South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 3

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe left lane is closed ahead
   • BIf you are in the left lane, you must turn left
   • CLeft turns are not allowed
   • DYou may turn left from any lane
   Show answer

   Answer: B. If you are in the left lane, you must turn left

   Get into the correct lane early. If you are in the left lane, you have to turn left at the intersection.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You see this orange and red triangle on the back of a farm tractor. What does it mean?

   • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early
   • BThe vehicle is about to turn
   • CThe vehicle is an emergency vehicle
   • DThe vehicle is carrying hazardous materials
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, so slow down early

   The slow-moving vehicle emblem is used on farm equipment, construction equipment and animal-drawn vehicles.

3. Question 3 of 25

   You are in the middle of an intersection when you hear a siren behind you. What should you do?

   • ADrive out of the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
   • BBack up out of the intersection
   • CTurn left right away
   • DStop in the middle of the intersection
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Drive out of the intersection, then pull to the right and stop

   Do not stop inside an intersection. Clear it first, then pull over to the right and stop.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What information should drivers exchange after a crash?

   • ANothing, because the police handle it
   • BOnly phone numbers
   • CNames, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance
   • DOnly the names of their insurance companies
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Names, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance

   Give and get names, addresses, license numbers, registration and insurance details from the other drivers involved.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Your car stalls on railroad tracks and a train is coming. What should you do?

   • ATry to push the car off the tracks
   • BRun along the tracks away from the train
   • CStay in the car and keep trying to start it
   • DGet everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Get everyone out and walk away from the tracks at an angle toward the train

   Get out right away. Moving toward the train at an angle keeps you away from flying debris, which spreads in the direction the train is going.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which numbered marking means that drivers from both directions may not pass?

   • AMarking 5
   • BMarking 3
   • CMarking 2
   • DMarking 4
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Marking 3

   A double solid yellow line (marking 3) means no passing in either direction.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Which road users are especially hard to see at night?

   • ATrucks with clearance lights
   • BPolice cars with lights flashing
   • CBuses with interior lights on
   • DPedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists

   People walking, cycling or riding motorcycles are much harder to see in the dark. Slow down and look carefully.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Where is this pennant-shaped sign placed?

   • AOn the right side of the road
   • BOnly on freeway on-ramps
   • COver the middle of the road
   • DOn the left side of the road
   Show answer

   Answer: D. On the left side of the road

   The yellow pennant is posted on the left side of two-lane roads, where you look before passing. It marks the start of a no-passing zone.

9. Question 9 of 25

   Reading or sending a text takes your eyes off the road for about 5 seconds. At 55 mph, how far do you travel in that time?

   • AAbout 10 feet
   • BAbout one car length
   • CAbout one mile
   • DAbout the length of a football field
   Show answer

   Answer: D. About the length of a football field

   At 55 mph, 5 seconds of looking at a phone is like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road becomes divided
    • BA narrow bridge is ahead
    • CA new lane is added
    • DThe right lane ends; merge left when it is safe
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The right lane ends; merge left when it is safe

    If you are in the lane that ends, signal and move over when there is a safe gap. Drivers in the other lane should help by adjusting speed.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right
    • BThe divided highway ends
    • CA narrow bridge is ahead
    • DA crossroad is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The road ahead becomes a divided highway; keep right

    A median or barrier will separate the two directions of traffic. Keep to the right of it.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA bike repair shop is ahead
    • BBicycles may cross or enter the road ahead
    • CThe bike lane ends and bicycles must leave the road
    • DBicycles are not allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Bicycles may cross or enter the road ahead

    Watch for people on bicycles crossing or riding on the road. Slow down and give them plenty of room.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A driver holds the left arm out the window, bent upward at the elbow. What does this hand signal mean?

    • AHazard ahead
    • BSlowing down or stopping
    • CRight turn
    • DLeft turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Right turn

    The left arm bent upward means a right turn.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Which of these is an illegal place to park?

    • AIn a marked space next to the curb
    • BOn a residential street with no signs
    • CIn an open space in a parking lot
    • DIn a crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: D. In a crosswalk

    You may never park in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, because it blocks people who are crossing.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • APass the car in front before you reach the crosswalk
    • BHonk to warn the children
    • CSlow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk
    • DSpeed up to get past the crosswalk quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow down, watch for children, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk

    The arrow points to the school crosswalk. Stop for children in the crosswalk and follow any crossing guard. Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATraffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in
    • BTwo lanes become three
    • CYour lane ends and you must exit
    • DA divided highway begins
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Traffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in

    Traffic is merging from the side shown. Adjust your speed, or change lanes if it is safe, so vehicles can merge smoothly.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • A55 mph is the suggested speed for a curve
    • BOnly trucks must keep to 55 mph
    • CYou must drive at least 55 mph
    • D55 mph is the fastest you may legally drive here in good conditions
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 55 mph is the fastest you may legally drive here in good conditions

    A white speed limit sign shows the maximum legal speed. In bad weather or heavy traffic you must drive slower.

18. Question 18 of 25

    Car A and Car B reach this intersection, which has no signs or signals, at about the same time. Which car must yield?

    • AWhichever car is going faster
    • BCar B
    • CNeither car; both may go at once
    • DCar A
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Car A

    At an uncontrolled intersection, if two cars arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Car B is on Car A's right, so Car A must yield.

19. Question 19 of 25

    This yellow plate is posted under a curve sign. What does it tell you?

    • AThe legal speed limit for the whole road is 35 mph
    • BOnly trucks must slow to 35 mph
    • CThe minimum speed is 35 mph
    • DThe recommended speed for the curve is 35 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The recommended speed for the curve is 35 mph

    Yellow speed plates give an advisory speed for a curve or hazard in good conditions. Drive slower if the road is wet or icy.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What usually happens if you refuse a chemical test after an arrest for impaired driving?

    • AYou get a written warning
    • BNothing happens
    • CYour driver license is suspended or revoked
    • DYou must retake the written test only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your driver license is suspended or revoked

    Refusing a test brings its own penalties, including losing your license, even if you are not convicted of impaired driving.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Can cold or allergy medicine you buy without a prescription affect your driving?

    • ANo, only prescription drugs affect driving
    • BOnly if you take it with food
    • CNo, these medicines are always safe
    • DYes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Yes, some can make you drowsy, so read the label

    Many over-the-counter medicines cause drowsiness. Read the warning label and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

22. Question 22 of 25

    The lights are flashing at a railroad crossing. Where should you stop?

    • ARight next to the rail
    • BAt least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail
    • CAt least 200 feet before the tracks
    • DOn the tracks, so you can see better
    Show answer

    Answer: B. At least 15 feet but no more than 50 feet from the nearest rail

    Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail, and wait until the train has passed and it is safe.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AOne sharp curve to the right is ahead
    • BA series of curves is ahead
    • CThe road is slippery ahead
    • DLanes shift ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A series of curves is ahead

    The road has three or more curves in a row. Slow down and stay in your lane.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA passing lane is ahead
    • BTraffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road
    • CTwo lanes go your way
    • DA divided highway begins
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road

    You are leaving a one-way road or divided highway. Oncoming traffic will be beside you, so keep right.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which of these is a warning sign that you are too sleepy to drive?

    • AChecking your mirrors often
    • BWanting to change the radio station
    • CFeeling hungry
    • DDrifting over lane lines or hitting rumble strips
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Drifting over lane lines or hitting rumble strips

    Drifting from your lane or hitting rumble strips means you are drowsy. Stop in a safe place and rest.

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