How licensing works in South Dakota
South Dakota has three steps for teens: the instruction permit, the restricted minor's permit and the operator license.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit | 14 | Always with a licensed adult. Parent or guardian only from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Hold 275 days (180 with driver education) |
| Restricted minor's permit | After the permit period | Alone 6 a.m.–10 p.m. With a guardian 10 p.m.–6 a.m. No outside passengers for six months, then one |
| Operator license | 16 | Six months on the restricted permit, six months with no convictions, parent's written approval |
Supervised driving
Before the restricted permit, you need 50 hours of driving supervised by a parent or guardian. At least 10 hours must be at night and 10 hours in bad weather. Record your hours in the student driving log. Your parent signs the Supervised Driving Statement (or an affidavit) when you return to the exam station.
Moving up
- Have no traffic convictions in the last six months.
- Pass a drive test at an exam station, or complete state-approved driver education.
- Bring a street-legal, licensed vehicle to your scheduled drive test.
The South Dakota knowledge test
To get an instruction permit at 14, you visit a licensing location with a guardian, bring the required documents, and either pass the knowledge test or show that you completed a state-approved driver education course.
A driver education certificate can waive testing for one year from the date you finished the class. The knowledge test covers South Dakota traffic laws, safe driving and road signs from the Driver License Manual.
Rules specific to South Dakota
Night and passenger limits
With a restricted minor's permit, you may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., a legal guardian must be with you. For the first six months, you may not carry any passengers from outside your immediate family or household. After that, one such passenger is allowed.
Phones
Drivers with an instruction permit or restricted permit may not use any cell phone while driving. Texting while driving is banned for all drivers.
Penalties for young drivers
Since July 1, 2023, South Dakota has set clear suspensions for permit holders under 16:
| Offense (under 16, with a permit) | Suspension |
|---|---|
| First Class 2 misdemeanor traffic conviction or first permit-condition violation | 30 days (or more if the law requires) |
| Second violation, any felony or any Class 1 misdemeanor traffic conviction | 180 days or until age 16, whichever is longer |
Teens under 18 who drive before they have any permit or license face the same kinds of suspensions.
Advice for families
The state also gives parents some advice that goes beyond the law: ban passengers for the first year, aim for 100 hours of supervised practice, set a curfew, limit driving in bad weather and insist on seat belts every trip.
Making the most of your practice
Your supervised hours are where you really learn to drive. Plan them instead of leaving them to chance, and ask your supervisor to give you calm, clear feedback after each trip.
- Start in an empty parking lot to learn steering, braking, turning and backing.
- Move on to quiet streets, then busier roads, multi-lane roads and highways.
- Practice at night and in rain, so your first night drive alone is not your first night drive ever.
- Work on the skills a road test checks: full stops, lane changes, turns, parking and backing.
- Say out loud what you see: signs, hazards, and what other road users might do next.
In South Dakota, you need 50 hours, including 10 at night and 10 in bad weather. Write down each drive right after it ends, with the date, the time and the conditions, so your log is complete when you apply.
On test day
- Check the official website the day before for documents, hours and any appointment rules.
- Bring every document on the official list, in the form the office asks for.
- Get a good night's sleep and arrive early, so you are not rushed.
- Read each question twice. Watch for words like always, never, only and except.
- If you are not sure, rule out the answers you know are wrong, then choose the safest one.
Test tips
- Learn the key numbers: 14, 16, 275 days, 180 days, 50 hours, 10 at night, 10 in bad weather, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., six months.
- Know the difference between the instruction permit and the restricted minor's permit.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- Read every option before you answer.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers South Dakota's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.