South Dakota Permit Practice Test Cited to the Codified Laws

Title 32 turned into practice: pick an answer and press Check answer on 174 South Dakota statute questions and 48 on signs, then open the linked section.

A low-speed vehicle may not be driven on a South Dakota highway where the limit is above what speed?

Pick an answer, then press Check answer. Then you see Correct or Not quite, with the reason. Keys: A to D pick, Enter checks.

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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Bank checked September 18, 2026.

All 174 questions

Speed and following distance 18

  • A low-speed vehicle may not be driven on a South Dakota highway where the limit is above what speed? SDCL 32-25-27
  • Away from the interstate, what is South Dakota's general maximum speed on a highway where no other limit has been set? SDCL 32-25-1.1
  • Below what speed is it a Class 2 misdemeanor to drive on a South Dakota interstate without a permit? SDCL 32-25-5
  • How does South Dakota law define a lawful following distance? SDCL 32-26-40
  • In a South Dakota urban area with no speed signs, what is the fastest lawful speed? SDCL 32-25-12
Show all 174 questions (169 more)

Speed and following distance, continued

  • On a two-lane South Dakota highway posted at 65 mph or more, by how much does the limit rise while you pass a vehicle moving slower than the posted speed? SDCL 32-25-28
  • Outside a business or residence district in South Dakota, what must a truck following another truck do when conditions permit? SDCL 32-26-41
  • South Dakota calls an intersection view obstructed when, during the last 50 feet, the driver cannot see the crossing highway for what distance? SDCL 32-25-15
  • The Transportation Commission may raise the limit on a rural divided four-lane state trunk highway in South Dakota to what speed? SDCL 32-25-7.1
  • Under South Dakota law a rail crossing view is obstructed if, in the last 200 feet, the driver cannot see the track for what distance in each direction? SDCL 32-25-13
  • What happens to a speeding fine in a South Dakota highway work area when workers are present? SDCL 32-25-19.1
  • What is the maximum speed on a South Dakota interstate highway when no lower limit is posted? SDCL 32-25-4
  • What is the South Dakota limit when passing a school during recess or while children are arriving or leaving at opening or closing hours? SDCL 32-25-14
  • What is the speed limit on a South Dakota township road that carries no posted limit? SDCL 32-25-9.2
  • When may a South Dakota driver travel slowly enough to hold up the normal flow of traffic? SDCL 32-25-5.1
  • Which group is excused from South Dakota's rule that a caravan must leave gaps another vehicle can enter? SDCL 32-26-42
  • Which statement matches South Dakota's basic speed rule? SDCL 32-25-3
  • Within 50 feet of a South Dakota railway grade crossing where the view is obstructed, what is the maximum speed? SDCL 32-25-13

Lanes and passing 20

  • A faster vehicle signals that it wants to pass you on a South Dakota highway. What must you do? SDCL 32-26-31
  • A funeral procession is moving along a two-lane South Dakota road. May a driver who is not part of it pass the procession? SDCL 32-26-55
  • Before moving left of center to pass in South Dakota, what must be true of the left side? SDCL 32-26-34
  • How may a driver get onto or off a South Dakota controlled-access highway? SDCL 32-26-10
  • How much room must a South Dakota driver leave when passing a bicycle where the posted limit is 35 mph or less? SDCL 32-26-26.1
  • How much room must a South Dakota driver leave when passing a bicycle where the posted limit is above 35 mph? SDCL 32-26-26.1
  • In South Dakota, how does a driver overtake another vehicle going the same direction? SDCL 32-26-26
  • Near which structures does South Dakota ban driving left of center within 100 feet when the view is obstructed? SDCL 32-26-36
  • On a South Dakota highway wide enough for it, where must a vehicle be driven? SDCL 32-26-1
  • On a South Dakota road marked with lanes, when may a driver move out of the lane? SDCL 32-26-6
  • On a South Dakota roadway divided into three lanes, what is the center lane for? SDCL 32-26-7
  • Signs and pavement markings show a no-passing zone on a South Dakota highway. What does that mean for you? SDCL 32-26-39
  • To give a bicycle the required room in South Dakota, what may a driver do? SDCL 32-26-26.1
  • Two drivers meet head-on on a narrow South Dakota road. What does each owe the other? SDCL 32-26-3
  • What does South Dakota require of a driver on a mountain highway with narrow, winding curves? SDCL 32-26-4
  • Where does South Dakota forbid driving on the left side of the road to pass because the driver cannot see far enough? SDCL 32-26-35
  • Where may a driver cross the dividing strip of a South Dakota divided highway? SDCL 32-26-9
  • Which of these is a situation where South Dakota allows passing on the right? SDCL 32-26-27
  • While passing on the right in South Dakota, what may a driver never do? SDCL 32-26-28
  • Within how many feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing does South Dakota ban driving on the left side of the roadway? SDCL 32-26-36

