Steerlet/South Dakota/Permit practice

South Dakota permit practice: 20 free questions

Choose an answer, then check the explanation and its handbook source. These are Steerlet practice questions, not the official test or its exact format.

Written from South Dakota Driver License Manual (REVISED 11/2024). Independently checked October 27, 2026.

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Question 1 of 20

A South Dakota learner under 18 has not completed an approved driver-education course. How long must the instruction permit be held before an upgrade?

A90 daysB180 daysC275 daysD365 days

Check answer and source

Correct answer: C. 275 days

Without the approved course, a minor must keep a valid instruction permit continuously for 275 days before upgrading.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Types of Driver’s Licenses and Driver’s Permits, PDF page 8. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 2 of 20

Which supervised-driving total must a minor complete while holding a South Dakota instruction permit?

A30 hours, including 5 after darkB40 hours, including 10 after darkC50 hours, including 10 in bad weather and 10 after darkD60 hours, all during daylight

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Correct answer: C. 50 hours, including 10 in bad weather and 10 after dark

The required total is 50 hours. Of those hours, spend 10 in inclement weather and 10 driving after dark.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Types of Driver’s Licenses and Driver’s Permits, PDF page 8. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 3 of 20

While driving with a South Dakota instruction permit, when may you use a wireless communication device?

AWhen using a hands-free connectionBOnly while an adult supervisesCOnly for a voice callDYou may not use one while operating the vehicle

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Correct answer: D. You may not use one while operating the vehicle

Instruction permit restrictions prohibit wireless communication devices while driving, including voice calls.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Types of Driver’s Licenses and Driver’s Permits, PDF page 8. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 4 of 20

You become tired during a long drive. What does the manual recommend doing at the next rest area or exit?

ATake a nap lasting 15 to 20 minutesBOpen a window and continue immediatelyCTurn up the radio and drive fasterDStretch briefly, then drive through the night

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Correct answer: A. Take a nap lasting 15 to 20 minutes

Stop driving when fatigue develops. A 15 to 20-minute nap or a place to sleep overnight is recommended.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Ways to Avoid Fatigue, PDF page 19. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 5 of 20

For a South Dakota driver younger than 21, what is the stated BAC threshold for the zero-tolerance offense?

A0.08%B0.05%C0.02%D0.10%

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Correct answer: C. 0.02%

For drivers younger than 21, South Dakota’s zero-tolerance offense starts at 0.02% BAC.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Alcohol and the Law, PDF page 20. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 6 of 20

Under South Dakota’s implied-consent rule, how long can you lose your license for refusing a BAC test?

A30 daysB90 daysCSix monthsDOne year

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Correct answer: D. One year

Refusing a BAC test can cost you your license for one year.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Alcohol and the Law, PDF page 20. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 7 of 20

A red arrow controls the direction you want to travel. What should you do?

AStop and wait for the arrow to go out and a green indication to appearBStop, then turn whenever the lane looks clearCTreat it as a flashing yellow arrowDProceed if no pedestrians are crossing

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Correct answer: A. Stop and wait for the arrow to go out and a green indication to appear

A red arrow bars movement in its direction. Wait until it goes out and a green arrow or green light appears.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Traffic Signals, PDF page 32. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 8 of 20

You reach an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark. How should you respond?

AKeep moving because there is no red lightBFollow the rule for a stop signCStop only if another driver honksDTreat it as a flashing yellow light

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Correct answer: B. Follow the rule for a stop sign

A completely dark signal requires the same stop as a stop sign.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Traffic Signals, PDF page 32. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 9 of 20

Two adjacent lanes allow the same turn. Once you start turning, where should you stay?

AMove into whichever lane has less trafficBMove to the inside lane halfway throughCRemain in your chosen lane until the turn is finishedDStraddle the lanes to keep room around you

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Correct answer: C. Remain in your chosen lane until the turn is finished

Complete the turn within the lane you entered. Changing lanes during the turn can put you in another turning driver’s path.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Turning and Turnabouts, PDF page 38. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 10 of 20

You miss your interstate exit. What should you do?

