How long do I have to hold my instruction permit in South Dakota?

275 days, or 180 days if you complete an approved driver education class.

What is a restricted minor's permit?

The next step after the instruction permit. You may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with passenger limits for the first six months.

How many supervised hours does South Dakota require?

50 hours with a parent or guardian, including 10 at night and 10 in bad weather, recorded in a driving log.

When can I get a full operator license in South Dakota?

At 16, after six months on a restricted minor's permit with no convictions and written approval from a parent or guardian.

South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026

Q: How old do you have to be to get a permit in South Dakota?

14. You must pass a knowledge test or complete a state-approved driver education course.

Pregunta 1 de 25

What is the minimum age for a South Dakota instruction permit?

16
15
14
13

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. 14

South Dakota issues an instruction permit at 14.

Pregunta 2 de 25

Who must come with a South Dakota teen applying for an instruction permit?

A police officer
A parent or guardian
A school teacher
No one

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. A parent or guardian

Teens visit a licensing location with a guardian and bring the required documents.

Pregunta 3 de 25

How can a South Dakota teen meet the testing requirement for an instruction permit?

Pass a knowledge test or complete a state-approved driver education course
Only by passing a road test
By getting a note from a parent
Only by finishing 50 hours of driving

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. Pass a knowledge test or complete a state-approved driver education course

Teens must pass a knowledge test or complete a state-approved driver education course.

Pregunta 4 de 25

How long does a South Dakota driver education certificate waive testing?

Two years from the permit date
Until the student's 18th birthday
One year from the class completion date
Six months from the class start date

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. One year from the class completion date

A driver education certificate can waive testing for one year from the date the class was completed.

Pregunta 5 de 25

Without driver education, how long must a South Dakota teen hold an instruction permit before upgrading?

275 days
365 days
90 days
180 days

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 275 days

The holding period is 275 days without driver education, or 180 days with an approved course.

Pregunta 6 de 25

With a completed approved driver education class, how long must a South Dakota teen hold an instruction permit?

180 days
275 days
One year
30 days

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 180 days

Completing approved driver education cuts the permit holding period to 180 days.

Pregunta 7 de 25

When may a South Dakota instruction permit holder drive?

Only with a licensed adult supervising at all times
Alone on school days
Alone within 10 miles of home
Alone during daylight

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. Only with a licensed adult supervising at all times

Instruction permit holders must drive only under a licensed adult's supervision at all times.

Pregunta 8 de 25

How much parent-supervised driving must a South Dakota teen complete before the restricted minor's permit?

50 hours, including 10 at night and 10 in bad weather
30 hours, including 5 at night
40 hours, with no night hours
100 hours, including 20 at night

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 50 hours, including 10 at night and 10 in bad weather

Teens need 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather.

Pregunta 9 de 25

How does a South Dakota parent certify a teen's 50 supervised hours?

By calling the governor's office
By signing the Supervised Driving Statement or affidavit
No proof is needed
By sending fuel receipts

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. By signing the Supervised Driving Statement or affidavit

Hours go in the student driving log, and the parent signs the Supervised Driving Statement or the affidavit.

Pregunta 10 de 25

What must a South Dakota teen's record show to get a restricted minor's permit?

No traffic convictions in the last six months
At least one year of driving
Perfect school attendance
No parking tickets ever

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. No traffic convictions in the last six months

To get a restricted minor's permit, you must have no traffic convictions in the past six months.

Pregunta 11 de 25

During which hours may a South Dakota restricted minor's permit holder drive alone?

Any time
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
5 a.m. to midnight

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Restricted permit holders may drive unaccompanied from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Pregunta 12 de 25

A South Dakota restricted minor's permit holder wants to drive at 11 p.m. Who must be with them?

A legal guardian
Any licensed driver
Any friend over 16
No one

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. A legal guardian

From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., a restricted permit holder may drive only with a legal guardian.