Right-of-way, school buses and emergency vehicles 23

  • A fire hose lies across a South Dakota street. When may you drive over it? SDCL 32-31-8
  • A pedestrian with a white cane, or guided by a dog, starts to cross a South Dakota street. What must an approaching driver do? SDCL 32-27-7
  • A police car approaches with siren and flashing red lights on a South Dakota street. What must you do? SDCL 32-31-6
  • A South Dakota driver wants to turn left across oncoming traffic. Who goes first? SDCL 32-26-19
  • A South Dakota school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing. How far from the bus must you stop? SDCL 32-32-6
  • An emergency vehicle is stopped on a South Dakota highway with red lights flashing. What does the law require as you approach? SDCL 32-31-6.1
  • How does South Dakota classify passing a stopped school bus that has its red lights flashing? SDCL 32-32-6
  • How far back must a South Dakota driver stay from fire apparatus answering an alarm? SDCL 32-31-7
  • In a South Dakota business or residence district, a pedestrian crosses mid-block, away from any crosswalk or intersection. Who yields? SDCL 32-27-4
  • In a South Dakota business or residence district, a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk at a corner with no signal. What must the driver do? SDCL 32-27-1
  • On a South Dakota interstate, a tow truck sits on the shoulder with amber lights flashing. What must you do? SDCL 32-31-6.1
  • On a two-lane South Dakota highway posted at 55 mph, a vehicle with amber warning lights is stopped on the shoulder. How slow must you go past it? SDCL 32-31-6.1
  • On a two-lane South Dakota road you come up on a school bus with amber warning lights flashing. What must you do? SDCL 32-32-6
  • Two vehicles reach a South Dakota intersection at about the same time. Who yields? SDCL 32-26-13
  • What does South Dakota law say about the right-of-way of a driver who is speeding? SDCL 32-26-13
  • What does South Dakota law tell a pedestrian standing at the curb? SDCL 32-27-1
  • What is the minimum fine for breaking South Dakota's rule on passing stopped vehicles that show warning lights? SDCL 32-31-6.1
  • What may a driver outside a South Dakota funeral procession not do while the procession is moving? SDCL 32-26-55
  • When must a South Dakota driver yield the right-of-way to people doing maintenance, survey or construction work on a highway? SDCL 32-27-10
  • Where no sidewalk exists, on which side of a South Dakota highway should a pedestrian walk? SDCL 32-27-5
  • Who has the right-of-way when South Dakota highway maintenance equipment is working on the road? SDCL 32-26-16
  • You are on a South Dakota highway with two lanes in each direction. A school bus facing you on the other side stops with red lights flashing. Must you stop? SDCL 32-32-6
  • You are pulling onto a South Dakota public highway from a private road, alley or driveway. What must you do? SDCL 32-26-14