ABack along the shoulder to the rampBCross the median when traffic is lightCStop in your lane until someone lets you reverseDContinue to a later exit

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Correct answer: D. Continue to a later exit

Use the next exit. Reversing on the interstate is prohibited.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Proper Driving Techniques on the Interstate, PDF page 42. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 11 of 20

In ordinary conditions, what minimum time gap does the South Dakota manual recommend behind the vehicle ahead?

A2 secondsB3 secondsC4 secondsD6 seconds

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Correct answer: C. 4 seconds

Aim for at least 4 seconds of following space. Increase the gap when conditions require more room.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Space in Front, PDF page 51. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 12 of 20

A driver is tailgating you, and no right lane is available. Once passing is legal and the road ahead is clear, what should you do?

ABrake sharply to make the driver back offBReduce your speed gradually so the driver can passCAccelerate until the driver drops behindDDrive near the centerline to prevent a pass

Check answer and source

Correct answer: B. Reduce your speed gradually so the driver can pass

Ease off gradually to encourage a safe pass. Sudden braking increases the chance of a rear-end crash.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Space Behind, PDF page 52. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 13 of 20

After parallel parking, what is the greatest permitted distance between your vehicle and the curb or road edge?

A12 inchesB18 inchesC24 inchesD36 inches

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Correct answer: A. 12 inches

Finish no farther than 12 inches from the curb or edge. Also leave at least 2 feet between your vehicle and the parked vehicles.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Parallel Parking, PDF page 44. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 14 of 20

When you park beside a rural highway, how much road width must remain available for other vehicles?

A6 feetB10 feetC12 feetDAt least 15 feet

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Correct answer: D. At least 15 feet

Rural-highway parking must leave at least 15 feet for traffic to get past.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — No-Parking Zones, PDF page 43. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 15 of 20

You overtake a bicycle on a road posted at 45 mph. What minimum side clearance is required?

A2 feetB3 feetC6 feetDOne foot beyond your mirror

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Correct answer: C. 6 feet

A posted limit above 35 mph requires at least 6 feet of separation. Measure from your vehicle’s rightmost projection, including its mirror, to the bicycle’s left side.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Bicyclists, PDF page 62. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 16 of 20

A school bus ahead has flashing red lights. Which road feature creates the manual’s exception to the stopping requirement for traffic on the other side?

AA painted centerlineBA physical barrier separating the roadwaysCA posted limit above 45 mphDTwo lanes moving in each direction

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Correct answer: B. A physical barrier separating the roadways

The exception depends on a physical barrier. Paint or extra lanes alone do not create that exception.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules for School Buses, PDF page 43. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 17 of 20

During an emergency stop in a vehicle with ABS, the brake pedal vibrates. What should you do?

ARelease and press the pedal repeatedlyBStop braking and use only the parking brakeCKeep firm pressure on the pedalDShift into reverse to slow faster

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Correct answer: C. Keep firm pressure on the pedal

Keep pressing firmly. Pedal vibration and clicking can be normal while ABS works, and steering control remains available.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Braking, PDF page 57. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 18 of 20

Your tires leave the pavement and drop onto a lower shoulder. How should you return to the road?

ASlow gradually, then steer back when it is safeBTurn sharply toward the pavement immediatelyCAccelerate to lift the tires over the edgeDBrake hard while making a quick turn

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Correct answer: A. Slow gradually, then steer back when it is safe

Avoid a sudden steering correction. Reduce speed gradually and return to the pavement when conditions allow.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Uneven Surface Drop-Offs, PDF page 57. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 19 of 20

You and another driver reach an all-way stop together. The other car is on your right. Who should yield?

AThe driver on your rightBYou should yield to the other driverCWhichever driver has the smaller carDWhichever driver intends to continue straight

Check answer and source

Correct answer: B. You should yield to the other driver

When both drivers arrive together at an all-way stop, yield to the vehicle on your right.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Yielding Right-of-Way, PDF page 31. Checked October 27, 2026.

Question 20 of 20

You are leaving a private driveway to enter a public highway. Who has priority?

AYou, once your front wheels enter the highwayBYou, if you have signaledCThe driver traveling on the highwayDThe driver who flashes headlights first

Check answer and source

Correct answer: C. The driver traveling on the highway

Yield to vehicles using the public highway before entering from a driveway or private road.

Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Yielding Right-of-Way, PDF page 31. Checked October 27, 2026.

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