South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 6

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which numbered marking separates lanes going in the same direction and allows lane changes when it is safe?

   • AMarking 5
   • BMarking 6
   • CMarking 2
   • DMarking 1
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Marking 5

   A broken white line (marking 5) separates lanes moving the same way. You may change lanes across it when safe.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You have parked on the street. What should you do before opening your door on the traffic side?

   • ATurn on your headlights
   • BHonk your horn
   • CCheck behind you for bicyclists and cars
   • DOpen the door quickly to get out fast
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Check behind you for bicyclists and cars

   Opening a door into the path of a bicyclist can cause a serious crash. Look back before you open it.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AMany curves are ahead
   • BA sharp turn to the right is ahead
   • CTwo-way traffic is ahead
   • DThe road curves right, then left
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   Answer: D. The road curves right, then left

   A reverse curve bends one way and then the other. Slow down before the first curve.

4. Question 4 of 25

   A train has just passed a crossing with more than one track. What should you do before you go?

   • ADrive around the gates as they start to rise
   • BGo as soon as the last train car passes
   • CMake sure no other train is coming on another track
   • DFollow the car ahead closely across the tracks
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   Answer: C. Make sure no other train is coming on another track

   A second train can be hidden by the first one. Wait until the lights stop and you can see that all tracks are clear.

5. Question 5 of 25

   Which headlights should you use in fog?

   • ALow beams
   • BHigh beams
   • CNo lights, to reduce glare
   • DParking lights only
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Low beams

   High beams reflect off fog and cause glare. Low beams help you see and help others see you.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which of these places is unsafe for passing on a two-lane road?

   • AA flat, open road in daylight with a clear view
   • BA straight road with a broken yellow line and no oncoming traffic
   • CA marked passing zone with good visibility
   • DNear the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead
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   Answer: D. Near the top of a hill or on a curve where you cannot see ahead

   Do not pass near hills or curves where you cannot see oncoming traffic, or near intersections and railroad crossings.

7. Question 7 of 25

   A common cause of serious motorcycle crashes is a driver who:

   • ATurns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
   • BParks next to a motorcycle
   • CFollows a motorcycle at a safe distance
   • DPasses a motorcycle on a straight road
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle

   Drivers turning left often fail to see oncoming motorcycles. Look carefully for motorcycles before you turn.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Your car breaks down on a highway. What should you do first?

   • ATurn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can
   • BKeep the lights off to save the battery
   • CWalk along the highway for help
   • DStop in your lane and get out
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Turn on your hazard lights and pull as far off the road as you can

   Use your hazard flashers and get your car off the road if possible. Avoid stopping just over a hill or around a curve.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What do green signs like this one show?

   • ARules you must obey
   • BPlaces to get gas and food
   • CDirections and distances to places
   • DRoad work ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Directions and distances to places

   Green guide signs show routes, directions and distances in miles.

10. Question 10 of 25

    A truck signaling a right turn swings left first. What should you do?

    • APass it on the right
    • BPull up beside the cab
    • CHonk and pass it quickly
    • DStay back and do not try to squeeze between the truck and the curb
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Stay back and do not try to squeeze between the truck and the curb

    Trucks swing wide to make right turns. Never try to get between a turning truck and the curb.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe bridge ahead is narrower than the road
    • BThe bridge ahead is closed
    • CA drawbridge is ahead
    • DThe road ends at a river
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    Answer: A. The bridge ahead is narrower than the road

    There is less room on the bridge. Slow down, keep right and watch for oncoming traffic.

12. Question 12 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AAn Interstate highway
    • BA US highway (US route) number
    • CA county road
    • DAn exit number
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A US highway (US route) number

    The black and white shield marks a numbered US route. These routes often cross several states.

13. Question 13 of 25

    The gates at a railroad crossing are coming down. What should you do?

