South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which of these makes your stopping distance longer?

   • AA wet or icy road
   • BDriving more slowly
   • CTires with deep tread
   • DPaying full attention
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A wet or icy road

   Wet, snowy and icy roads give your tires less grip, so it takes longer to stop. Slow down and leave more space.

2. Question 2 of 25

   A driver holds the left arm straight out the window. What does this hand signal mean?

   • ARight turn
   • BLeft turn
   • CSlowing down or stopping
   • DYou may pass me
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Left turn

   The left arm held straight out means a left turn.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Car 1 is behind a school bus on this divided highway. The bus has stopped with its red lights flashing. What must the driver of Car 1 do?

   • AStop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off
   • BPass slowly on the right
   • CHonk and keep going
   • DPass slowly on the left
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stop and stay stopped until the red lights turn off

   Drivers behind a stopped school bus must always stop. Rules for drivers on the other side of a divided highway differ by state.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Why should you never drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane?

   • AMotorcycles must ride on the shoulder
   • BA motorcyclist has the right to use the full width of the lane
   • CMotorcycles are always slower than cars
   • DIt is fine if the rider waves you by
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A motorcyclist has the right to use the full width of the lane

   A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane, just like a car. Sharing its lane is dangerous and not allowed.

5. Question 5 of 25

   On a divided highway, what color is the edge line on the left side of your lanes?

   • ARed
   • BWhite
   • CYellow
   • DBlue
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yellow

   Yellow marks the left edge of divided highways, one-way streets and ramps. White marks the right edge.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AU-turns are allowed ahead
   • BTurn around ahead
   • CA roundabout is ahead; slow down and drive counterclockwise
   • DDo not enter
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A roundabout is ahead; slow down and drive counterclockwise

   At a roundabout, yield to traffic already in the circle and travel counterclockwise, to the right of the center island.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How should you exit a freeway?

   • AStop on the shoulder, then take the exit
   • BSlow down in the main lane, then change lanes
   • CMove into the exit lane early, then slow down in the exit lane
   • DCross the painted area at the last moment
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Move into the exit lane early, then slow down in the exit lane

   Get into the correct lane well before the exit, signal, and do most of your slowing after you enter the exit lane or ramp.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA school crossing guard is ahead
   • BA flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals
   • CA pedestrian crossing is ahead
   • DA parade is ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A flagger is ahead; slow down and follow the flagger's signals

   A flagger controls traffic in a work zone with a STOP/SLOW paddle or a flag. Obey the flagger's directions.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What should you do when you see this sign?

   • ASlow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk
   • BTurn off your headlights so deer are not blinded
   • CHonk your horn the whole time
   • DSwerve sharply if you see a deer
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Slow down and watch for deer, especially at dawn and dusk

   Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. If one appears, brake firmly and stay in your lane rather than swerving.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe signal ahead is broken
    • BThere is a pedestrian signal only
    • CThere is a traffic signal ahead
    • DA railroad signal is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. There is a traffic signal ahead

    Slow down and be ready to stop for a red light. This sign is used where the signal is hard to see.

11. Question 11 of 25

    How should you pass a bicyclist riding in the same direction?

    • AFollow closely until the rider moves aside
    • BHonk and pass close by
    • CPass on the right
    • DSlow down and pass on the left with plenty of space
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and pass on the left with plenty of space

    Pass a bicyclist on the left at a safe distance and reduce your speed as you pass.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Your car starts to skid on a slippery road. What should you do?

    • ASteer hard the opposite way
    • BSpeed up
    • CSlam on the brakes
    • DEase off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Ease off the gas and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

    Take your foot off the gas, do not brake hard, and steer smoothly where you want to go.

13. Question 13 of 25

    A front tire blows out while you are driving on the highway. What should you do?

    • AHold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas
    • BBrake hard right away
    • CSpeed up to keep control
    • DSteer sharply onto the shoulder
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Hold the wheel tightly and slowly ease off the gas

    Grip the wheel firmly, keep the car straight, and let it slow down before you brake gently and pull off.

14. Question 14 of 25

    You are stopped at a red light and want to turn right, as shown. There is no sign about turning. What may you do?

    • ATurn right after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic
    • BWait for the green light, because turns on red are never allowed
    • CTurn right without stopping if no one is coming
    • DTurn right into the farthest lane right away
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Turn right after a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic

    Unless a sign or local rule forbids it, you may turn right on red after a full stop, when pedestrians and traffic are clear.

15. Question 15 of 25

    At night you see red reflectors on the road facing you. What does this most likely mean?

    • AYou are entering a school zone
    • BYou are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp
    • CThe road ahead is wet
    • DYou are near a fire station
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp

    Red raised pavement markers face drivers who are going the wrong way on a one-way road or ramp. Turn around safely right away.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Which signs use this round shape?

    • AHospital signs
    • BRailroad crossing advance warning signs
    • CSpeed limit signs
    • DSchool zone signs
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Railroad crossing advance warning signs

    In the United States the circle shape is used for the railroad advance warning sign.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is hydroplaning?

    • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
    • BWhen water gets into your engine
    • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
    • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

    At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

18. Question 18 of 25

    You are entering a freeway from an on-ramp, as shown. What should you do in the acceleration lane?

    • AMerge right away without checking traffic
    • BDrive slowly so freeway drivers notice you
    • CSpeed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap
    • DStop at the end of the ramp and wait for a big gap
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Speed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap

    Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic, check mirrors and your blind spot, signal, and merge into a gap.

19. Question 19 of 25

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

    • ALeft turn
    • BRight turn
    • CSlowing down or stopping
    • DGo ahead and pass
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slowing down or stopping

    The left arm bent downward means the driver is slowing down or stopping.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASlow down before you reach the curve
    • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
    • CMove to the left lane
    • DSpeed up to get through the curve
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

    Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

21. Question 21 of 25

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

    • AToward the curb
    • BAway from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back
    • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
    • DStraight ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Away from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back

    Uphill with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road and let the front tire gently touch the curb.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AStop only if other vehicles are near
    • BCome to a full stop, then go when it is safe
    • CSlow down and go if no one is coming
    • DStop only when a police officer is present
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe

    A red octagon always means stop. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then go when it is safe.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does a five-sided (pentagon) sign like this warn you about?

    • AA no-passing zone
    • BA railroad crossing
    • CRoad work
    • DA school zone or school crossing
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A school zone or school crossing

    The pentagon shape is used for school signs, so you know to watch for children.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A police officer directing traffic waves you through a red light. What should you do?

    • AFollow the officer's directions
    • BTurn right instead
    • CHonk to check that the officer means you
    • DStay stopped until the light turns green
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Follow the officer's directions

    Directions from a police officer directing traffic override traffic lights, signs and pavement markings.

25. Question 25 of 25

    A pedestrian is crossing in the crosswalk ahead of you, as shown. What must you do?

    • AStop and wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed
    • BHonk so the pedestrian moves faster
    • CFlash your lights so the pedestrian stops
    • DDrive slowly around the pedestrian
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has safely crossed

    Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and wait until they can finish crossing safely.

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