South Dakota teen permit rules
Minimum permit age
14
Requirements under 18
A parent or guardian must consent to every application and be present to sign a first application. Pass the required tests, with a qualifying course certificate able to waive testing for one year after completion. Drive beside an eligible licensed adult who has at least one year of driving experience. Before the restricted-permit upgrade, complete 50 hours supervised by a parent or guardian, including 10 at night and 10 in inclement weather. Hold the instruction permit for 275 days; the 180-day path requires an approved driver-education course with a score of at least 80% on each of its written and driving portions. A restricted permit requires six months without a traffic conviction and a driving test unless waived. Keep that restricted permit for at least six months before a full license, which requires age 16 and six conviction-free months. For the first six restricted-permit months, passengers must be family or household members; afterward, one other passenger is allowed. Driving alone is generally limited to 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; specified direct school, church, work and agricultural trips are exceptions after 10 p.m.
Driver’s education
An approved course is optional. Without it, a minor must keep an instruction permit for 275 days before upgrading; completing an approved course with at least 80% on its written and driving portions shortens that period to 180 days. A course certificate may waive testing for one year after completion.
Only independently reviewed sections are shown. This page is not a complete application checklist.
Handbook and related study
Driver's License Manual - English · REVISED 11/2024 · Official handbook
Checked against reviewed sources on .
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