    • ASpeed up and go under the gates
    • BStop on the tracks until the gates rise
    • CStop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing
    • DDrive around the gates if you cannot see a train
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop and wait until the gates are up and the lights stop flashing

    Never drive around or under lowered or lowering gates. Wait until they are fully up.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

    • AThe light is about to turn green
    • BStop only if other cars are coming
    • CStop completely, then go when it is safe
    • DSlow down and go with care without stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop completely, then go when it is safe

    A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when the way is clear.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Signs with this fluorescent yellow-green color are used for:

    • ASchools, pedestrians and bicycles
    • BGas, food and lodging
    • CRoad work zones
    • DRailroad crossings
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Schools, pedestrians and bicycles

    Fluorescent yellow-green is used for school, pedestrian and bicycle signs because it is easy to see.

16. Question 16 of 25

    What color are the signs that warn of road work ahead?

    • ABlue
    • BBrown
    • CGreen
    • DOrange
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Orange

    Orange signs are used for work zones and other temporary traffic control. Slow down and watch for workers.

17. Question 17 of 25

    Your gas pedal sticks while you are driving. What should you do?

    • AReach down with your hand while driving fast
    • BPump the gas pedal hard
    • CShift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road when it is safe
    • DTurn the key off right away
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Shift to neutral, brake, and pull off the road when it is safe

    Shifting to neutral cuts power to the wheels. Turning off the ignition could lock the steering.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does keeping a space cushion around your car, as shown, give you?

    • AThe right-of-way over other drivers
    • BA shorter braking distance
    • CTime and room to react if something goes wrong
    • DBetter fuel economy
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Time and room to react if something goes wrong

    Space around your vehicle gives you time to see problems and room to steer or stop.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ATurn right only on a green light
    • BDo not turn right; go straight or turn left if allowed
    • CYield to vehicles turning right
    • DTurn right after a full stop
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Do not turn right; go straight or turn left if allowed

    The black arrow shows the move and the red circle and slash forbid it. You may not turn right at this intersection.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What should you do when you see this sign?

    • ASpeed up to cross the intersection
    • BKeep going straight
    • CGet ready to stop or turn; your road ends and you must turn left or right
    • DMake a U-turn
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Get ready to stop or turn; your road ends and you must turn left or right

    The T shape shows that your road ends at a cross street. Slow down and be ready to yield or stop before you turn.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol concentration?

    • ATime
    • BExercise
    • CA cold shower
    • DBlack coffee
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Time

    Your body removes alcohol slowly. Coffee, exercise and cold showers do not lower your BAC.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AHospital staff parking
    • BA wheelchair crossing is ahead
    • CLoading zone
    • DParking only for vehicles with a valid disability placard or license plate
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Parking only for vehicles with a valid disability placard or license plate

    Do not park in these spaces unless your vehicle displays a valid disability placard or plate. You can be fined.

23. Question 23 of 25

    The school bus ahead of you turns on flashing yellow (amber) lights. What does this mean?

    • AThe bus is getting ready to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop
    • BThe bus has broken down
    • CYou should pass the bus quickly
    • DThe children have finished crossing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The bus is getting ready to stop, so slow down and prepare to stop

    Flashing yellow lights on a school bus warn that it will soon stop and turn on its red lights.

24. Question 24 of 25

    You see this sign facing you on a ramp. What should you do?

    • AKeep driving in the left lane with your hazard lights on
    • BYou are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came
    • CSpeed up to get off the ramp quickly
    • DKeep going and take the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are going the wrong way: pull over safely, turn around and leave the way you came

    WRONG WAY signs face drivers who are going against traffic. Stop safely, turn around and drive in the correct direction.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does the red circle with a slash on this sign mean?

    • AThe action shown inside it is not allowed
    • BThe rule applies only at night
    • CThere is danger ahead
    • DThe action shown is allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The action shown inside it is not allowed

    On US regulatory signs, red is used for STOP, YIELD and the circle and slash that ban an action.

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