South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026: Practice test 8

1. Question 1 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA highway patrol station is ahead
   • BA helicopter landing pad is ahead
   • CA hospital is nearby
   • DA hotel is nearby
   Show answer

   Answer: C. A hospital is nearby

   Blue signs show services for drivers, such as hospitals, gas, food and lodging.

2. Question 2 of 25

   An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

   • AKeep your speed and lane
   • BStop behind the police car
   • CSpeed up to get past quickly
   • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

   Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Total stopping distance, as shown, is made up of which two parts?

   • AThe distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance
   • BThe braking distance, counted twice
   • CThe reaction distance plus the length of your car
   • DThe distance to the car ahead plus the braking distance
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The distance you travel while reacting, plus the braking distance

   Part 1 is how far you travel while you see the danger and move your foot to the brake. Part 2 is how far you travel after braking until you stop.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Why should you never try to beat a train to a crossing?

   • AA train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more
   • BTrains must yield to cars at crossings
   • CTrain engineers can steer around cars
   • DTrains always slow down at crossings
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more

   Trains are very heavy and need a long distance to stop. A train at 60 mph may take a mile or more.

5. Question 5 of 25

   You stopped for a school bus with flashing red lights. When may you drive on?

   • AAfter waiting about 30 seconds
   • BWhen the bus driver honks
   • CAs soon as you see the children on the sidewalk
   • DOnly after the red lights stop flashing
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Only after the red lights stop flashing

   Stay stopped for as long as the red lights are flashing. Then watch for children before you move.

6. Question 6 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AStop here
   • BThe road ends ahead
   • CA traffic signal is ahead
   • DA STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A STOP sign is ahead; be ready to stop

   This sign warns of a STOP sign that may be hard to see. Slow down and get ready to stop.

7. Question 7 of 25

   How far should you sit from the air bag in the steering wheel?

   • AAt least 3 feet
   • BAs close as you can
   • CAt least 10 inches
   • DAt least 2 inches
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At least 10 inches

   Sit at least 10 inches from the air bag cover, as long as you can still control the vehicle safely.

8. Question 8 of 25

   Where should you stop at this sign if there is a crosswalk but no stop line?

   • AAfter the crosswalk, at the edge of the cross street
   • BInside the intersection, where you can see best
   • CBefore the crosswalk
   • DIn the middle of the crosswalk
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Before the crosswalk

   Stop at the stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection.

9. Question 9 of 25

   You reach this sign. You cannot see a train, but you hear a train horn. What should you do?

   • ADrive onto the tracks to get a better look
   • BStop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed
   • CHonk your horn and keep going
   • DCross quickly before the train arrives
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Stop before the tracks and wait until the train has passed

   Never try to beat a train. Trains cannot stop quickly. Stop before the tracks and cross only when you are sure it is safe.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks cross the road ahead
    • BAn uphill passing lane is ahead
    • CA steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear
    • DA truck stop is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear

    On a steep downgrade, slow down before the hill and shift to a lower gear so your brakes do not overheat.

11. Question 11 of 25

    A school bus has stopped on this two-lane road with its red lights flashing and its stop arm out. Which cars must stop?

    • ABoth Car 1 and Car 2
    • BOnly Car 2, facing the bus
    • CNeither car, if no child is in the road
    • DOnly Car 1, behind the bus
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Both Car 1 and Car 2

    On a two-lane road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Car A is waiting to enter this roundabout. Car B is already in the roundabout. Which car has the right-of-way?

    • AWhichever car is larger
    • BWhichever car honks first
    • CCar B
    • DCar A
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Car B

    Yield to all traffic already in the roundabout, then enter when there is a safe gap.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Besides police cars, which stopped vehicle with flashing lights should you also slow down and move over for?

    • AA tow truck helping a driver on the shoulder
    • BA car parked in a driveway
    • CA delivery van parked at the curb
    • DA bus at a bus stop with no lights flashing
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A tow truck helping a driver on the shoulder

    In many states, Move Over rules also cover tow trucks and highway work vehicles with flashing lights. Giving them space protects the people working beside the road.

14. Question 14 of 25

    When is it right to use your horn?

    • ATo warn others of danger or to help avoid a crash
    • BTo greet friends as you drive by
    • CTo show you are angry
    • DTo tell a slow driver to hurry up
    Show answer

    Answer: A. To warn others of danger or to help avoid a crash

    Use your horn to let others know you are there or to warn them of a hazard, not to express anger.

15. Question 15 of 25

    You feel sleepy while driving. What is the safest choice?

    • AOpen the window and turn up the radio
    • BChew gum and keep driving
    • CDrive faster to get home sooner
    • DPull over in a safe place and rest or take a short nap
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pull over in a safe place and rest or take a short nap

    Tricks like a cold window or loud music do not work. Stop and rest; only sleep cures drowsiness.

16. Question 16 of 25

    You are involved in a minor crash. What must you do?

    • AWait in your car until the other driver leaves
    • BStop at the scene
    • CDrive home and call your insurance company
    • DLeave if the damage looks small
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stop at the scene

    If you are in a crash, you must stop, no matter how small the damage is.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What does it mean to overdrive your headlights?

    • ADriving with only parking lights on
    • BDriving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show
    • CUsing high beams near other cars
    • DDriving with one headlight out
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show

    At night, drive at a speed that lets you stop within the area your headlights light up.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks must use this route
    • BOne-way street to the right
    • CThe road ahead turns right
    • DFollow this route because the usual road is closed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Follow this route because the usual road is closed

    A detour takes you around a closed road. Follow the detour signs until you are back on your route.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Why should you avoid making a U-turn near the top of a hill or on a curve?

    • AIt wears out your tires
    • BYour turn signal will not work
    • CIt uses too much fuel
    • DOther drivers may not see you in time to stop
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Other drivers may not see you in time to stop

    U-turns are unsafe where other drivers cannot see your vehicle from far away, such as near hilltops and curves.

20. Question 20 of 25

    A flagger in a work zone holds up a STOP paddle. What must you do?

    • AStop and wait until the flagger signals you to go
    • BStop only if workers are in your lane
    • CHonk and keep going
    • DSlow down and drive around the flagger
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and wait until the flagger signals you to go

    Work zone flaggers are allowed to direct traffic. Their signals must be obeyed like a traffic officer's.

21. Question 21 of 25

    How can you check that you are not following another vehicle too closely?

    • AWatch for the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
    • BLook at your speedometer
    • CCount how many car lengths you see
    • DWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it

    Pick a fixed object such as a sign. Start counting when the car ahead passes it; if you reach it before you finish the count, you are too close.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

    • AYou are a safe distance away
    • BThe truck is about to stop
    • CThe truck driver probably cannot see you
    • DThe truck driver can see you clearly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The truck driver probably cannot see you

    If you can't see the driver in the truck's side mirror, assume the driver can't see you.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA hospital zone begins
    • BA school is near; slow down and watch for children
    • CA playground is ahead
    • DAn adults-only crosswalk is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A school is near; slow down and watch for children

    The five-sided school sign warns that you are near a school. Slow down, watch for children and obey any school speed limit.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Your car has anti-lock brakes (ABS). How should you brake in an emergency?

    • APull the parking brake
    • BPress the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing
    • CTap the brake lightly
    • DPump the brake pedal quickly
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Press the brake pedal firmly and keep pressing

    With ABS, press hard and hold steady pressure. The system pumps the brakes for you and lets you steer.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AKeep left
    • BLeft turns only
    • CSharp curve to the left
    • DYou may not turn left here
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You may not turn left here

    The arrow shows a left turn and the red circle and slash ban it. Go straight or turn right if allowed.

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