Signals, turns and parking 26

  • A signal warns that a train is coming at a South Dakota grade crossing. Where must you stop? SDCL 32-29-4
  • A South Dakota driver passes a yield sign without stopping and collides with a vehicle in the intersection. How does the law treat that? SDCL 32-29-3
  • A South Dakota intersection has a stop sign but no stop line and no crosswalk. Where do you stop? SDCL 32-29-2.1
  • A South Dakota traffic signal is completely dark. How do you treat it? SDCL 32-28-8.2
  • For how far must a South Dakota driver signal before turning? SDCL 32-26-18.1
  • From which position does a South Dakota driver begin a left turn on a two-way road? SDCL 32-26-18
  • How close to a crosswalk at an intersection may you park in South Dakota? SDCL 32-30-6
  • How close to a fire hydrant may you park in South Dakota? SDCL 32-30-6
  • How close to the nearest rail of a South Dakota railroad crossing may you park? SDCL 32-30-6.2
  • How is a right turn made at a South Dakota intersection? SDCL 32-26-17
  • On the approach to a stop sign or traffic signal at the side of a South Dakota road, parking is banned within how many feet? SDCL 32-30-6
  • What arm signal shows a left turn under South Dakota law? SDCL 32-26-24
  • What arm signal shows that a South Dakota driver is stopping or slowing? SDCL 32-26-24
  • What does a flashing yellow signal mean in South Dakota? SDCL 32-28-8
  • What does a steady yellow signal tell a South Dakota driver? SDCL 32-28-3
  • What must a South Dakota driver do at a flashing red signal? SDCL 32-28-7
  • When is a left turn on red lawful in South Dakota? SDCL 32-28-4.1
  • When may a South Dakota driver back a vehicle? SDCL 32-30-20
  • When may a South Dakota driver turn right at a steady red light? SDCL 32-28-4
  • When you park along a South Dakota two-way street with a curb, how close must your right wheels be to it? SDCL 32-30-2.1
  • Where does South Dakota flatly ban turning around to go the opposite way? SDCL 32-26-25
  • Which use of turn signals does South Dakota law prohibit? SDCL 32-26-22.1
  • Which vehicle must stop at every South Dakota railroad grade crossing even when no train is signaled? SDCL 32-29-5
  • You drive out of an alley or driveway in a South Dakota business or residence district. Where must you stop? SDCL 32-29-2.2
  • You leave a vehicle standing on a South Dakota highway. How much of the main-traveled road must stay clear beside it? SDCL 32-30-2
  • You leave your car unattended on a South Dakota hill. What does the law require? SDCL 32-30-5

Lights and equipment 25

  • A bicycle ridden at night in South Dakota needs a front lamp visible from what distance? SDCL 32-17-25
  • A chain, rope or cable connects a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle on a South Dakota highway. How long may it be? SDCL 32-19-7
  • A South Dakota vehicle's horn must be heard under normal conditions from at least what distance? SDCL 32-15-10
  • A South Dakota vehicle's rear-vision mirror must show the highway behind for at least what distance? SDCL 32-15-8
  • Above what towing speed does South Dakota require safety chains or cables in addition to the trailer hitch? SDCL 32-19-9
  • At night a vehicle is parked on a South Dakota highway outside any municipality. From how far must its lights be visible? SDCL 32-17-27
  • During which hours must a vehicle's lamps be lit on a South Dakota highway? SDCL 32-17-4
  • During which months are metal-studded tires lawful on South Dakota highways? SDCL 32-19-3
  • From how far must the two red tail lamps on a current passenger car be visible in South Dakota? SDCL 32-17-8
  • How many spot lamps may a South Dakota motor vehicle carry? SDCL 32-17-19
  • In daylight, South Dakota requires lamps whenever a person on the highway cannot be clearly seen at what distance ahead? SDCL 32-17-4
  • South Dakota requires stop lamps that can be seen in normal sunlight from what distance to the rear? SDCL 32-17-8.1
  • What does South Dakota law say about an object dangling between the driver and the windshield? SDCL 32-15-6
  • What does South Dakota require of a load carried on a highway? SDCL 32-15-18
  • What does South Dakota's headlamp dimming statute say about meeting or overtaking another vehicle? SDCL 32-17-7
  • What extra light must a vehicle with a slow-moving vehicle emblem carry on a South Dakota highway after dark? SDCL 32-17-46
  • What is the lowest light transmission South Dakota allows for tint on windows behind the driver's seat? SDCL 32-15-2.5
  • What is the lowest light transmittance South Dakota allows for tint on the front side windows beside the driver? SDCL 32-15-2.4
  • What is the minimum tread depth for the tires of a passenger car on South Dakota highways? SDCL 32-19-13
  • What must a South Dakota vehicle's parking brake be able to do? SDCL 32-18-13
  • Where may a television screen not be placed in a South Dakota motor vehicle? SDCL 32-15-9
  • Which exhaust device is banned on South Dakota highways? SDCL 32-15-17
  • Which vehicles may show a red light visible from the front in South Dakota? SDCL 32-17-9
  • Which vehicles must display the slow-moving vehicle emblem on a South Dakota public highway? SDCL 32-15-20
  • The white light over a South Dakota rear license plate must make the plate readable from how far back? SDCL 32-17-11

