Instruction and Restricted Minor's Permits

Key points

1. You can get an Instruction Permit at 14 by passing the vision and knowledge tests.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “To obtain an Instruction Permit, you must be at least 14 years of age and pass the vision and knowledge tests.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

2. A minor must hold the permit continuously for 275 days, or 180 days after an approved driver education course passed with 80% or better.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “must hold the valid permit continuously for 275 days (180 days if successful completion [score of 80% or better on both written and driving portions of driver education] of an approved Department of Education driver education course)”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

3. You need 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 in bad weather and 10 after dark.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “The driver must complete 50 hours of adult supervised driving on an Instruction Permit (must include 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark).”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

4. The supervising adult must have a valid license and at least 1 year of driving experience.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “The adult must be a parent/legal guardian or other adult with a valid driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

5. A Restricted Minor's Permit allows driving from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a parent's permission; from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. a parent must ride beside you.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “to operate a motor vehicle during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. if the motor vehicle is being operated with the permission of the minor’s parent/legal guardian. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is occupying the seat beside the driver.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

6. For the first 6 months on the Restricted Permit, only immediate family or household members may ride along.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “no passengers are allowed except for immediate family or members of household for first 6 months on the Restricted Permit.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

7. The Restricted Minor's Permit converts automatically to an Operator's License at 18.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “Upon reaching age 18, the permit automatically converts to an Operator’s License.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 8

8. Instruction and Restricted Permit holders may not use any wireless communication device while driving.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Instruction and Restricted permit holders may not use any type of wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 19

9. A second traffic violation on a permit brings a suspension of 180 days or until age 16, whichever is longer.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “the suspension period will be 180 days or the driver’s 16th birthday, whichever is longer.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 13

Numbers to know

3 questions from the South Dakota practice test

1. 1. What is the minimum age for a South Dakota under-18 Instruction Permit?

   1. 15 years old
   2. 14 years old
   3. 15 years and 6 months old
   4. 16 years old
   Show answer

   14 years old. South Dakota allows an under-18 Instruction Permit at age 14 after the applicant passes the required vision and knowledge tests. The 16-year choice is misleading because 16 is tied to an Operator’s License, not the initial under-18 permit. A useful cue is the graduated sequence: at 14 a minor may begin supervised instruction, then must hold the permit for the required period before moving to a restricted permit or license.

2. 2. How long must a South Dakota minor hold an instruction permit continuously before moving to the next stage?

   1. 30 days
   2. 275 days, or 180 days with successful completion of an approved driver education course
   3. 90 days
   4. One full year
   Show answer

   275 days, or 180 days with successful completion of an approved driver education course. Minors at least 14 but under 18 must hold a valid instruction permit continuously for 275 days. The period drops to 180 days for a minor who successfully completes an approved driver education course with a score of 80 percent or better. The permit itself is valid for five years, or until the expiration of the documents authorizing the applicant's presence in the United States, whichever comes first. Thirty and ninety days are far shorter than the law requires.

3. 3. How many supervised driving hours must a South Dakota minor complete on an Instruction Permit?

   1. 50 hours, including 10 in inclement weather and 10 after dark
   2. 25 hours, all during daylight
   3. 40 hours, with no weather or night requirement
   4. 100 hours, including 20 on interstate highways
   Show answer

   50 hours, including 10 in inclement weather and 10 after dark. For an under-18 Instruction Permit holder, South Dakota requires 50 hours of supervised driving. The total must include both difficult-weather practice and after-dark practice, with 10 hours in each category. The 40-hour choice is wrong because it omits the manual’s larger total and the specific conditions. A concrete cue for families is the logbook: count the overall hours, then separately verify that bad-weather and night entries each reach 10 before seeking the next credential.

Source: the South Dakota Driver License Manual, The Driver's License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.