South Dakota DMV Practice Test 3

4.9 out of 5 (180 votes)
80% Passing score
20 Questions
4 Mistakes allowed
South Dakota’s permit test is not just a quick check that you glanced at a few signs. It is the state’s noncommercial driver knowledge exam, and it pulls from the South Dakota Driver License Manual, which means the questions can move from ordinary right-of-way rules to traffic control devices, school buses, pavement markings, speed management, impaired driving, and the kind of safe-driving judgment that sounds obvious until it is asked in very official wording. The real South Dakota DMV written test has 25 questions, and you need 20 correct answers to pass. That is an 80% score, same general standard South Dakota uses for the driving test. This South Dakota DMV practice test gives you a cleaner way to get used to that material before you are at the exam station, appointment made, documents in hand, trying to remember whether you actually reviewed the school bus section or merely intended to review it. Small difference. Sometimes an important one. Use this SD DMV practice test to work through the rules in a way that feels closer to the actual permit test than simply rereading the manual and hoping the information sticks. The questions cover the practical stuff: signs and signals, right-of-way, safe following, sharing the road, wireless-device restrictions for permit holders, and the safety rules that matter on South Dakota roads, especially when weather turns ugly. And yes, winter driving deserves its own mental folder here. Icy pavement and open rural highways do not leave much room for vague knowledge. There are a few licensing details worth keeping in the back of your mind, too. South Dakota allows teens to apply for an Instruction Permit at 14 with parent or guardian consent, while adult applicants still need to pass the vision and knowledge tests before moving forward. First-time applicants apply in person, testing requires an appointment, and if you fail, you cannot retest before the next working day. Each paid fee gives you three testing opportunities within six months, which is generous enough, but not something you want to burn through casually. This South Dakota permit practice test is best treated as a serious rehearsal, not a throwaway quiz. Take your time, notice what you miss, and use those misses to tighten up your understanding before the real DMV knowledge test.
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Sample South Dakota Permit Test Questions

Question 1

On a two-way road, how should you respond when an emergency vehicle approaches using the required audible or visual signal?

  1. A Pull near and parallel to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop
  2. B Move into the right lane but continue driving slowly
  3. C Stop immediately, including within an intersection
  4. D Accelerate until you are ahead of the emergency vehicle

Correct answer: A – Pull near and parallel to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop

South Dakota requires other motorists to move as near as possible and parallel to the right edge or curb, clear of an intersection, and stop. Remain there until the emergency vehicle passes unless an officer directs otherwise. On a one-way road, move toward the nearest edge or curb instead.

Source: SDCL § 32-31-6 – Duty of other motorists upon approach of emergency vehicle--Violation as misdemeanor

Question 2

You are moving slower than other traffic in the left lane, and vehicles are lining up behind you. What should you do?

  1. A Move right when it is safe and allow traffic to pass
  2. B Wait until at least five vehicles are behind you
  3. C Remain in the lane whenever you are at the speed limit
  4. D Activate your emergency flashers and continue

Correct answer: A – Move right when it is safe and allow traffic to pass

Slow-moving vehicles should remain as far right as practicable unless passing or another condition makes that impracticable. The driver manual advises pulling over safely when vehicles are lined up behind you. Check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and move right only when the lane change can be completed safely.

Source: SDCL § 32-26-1 – Use of right half of highway required--Slow-moving vehicles--Overtaking and passing excepted--Violation as misdemeanor, South Dakota Driver License Manual — “Adjusting to Traffic and Interstate Driving”

Question 3

Which U-turn may be made legally when traffic conditions allow?

  1. A Across a divided highway's median outside a designated opening
  2. B Where a sign prohibits U-turns
  3. C Through a legal opening or crossover on a divided highway
  4. D Where a hill or curve blocks the driver's view

Correct answer: C – Through a legal opening or crossover on a divided highway

In South Dakota, a driver may cross a divided highway's barrier or dividing area only through an authorized opening, crossover, or intersection. A U-turn must also be safe, must not interfere with other traffic, and may not be made in a marked no-passing zone. Posted prohibitions must be obeyed.

Source: SDCL § 32-26-9 – Highways divided by physical barrier--Use of right-hand roadway--Crossing barrier prohibited--Violation as misdemeanor, SDCL § 32-26-25 – U-turn prohibited in no-passing zone or where unsafe--Violation as misdemeanor, South Dakota Driver License Manual — “U-Turns”

Question 4

On a two-lane road, a driver gives an audible signal and begins a lawful pass on your left. What must you do?

  1. A Increase speed to shorten the passing maneuver
  2. B Stop in your lane until the vehicle passes
  3. C Give way to the right and do not increase speed
  4. D Move left to prevent the vehicle from passing

Correct answer: C – Give way to the right and do not increase speed

South Dakota requires an overtaken driver to give way to the right after the passing driver provides a suitable audible signal, unless passing on the right is permitted. The overtaken driver may not increase speed until completely passed. This rule recognizes duties for both drivers during the maneuver.

Source: SDCL § 32-26-31 – Duty of driver of overtaken vehicle--Increasing speed prohibited--Violation as misdemeanor

Question 5

On a highway with at least two travel lanes in each direction, who is not required to stop for a school bus's flashing red lights?

  1. A A driver who sees no children near the bus
  2. B A driver traveling behind the bus
  3. C A driver approaching from the opposite direction
  4. D A driver who can pass the bus in the left lane

Correct answer: C – A driver approaching from the opposite direction

South Dakota law does not require an opposite-direction driver to stop on a highway providing two or more travel lanes in each direction. A driver approaching the bus from behind on that highway must stop. Where stopping is required, remain at least fifteen feet away until the red lights are extinguished; a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Source: SDCL § 32-32-6 – Amber or red signal--Motorist duty to slow or stop--Exception--Penalty

Question 6

Why should a vehicle's head restraints be adjusted correctly?

  1. A To make the seat more relaxing on long trips
  2. B To help prevent or reduce whiplash injuries
  3. C To keep the occupant's hairstyle in place
  4. D To support a tired driver's head

Correct answer: B – To help prevent or reduce whiplash injuries

Head restraints are designed to help prevent whiplash, particularly when a vehicle is struck from behind. Adjust the restraint so it contacts the back of the occupant's head and is not below ear level. Proper positioning helps limit harmful movement of the head and neck during an impact.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — “Adjusting the Seat”

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