Pregunta 13 de 25

During the first six months of a South Dakota restricted minor's permit, how many passengers from outside the immediate family or household may you carry?

None
Two
One
Three

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. None

For the first six months, no passengers from outside the immediate family or household are allowed.

Pregunta 14 de 25

After six months on a South Dakota restricted minor's permit, how many passengers from outside the immediate family or household may you carry?

Two
One
Four
None

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. One

After six months, one passenger from outside the immediate family or household is allowed.

Pregunta 15 de 25

How long must a South Dakota teen under 18 hold a restricted minor's permit before upgrading to an operator license?

Two years
One year
Three months
Six months

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Six months

Teens under 18 must hold the restricted permit for six months before upgrading.

Pregunta 16 de 25

What is the minimum age for a South Dakota operator license?

17
16
18
15

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. 16

You must be at least 16 to get an operator license.

Pregunta 17 de 25

Which of these is required for a South Dakota operator license?

A college acceptance letter
A commercial driver course
Six months conviction-free and written approval from a parent or guardian
A second knowledge test

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Six months conviction-free and written approval from a parent or guardian

You need six months on a restricted permit, six months with no convictions and written approval from a parent or guardian.

Pregunta 18 de 25

How can a South Dakota teen meet the road test requirement for a restricted minor's permit?

Drive around the block once with a parent watching
Pass the knowledge test a second time at any office
Pass a drive test at an exam station or complete a state-approved driver education course
Nothing; the upgrade happens automatically after 275 days

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Pass a drive test at an exam station or complete a state-approved driver education course

Teens pass a scheduled drive test, using a street-legal licensed vehicle, or complete state-approved driver education.

Pregunta 19 de 25

A South Dakota permit holder under 16 has a first permit-condition violation. What is the usual suspension?

30 days
No suspension
One year
180 days

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 30 days

A first permit-condition violation or first Class 2 misdemeanor traffic conviction brings a 30-day suspension, unless the law requires more.

Pregunta 20 de 25

A South Dakota permit holder under 16 has a second permit-condition violation. What is the suspension?

30 days, the same as for a first violation
90 days or until the 15th birthday, whichever is shorter
One year or until the 18th birthday, whichever is longer
180 days or until the 16th birthday, whichever is longer

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 180 days or until the 16th birthday, whichever is longer

A second violation, any felony or any Class 1 misdemeanor traffic conviction brings 180 days or until age 16, whichever is longer.

Pregunta 21 de 25

Can a South Dakota parent cancel their teen's permit or license?

Only after a crash
No, only a judge can
Only if the teen agrees
Yes, with a written request

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Yes, with a written request

A parent or guardian may cancel a permit or license by written request.

Pregunta 22 de 25

What is South Dakota's phone rule for drivers with an instruction or restricted permit?

They may use hands-free devices
They may not use a cell phone while driving
There is no rule for them
They may text at stop signs

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. They may not use a cell phone while driving

South Dakota bans all cell phone use while driving for drivers with a learner or intermediate permit.

Pregunta 23 de 25

Who is banned from texting while driving in South Dakota?

Only drivers under 18
No one
All drivers
Only commercial drivers

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. All drivers

South Dakota bans texting while driving for all drivers.

Pregunta 24 de 25

What must a South Dakota teen bring for a scheduled drive test?

A motorcycle
Nothing; the state provides a car
A street-legal, licensed vehicle
A rental car from the state

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. A street-legal, licensed vehicle

Drive tests must be scheduled, and the teen must provide a street-legal, licensed vehicle.

Pregunta 25 de 25

A South Dakota instruction permit holder wants to practice at 11 p.m. Who may supervise?

A parent or guardian
Any licensed adult
No one; permit holders may drive alone at night
Any passenger over 16

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. A parent or guardian

Permit holders may not drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless supervised by a parent or guardian.

South Dakota DPS Permit Practice Test 2026

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