Seat belts, child seats and phones 15

  • A South Dakota child under five may ride in a seat belt instead of a child restraint at what weight? SDCL 32-37-1
  • Does a South Dakota seat belt violation under section 32-38-1 add points to a driving record? SDCL 32-38-1
  • How is South Dakota's adult seat belt law enforced? SDCL 32-38-5
  • How is the wireless device ban for South Dakota instruction permit and restricted minor's permit holders enforced? SDCL 32-12-12.4
  • In South Dakota, who is responsible for seeing that a 10-year-old passenger is belted? SDCL 32-37-1.1
  • May a South Dakota instruction permit holder use a phone hands-free while driving? SDCL 32-12-11
  • Navigation apps are an exception to South Dakota's device law. What part of using them is still banned while driving? SDCL 32-26-47.1
  • South Dakota's child restraint chapter puts a separate seat belt duty on which group of drivers? SDCL 32-37-1.2
  • Under what age must a child ride in a child passenger restraint system in South Dakota? SDCL 32-37-1
  • What does South Dakota law call opening a vehicle door into moving traffic before it is safe? SDCL 32-30-2.5
  • What is South Dakota's general rule on mobile electronic devices behind the wheel? SDCL 32-26-47.1
  • Which occupant is excused from South Dakota's front seat belt rule? SDCL 32-38-3
  • Which phone use stays legal for a fully licensed adult driving in South Dakota? SDCL 32-26-47.1
  • Who must wear a seat belt in a passenger vehicle moving forward on a South Dakota public highway? SDCL 32-38-1
  • You are stopped at a red light in South Dakota. Does the mobile device law treat you as operating the vehicle? SDCL 32-26-46

Permits, points and insurance 25

  • A South Dakota instruction permit holder under 16 gets a first Class 2 misdemeanor traffic conviction. What follows? SDCL 32-12-15
  • A South Dakota restricted minor's permit holder may drive alone during which hours with a parent's permission? SDCL 32-12-12
  • After the first six months, how many passengers under 18 from outside the family or household may a South Dakota restricted minor's permit holder carry? SDCL 32-12-12.5
  • At what age may a South Dakota minor move up to an operator's license? SDCL 32-12-17
  • Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., who must sit beside a South Dakota instruction permit holder? SDCL 32-12-11
  • Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., who must sit beside a South Dakota instruction permit holder? SDCL 32-12-11
  • During the first six months of a South Dakota restricted minor's permit, which passengers may ride along? SDCL 32-12-12.5
  • For how long is a South Dakota instruction permit valid? SDCL 32-12-11
  • How does South Dakota classify driving without any form of financial responsibility in force? SDCL 32-35-113
  • How many points does a South Dakota reckless driving conviction carry? SDCL 32-12-49.1
  • How many points does South Dakota assess for a speeding conviction? SDCL 32-12-49.1
  • How many points within 12 consecutive months expose a South Dakota driver to suspension? SDCL 32-12-49.2
  • How many supervised driving hours must a South Dakota instruction permit holder log? SDCL 32-12-11
  • Of a South Dakota permit holder's supervised hours, how many must be driven in inclement weather? SDCL 32-12-11
  • One South Dakota application fee covers how many attempts at the examination? SDCL 32-12-2
  • What does South Dakota require a licensed driver to have at hand while driving? SDCL 32-12-39
  • What is the application fee for an original South Dakota driver license, which the instruction permit fee matches? SDCL 32-12-16
  • What is the youngest age for a South Dakota instruction permit? SDCL 32-12-11
  • What minimum liability limits must a South Dakota owner's policy carry? SDCL 32-35-70
  • When must a South Dakota driver show written evidence of financial responsibility to an officer? SDCL 32-35-116
  • Which of these is part of the South Dakota driver license examination by statute? SDCL 32-12-4
  • Which trip is exempt from the time-of-day limits on a South Dakota restricted minor's permit? SDCL 32-12-12
  • Who must sign the license or permit application of a South Dakota applicant under 18? SDCL 32-12-6
  • With an approved driver education course, how long must a South Dakota instruction permit issued today be held? SDCL 32-12-12
  • Without driver education, how long must a South Dakota instruction permit issued today be held before a restricted minor's permit? SDCL 32-12-11

