South Dakota DMV Permit Practice Test 2024

Drivers convicted of leaving a crash scene resulting in death or personal injury will be charged with a Class 6 Felony. A Class 6 Felony in South Dakota is punishable by imprisonment for up to 2 years and expensive fines up to $2,000.

Flashing amber lights are used by school buses in South Dakota and many other states to indicate that they are slowing down and preparing to stop. A motorists meeting or overtaking a school bus with flashing amber lights on a two-lane highway or private road must reduce his/her speed to to no more than 20 mph and proceed with caution. The amber lights are generally activated 100-300 feet before the bus will stop depending on the speed limit.

In South Dakota, drivers may pass on the right of a vehicle preparing for or making a left turn. However, this must not be done by driving on the shoulder.

In South Dakota, motorists must stop and yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks. When approaching a crosswalk, use caution and watch both sides of the street for pedestrians. Pedestrians have both right and duties, and should not attempt to cross the road at any place other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

In South Dakota, the driver and all front-seat passengers age 18 and older must wear a seat belt. Violation of the seat belt law is a secondary offense. In addition, the child passenger safety law also requires that all children wear an appropriate child restraint. What is appropriate depends on the size, height and weight of the child.

Removing snow and ice will not only make it easier for you to see the road ahead. It will also make it easier for other road users to see you. While it can be beneficial to let your engine warm up before driving, it's unnecessary to let it warm up for 40 minutes. Checking your tire tread depth is important, but it is something you should do when driving in all weather conditions and not just snowy conditions.

School buses, vehicles carrying passengers for hire, and vehicles transporting hazardous material must stop at all railroad crossings in South Dakota. If you are driving behind any of these vehicles, you should be prepared to stop as well.

South Dakota has a point system to keep unsafe drivers off the roads. Failure to yield right-of-way is a 4-point violation. Improper passing is a 4-point violation. A stop sign or light violation is a 3-point violation. Accumulating 15 points within any 12-month period or 22 points within any 24-month period causes an automatic suspension of the driver's license.

Studded tires have studs embedded in the tread that provide added traction. They are permitted in South Dakota between October 1 to April 30, and the rest of the year if retracted.

The added weight of the trailer to your vehicle can drastically increase the distance needed to come to a full stop. For this reason, most states have laws regarding independent braking on trailers over a certain gross vehicle weight (GVW). In South Dakota, the gross weight limit is 3,000 lbs.

The child restraint law requires that children be seated in appropriate restraint systems for their size, weight and height. Child restraint laws are standard enforcement. In South Dakota: Children under 18 years of age must wear a seat belt or appropriate restraint. Children under 5 years of age or less than 40 lbs must be restrained in a child restraint system. Never place a rear-facing child safety seat in a seat that has an active airbag.

When exiting a freeway or interstate, you may cause a rear-end collision if you begin slowing down too early as other drivers may not expect it. Wait until after entering the deceleration lane before slowing down.

The sign indicates in which direction you are allowed to turn or proceed.

When traveling near parked vehicles you should be aware of vehicles pulling out and/or drivers opening their doors. Also look between the cars for pedestrians, especially children, who may run out.

Turn the wheels in the direction of the curb/side of the road when parking your vehicle facing downhill  - this way, the curb helps stop your vehicle if the parking brake fails. 

Remember to apply the parking brake and to leave your vehicle in the correct gear (reverse if a manual vehicle, and ‘P’ if an automatic vehicle). Leaving your vehicle in the correct gear will help prevent your vehicle from rolling in case of brake failure. 

On well-lit roads, low-beam headlights will often not help you see further. However, other drivers may be able to see you more easily.

Look for signs indicating the direction of the one-way street you are entering, and make sure you don’t turn in the wrong direction! If you turn left into a one-way street where traffic flows to the right, you will be driving in the wrong direction.

Keep calm and don’t accelerate or brake hard. Regaining control over your vehicle is pivotal to avoid an accident during an acceleration skid. 

In case of an acceleration skid - keep a firm grip on the steering wheel, take your foot off the gas pedal, and steer your vehicle in the direction you want to go.

Be extra careful when braking or cornering as your tires aren’t able to grip a soft surface as well as they can a firm dry one.

This service sign tells you that there is a gas station nearby.