law only; riding technique is in the state's motorcycle manual, so study that too.
Read the full guide
The instruction permit: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., no passenger
A motorcycle instruction permit is valid for one year. Its holder rides between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., with no passenger, beside a licensed motorcycle operator of 18 or older with a year of experience, on another motorcycle (SDCL 32-12-11.1). From 14, a minor can move on to the motorcycle restricted minor's permit (32-12-12.1).
What South Dakota law says about the test
Section 32-20-2 asks for a license or permit on which a state testing officer has certified the rider, and lets the department waive testing after an approved safety course. The instruction permit follows every part of the examination except the driving test. No Department of Public Safety page with a question count or pass mark was read in September 2026, so no pass line is shown.
Every operator needs eye protection or a windscreen, and at night a tinted device may not pass less than 35 percent of the light (32-20-4.1).
Questions and answers
Is there a motorcycle helmet law in South Dakota?
For riders under 18, yes. Nobody under 18 may operate or ride a motorcycle without a helmet meeting federal Standard 218, and no operator may carry an under-18 passenger without one (SDCL 32-20-4). Riders in an enclosed cab are excepted.
Can two motorcycles ride side by side in South Dakota?
Yes, two and no more. Section 32-20-9.5 bars riding more than two abreast in a single lane. Riding between adjacent lanes of traffic or between rows of vehicles is not allowed (32-20-9.3).
Is this the state's own motorcycle permit test?
No. It is an unofficial practice set on a private website. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety has not seen or endorsed these questions. Each one is tied to a section of Title 32 of the Codified Laws that you can open and read.