Alcohol and crashes 22

  • A first South Dakota conviction for driving under the influence brings a license revocation of at least how long? SDCL 32-23-2
  • A first-offense South Dakota driver tests at or above what level and must undergo a court-ordered chemical dependency evaluation? SDCL 32-23-2.1
  • A second South Dakota conviction for driving under the influence brings a license revocation of at least how long? SDCL 32-23-3
  • A South Dakota court convicts a driver of organized street racing. For how long must the license be revoked? SDCL 32-24-12
  • A South Dakota crash causes no injury. At what apparent property damage to one person's property must you notify law enforcement immediately? SDCL 32-34-7
  • A South Dakota driver refuses the chemical test and the refusal is upheld at a hearing. For how long is the license revoked? SDCL 32-23-11
  • At what blood alcohol level is it illegal for an adult to drive in South Dakota? SDCL 32-23-1
  • For how long does a South Dakota court suspend the license of an under-21 driver on a first conviction under the 0.02 law? SDCL 32-23-21
  • How does South Dakota classify a third offense of driving under the influence? SDCL 32-23-4
  • How does South Dakota classify leaving the scene of a crash that injured or killed someone? SDCL 32-34-5
  • How does South Dakota classify reckless driving? SDCL 32-24-1
  • In a South Dakota prosecution, what presumption arises from a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent or less? SDCL 32-23-7
  • What alcohol level is illegal for a South Dakota driver under 21? SDCL 32-23-21
  • What does South Dakota's implied consent law say about anyone who operates a vehicle in the state? SDCL 32-23-10
  • What is the charge in South Dakota for intentionally failing to stop when a uniformed officer signals you to? SDCL 32-33-18
  • What separates careless driving from reckless driving in South Dakota? SDCL 32-24-8
  • Where may an opened container of alcohol ride in a vehicle on a South Dakota public highway? SDCL 35-1-9.1
  • Which behavior is exhibition driving under South Dakota law? SDCL 32-24-9
  • Which place inside the passenger area does South Dakota accept for an opened alcoholic beverage? SDCL 35-1-9.3
  • Who is outside South Dakota's driving under the influence chapter? SDCL 32-23-22
  • You are in a South Dakota crash that injures someone. What must you do at once? SDCL 32-34-3
  • You scrape an unattended parked car in South Dakota and cannot find the owner. What must you do? SDCL 32-34-4

How this list was compiled: Written from the South Dakota Codified Laws, Title 32 (chapters 32-12, 32-15, 32-17, 32-18, 32-19, 32-23, 32-24, 32-25, 32-26, 32-27, 32-28, 32-29, 32-30, 32-31, 32-32, 32-33, 32-34, 32-35, 32-37 and 32-38) and sections 35-1-9.1 and 35-1-9.3, read on the South Dakota Legislature's site, https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32, checked 2026-09-18. Each question names its section. Permit age, permit hours and the $38 application fee come from SDCL 32-12-11 and 32-12-16, not from a handbook. No exam format facts (question count, pass mark) are given, because none was confirmed on a Department of Public Safety page; SDCL 32-12-4 lists what the examination covers and sets no length or pass mark. Licence: Own work. Questions, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the statute text; nothing is copied from the South Dakota Driver License Manual or another practice test.

All 48 questions

Sign shapes 8

  • A five-sided sign with its point at the top warns of what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1
  • A pennant-shaped sign, a long triangle lying on its side and pointing right, marks what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1
  • A triangle-shaped sign with one point facing down is used only for which sign? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1
  • The crossbuck, two crossed white boards forming an X, is used for which sign? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1
  • Most warning signs, such as curve and merge signs, have which shape? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.02
Show all 48 questions (43 more)

Sign shapes, continued

  • Speed limit signs and most other regulatory signs have which shape? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1
  • Which shape is used for the advance warning sign placed before a railroad crossing? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1
  • Which sign shape is used only for the STOP sign? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2A.05, Table 2A-1

Sign colors 10

  • A fluorescent pink sign is used for what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • A fluorescent yellow-green sign warns of what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • A sign with a black legend on a white background, such as a speed limit sign, is what kind of sign? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • A yellow background on a traffic sign means what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • Blue signs point drivers to what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • Brown signs guide drivers to what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • Green signs give what kind of information? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • Orange signs are used for what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • Purple on a sign or lane marking means the lane is for whom? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05
  • What does a red background on a traffic sign mean? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 1D.05

Regulatory signs 9

  • A PASS WITH CARE sign is placed where? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.37
  • A red plaque reading ALL-WAY under a STOP sign tells you what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.04
  • A STOP sign is used on an approach where what is required? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.04
  • On a parking sign, what does a green legend on a white background mean? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.53
  • What does a Keep Right sign on a median or island mean? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.39
  • What does a ONE WAY sign tell you? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.49
  • What does a YIELD sign require you to do? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.05
  • Where is a DO NOT ENTER sign used? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.46
  • Which sign may stand farther along a one-way road or ramp to back up a DO NOT ENTER sign? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2B.47

