South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 7

1. Question 1 of 25

   A driver is tailgating you. What is the safest thing to do?

   • ABrake suddenly to warn the driver
   • BStop on the shoulder right away
   • CKeep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass
   • DSpeed up to get away
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Keep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass

   Do not react with sudden braking. Keep extra space in front of you so you can stop gently, and let the tailgater pass when possible.

2. Question 2 of 25

   In a state where marijuana is legal, may you drive after using it?

   • AYes, if you have a medical card
   • BYes, but only during the day
   • CNo, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal
   • DYes, as long as you feel fine
   Show answer

   Answer: C. No, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal

   Impairment from marijuana is treated like impairment from any other drug. Do not use it before driving.

3. Question 3 of 25

   When is the road often most slippery in the rain?

   • AIn the first minutes after rain starts
   • BJust after the rain stops and the sun comes out
   • CAfter it has rained for many hours
   • DOnly at night
   Show answer

   Answer: A. In the first minutes after rain starts

   When rain begins, it mixes with oil and dirt on the road and makes a slick film. Slow down right away.

4. Question 4 of 25

   At this four-way stop, the numbers show the order in which the cars stopped. Which car may go first?

   • ACar 2
   • BCar 3
   • CCar 1
   • DCar 4
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Car 1

   At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to come to a full stop is the first to go.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe
   • BYou must pass slow vehicles
   • CYou may pass only on the right
   • DPassing is not allowed
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The no-passing area has ended; you may pass when it is safe

   This sign marks the end of a no-passing area. Pass only when the road ahead is clear and it is safe.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Which drinks contain about the same amount of alcohol?

   • A1.5 ounces of liquor and 12 ounces of wine
   • B12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor
   • C5 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of liquor
   • D12 ounces of beer and 12 ounces of wine
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine and 1.5 ounces of liquor

   A regular beer, a glass of wine and a shot of liquor each have about the same amount of alcohol. A drink is a drink.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop
   • BNo passing
   • CA railroad crossing is ahead
   • DMerge into the next lane now
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A YIELD sign is ahead; be ready to slow down or stop

   Slow down so you can yield to traffic at the YIELD sign ahead.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

   • ASpeed up before the light turns red
   • BSlow down and go through with caution
   • CStop and wait for a green light
   • DThe signal is broken, so treat it as an all-way stop
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Slow down and go through with caution

   A flashing yellow light is a warning. You may go, but slow down and watch for traffic and pedestrians.

9. Question 9 of 25

   At a stop sign with a white stop line painted across your lane, where should you stop?

   • ABefore the stop line
   • BInside the crosswalk
   • CWith your front wheels past the line
   • DPast the line, at the edge of the cross street
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Before the stop line

   A stop line shows where you must stop. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Another car is passing you on a two-lane road. What should you do?

    • AStay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed
    • BMove toward the center line
    • CSpeed up so the other car cannot pass
    • DBrake hard
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stay centered in your lane and slow down slightly if needed

    When someone passes you, keep to your lane and ease off slightly so they can get back in safely. Never speed up.

11. Question 11 of 25

    An ambulance (1) with flashing lights and a siren is coming. What should drivers like Car 2 and Car 3 do?

    • APull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
    • BStop right where they are in their lanes
    • CSpeed up to stay ahead of it
    • DMove toward the center line
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes

    Drivers going either way on a two-way road must pull to the right edge and stop for an emergency vehicle using lights and a siren.

12. Question 12 of 25

    The headlights of an oncoming car are blinding you. Where should you look?

    • AStraight into the headlights
    • BDown at your dashboard
    • CAt the center line
    • DToward the right edge of your lane
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the right edge of your lane

    Look toward the right edge of the road until the car passes. Do not stare into the lights.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Zones 1 and 2 are this car's blind spots. Before you change lanes, how should you check them?

    • AHonk and move over slowly
    • BTurn your head and look over your shoulder
    • CUse only the inside rearview mirror
    • DUse only the side mirrors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Turn your head and look over your shoulder

    Mirrors do not show every area beside you. Look over your shoulder to check the blind spot before you move.

14. Question 14 of 25

    What does a steady yellow light mean?

    • ASpeed up to get through before it turns red
    • BThe light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely
    • COnly pedestrians may move now
    • DThe intersection is clear, so go
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely

    A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Must you yield to a pedestrian crossing at an intersection that has no painted crosswalk lines?

    • AOnly if a crossing guard is there
    • BOnly in school zones
    • CYes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way
    • DNo, only painted crosswalks count
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yes, most intersections have unmarked crosswalks where pedestrians have the right-of-way

    Pedestrians have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

16. Question 16 of 25

    Orange signs like this one are used for:

    • AParks and recreation areas
    • BSchool zones
    • CWork zones and other temporary traffic control
    • DMotorist services
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Work zones and other temporary traffic control

    Orange is the color for work zones. Expect lane changes, lower speeds and workers on or near the road.

17. Question 17 of 25

    The speed limit is 55 mph, but there is thick fog and the road is slippery. How fast should you drive?

    • AExactly 10 mph under the limit
    • BAs fast as the cars around you
    • CSlower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions
    • D55 mph, because that is the limit
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slower than 55 mph, at a speed that is safe for the conditions

    The posted limit is the top speed for good conditions. You can be ticketed for driving too fast for conditions even below the limit.

18. Question 18 of 25

    When is it right to use your high-beam headlights?

    • AOn dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you
    • BIn fog
    • CIn busy city traffic
    • DWhen following another car closely
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you

    High beams help you see farther on dark roads, but dim them for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does a white diamond painted in a lane mean?

    • AThe lane is for trucks only
    • BThe lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles
    • CThere is a railroad crossing ahead
    • DThe lane ends soon
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The lane is reserved for buses, carpools or other special vehicles

    A diamond marks a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or other reserved lane. Signs tell you who may use it and when.

20. Question 20 of 25

    In which direction does traffic travel in a US roundabout?

    • AToward the center island
    • BCounterclockwise
    • CClockwise
    • DEither direction
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Counterclockwise

    In the United States, traffic in a roundabout moves counterclockwise, to the right of the center island.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA toll road
    • BA US highway route
    • CA route on the Interstate highway system
    • DA state park road
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A route on the Interstate highway system

    The red, white and blue shield marks an Interstate highway route.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA four-way intersection
    • BA railroad crossing; yield to any train
    • CYou must always stop here, even when no train is near
    • DA hospital is nearby
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A railroad crossing; yield to any train

    Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen both ways, and stop if a train is coming. Trains always have the right-of-way.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AYou may pass if you are careful
    • BYou must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road
    • CSlower traffic must keep right
    • DPass only on the right
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You must not pass other vehicles on this part of the road

    Do not pass until a sign or the road markings show that the no-passing area has ended.

24. Question 24 of 25

    A car in the lane next to you has stopped at a crosswalk. What should you do?

    • AHonk and pass
    • BChange lanes and speed up
    • CStop as well, because a pedestrian may be crossing
    • DPass it carefully
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop as well, because a pedestrian may be crossing

    Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian you cannot see may be crossing in front of it.

25. Question 25 of 25

    When may you pass another vehicle on the right?

    • AWhen the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely
    • BWhen you can use the shoulder
    • CWhenever the vehicle ahead is slow
    • DOnly on a two-lane road
    Show answer

    Answer: A. When the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room to pass safely

    You may pass on the right only when it is safe, such as when the car ahead is turning left or on a road with two or more lanes your way. Never use the shoulder.

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