South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 4

1. Question 1 of 25

   Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor. What should you try first?

   • ATurn off the engine
   • BShift into park
   • COpen the door to drag your foot
   • DPump the brake pedal to build up pressure
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Pump the brake pedal to build up pressure

   Pumping the pedal may build enough pressure to stop. If that fails, use the parking brake slowly and shift to a lower gear.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • APedestrians are not allowed on this road
   • BThe sidewalk ends ahead
   • CPedestrians must yield to cars here
   • DPeople may be crossing; slow down and yield to pedestrians
   Show answer

   Answer: D. People may be crossing; slow down and yield to pedestrians

   Watch for people crossing the road. Be ready to stop and yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

3. Question 3 of 25

   A pedestrian with a white cane or a guide dog is waiting to cross. What should you do?

   • AStop and let the person cross, without honking
   • BWave the person across from far away
   • CHonk so the person knows you are there
   • DDrive around the person
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and let the person cross, without honking

   Pedestrians who use white canes or guide dogs have the right-of-way. Do not honk at a blind pedestrian.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You see this emblem on the back of a vehicle. What does it mean?

   • AThe vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment
   • BThe vehicle carries hazardous materials
   • CIt is carrying a wide load
   • DIt is an emergency vehicle
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The vehicle moves much slower than normal traffic, like farm equipment

   You can come up on these vehicles very quickly. Slow down early and pass only when it is safe and legal.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ATraffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge
   • BTwo-way traffic ahead
   • CThe road narrows ahead
   • DYou must merge left now
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Traffic joining from the side gets its own lane, so it does not need to merge

   The entering traffic gets a new lane. Still watch for drivers who change lanes.

6. Question 6 of 25

   You hit a parked car and the owner is not around. What should you do?

   • AAsk a stranger to watch the car
   • BWait one minute, then leave
   • CTry to find the owner, or leave your information and notify the police
   • DDrive away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Try to find the owner, or leave your information and notify the police

   If you damage an unattended car or property, you must try to find the owner or report it to the police.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What is the center lane shown here used for?

   • ADriving for long distances in heavy traffic
   • BLeft turns by drivers from both directions
   • CPassing slower vehicles
   • DParking and loading
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Left turns by drivers from both directions

   A two-way left-turn lane is shared by drivers from both directions to make left turns. It is not a travel lane or passing lane.

8. Question 8 of 25

   On a freeway with two or more lanes going your way, what is the left lane mainly for?

   • AStopping in an emergency
   • BPassing
   • CSlow vehicles
   • DTrucks only
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Passing

   Keep right except to pass. If many vehicles pass you on the right, move right and let them go by on the left.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ADetour to the right
   • BRight turns only
   • CTraffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow
   • DKeep to the right of the divider
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow

   Drive only in the direction of the arrow. You may not drive the other way on a one-way street.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe center lane is only for left turns by traffic from both directions
    • BThe center lane is a passing lane
    • CThe left lane must turn left
    • DTwo lanes may turn left
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The center lane is only for left turns by traffic from both directions

    Use the shared center lane only to slow down and turn left. Never use it to pass or to travel a long way.

11. Question 11 of 25

    Your car starts to hydroplane. What should you do?

    • ATurn sharply toward the shoulder
    • BBrake hard right away
    • CSpeed up to get through the water
    • DEase off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ease off the gas and keep the wheel straight without braking hard

    Slowly take your foot off the gas and hold the wheel steady until the tires grip again. Do not use the brakes hard.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does the yellow diamond shape of this sign tell you?

    • AIt marks a work zone
    • BIt shows directions to a city
    • CIt warns of a hazard or change in the road ahead
    • DIt gives a rule you must obey
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It warns of a hazard or change in the road ahead

    Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs. Slow down and get ready for what the symbol shows.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Which of these is distracted driving?

    • AScanning the road ahead
    • BEating or changing the music while driving
    • CKeeping both hands on the wheel
    • DChecking your mirrors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Eating or changing the music while driving

    Any activity that takes your attention from driving is a distraction, including eating, talking and adjusting the stereo or GPS.

14. Question 14 of 25

    Someone is hurt in a crash. When should you move the injured person?

    • AAlways, to make them comfortable
    • BOnly if there is a danger such as fire
    • CRight away, to check for injuries
    • DOnly to drive them to the hospital yourself
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only if there is a danger such as fire

    Moving an injured person can make injuries worse. Move them only if they face a life-threatening danger, and call for help.

15. Question 15 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AYou may not turn while the light is red; wait for green
    • BNo turns are allowed at any time
    • CThere is a red-light camera ahead
    • DYou may turn right on red after stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: A. You may not turn while the light is red; wait for green

    In most places you may turn right on red after a full stop. This sign takes that choice away, so wait for a green light.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Your car goes into deep water and starts to sink. What should you do?

    • AStay buckled and wait for help
    • BUnbuckle and escape through a window
    • COpen a door right away
    • DTurn the engine off and on again
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Unbuckle and escape through a window

    Get out through a window. Opening a door can let water rush in and roll the car over.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does implied consent mean?

    • APolice may search your home at any time
    • BYou may refuse a chemical test with no penalty
    • CBy driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police
    • DYour passengers must also be tested
    Show answer

    Answer: C. By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police

    Under implied consent laws, getting a license and driving means you agree to be tested when an officer lawfully asks.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AHeavy vehicles must keep right
    • BThe lane is closed
    • COnly vehicles with two or more people may use this lane
    • DTrucks only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only vehicles with two or more people may use this lane

    HOV means high-occupancy vehicle. 2+ means at least two people, counting the driver.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Two cars meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which car has the right-of-way?

    • AThe car that is larger
    • BThe car with more passengers
    • CThe car facing uphill
    • DThe car facing downhill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The car facing uphill

    The vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the other car can pass.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATurn right at the next road
    • BThe divided highway ends
    • CKeep to the right of the island or obstacle ahead
    • DThe right lane ends
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep to the right of the island or obstacle ahead

    Pass on the right side of the traffic island, median or obstacle shown on the sign.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AAlways come to a full stop
    • BThe road narrows ahead
    • CMerge without slowing down
    • DSlow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed

    A triangle pointing down means yield. Slow down, give the right-of-way, and stop only if you must.

22. Question 22 of 25

    In freezing weather, which part of the road often ices over first?

    • ALong straight roads in the sun
    • BRoads in the middle of town
    • CBridges and overpasses
    • DUphill sections facing the sun
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Bridges and overpasses

    Cold air flows above and below bridges and overpasses, so they freeze before other parts of the road.

23. Question 23 of 25

    When should you leave more than your normal following distance?

    • AOnly when the road is dry and clear
    • BIn bad weather or when following a large truck
    • COnly on city streets
    • DWhen you are in a hurry
    Show answer

    Answer: B. In bad weather or when following a large truck

    Add more space in rain, snow or fog, and behind large trucks that block your view.

24. Question 24 of 25

    At night, a car is coming toward you, as shown. When should you switch from high beams to low beams?

    • AOnly if the other driver flashes the lights
    • BWhen it is within 50 feet
    • CWhen it is within 500 feet
    • DWhen it is within 2 miles
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When it is within 500 feet

    State laws generally require low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, so you do not blind the other driver.

25. Question 25 of 25

    You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AToward the curb
    • BAway from the curb
    • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
    • DStraight ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Toward the curb

    When parking downhill, turn your wheels into the curb so the car rolls into it, not into the street.

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