Warning signs 9

  • A low clearance warning sign must be posted when the space under a bridge is less than what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.25
  • A small yellow plaque showing a speed, mounted under a curve sign, gives what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.59
  • A Stop Ahead, Yield Ahead or Signal Ahead sign is required when what is true? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.35
  • A Two-Way Traffic sign warns that you are moving from what to what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.51
  • A Winding Road sign is used in place of separate curve signs when the road has how many changes of direction close together? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.07
  • Chevron alignment signs, a row of arrowhead panels, are placed where? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.08
  • On which side of the road does the NO PASSING ZONE pennant stand? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.53
  • What colors does a standard warning sign use? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.02
  • What does a Lane Ends sign warn of? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 2C.47

Pavement markings 9

  • A center lane bordered on each side by a solid yellow line with a broken yellow line inside it is what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.05
  • A double solid yellow center line means what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.01
  • A row of solid white triangles across your lane, pointing toward you, is what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.19
  • A single broken yellow center line means what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.01
  • A white diamond painted in a lane means the lane is for what? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3E.03
  • The center line is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. Who may pass? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.01
  • What color is the line along the right edge of the road? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.09
  • What do white lines along the length of a road separate? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3A.03
  • What do yellow lines along the length of a road separate? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3A.03

Railroad crossings 3

  • A small plaque under the crossbuck shows a number. What is it? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 8B.03
  • On the approach to a railroad crossing, the center line is marked how? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 3B.03
  • What does the white crossbuck sign reading RAILROAD CROSSING require in most states? MUTCD 11th Edition, Section 8B.03

How this list was compiled: Written from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 11th Edition (December 2023), Federal Highway Administration, https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_11th_Edition.htm, checked 2026-09-18. Each question names the MUTCD section it was written from. Licence: Own work. Question wording, answer choices and explanations were written for this site from the MUTCD text; nothing is copied from a state driver manual or another practice test.

How it works

A South Dakota instruction permit starts at age 14 under section 32-12-11, and the written examination covers state traffic law and highway signs. This unofficial South Dakota permit practice test holds 174 free questions from Title 32 of the Codified Laws, each linked to its section, plus 48 on federal road signs. Statutes read 18 September 2026.

Read the full guide

The Department of Public Safety gives the exam

South Dakota has no DMV. Under section 32-12-4 the Department of Public Safety examines every applicant on eyesight, highway signs, state traffic laws and, later, driving. This page rehearses the written part only.

Where Title 32 parts ways with a national quiz

The interstate limit is 80 mph with a 40 mph floor (sections 32-25-4 and 32-25-5). On a two-lane highway posted at 65 or more, section 32-25-28 adds 10 mph while you pass a slower vehicle. A stopped emergency vehicle showing red lights means a complete stop (32-31-6.1). The headlamp statute, 32-17-7, names no dimming distance, so this bank never asks for one.

  • Read section 32-12-11 before test day: 50 supervised hours, 10 in bad weather and at least 10 at night, a parent or guardian beside you after 10 p.m., and no phone of any kind.
  • Learn the 15s as a set: 15 mph past a school at recess, 15 mph near a blind rail crossing or intersection, 15 feet back from a school bus showing red, and 15 points in 12 months for a suspension.
  • Section 32-12-2 gives one application fee up to three attempts at the examination within six months, and section 32-12-16 sets that fee at $38.

Questions and answers

How many questions are on the South Dakota permit test?

No published number was found. Title 32 sets none. Section 32-12-4 lists what the examination covers (eyesight, highway signs, state traffic law, then driving) and leaves length and pass mark to the Department of Public Safety. Neither figure was confirmed on a department page by 18 September 2026. Exam mode, below the question, asks 25 questions, this site's choice. The result gives a score overall and by topic, with no pass verdict.

Does the South Dakota driving test practice here cover the road test?

No. Section 32-12-4 lists an actual demonstration of driving ability as its own piece of the examination, and a quiz cannot stand in for it. Seat time does: the instruction permit requires 50 supervised hours.

Where do the 174 questions come from?

From the South Dakota Codified Laws, read on the Legislature's website on 18 September 2026. Nothing was taken from the Driver License Manual or from the department's examination, which this site has never seen. Every question shows its section, such as SDCL 32-25-4, and links to it.