Right of way, funerals and intersections

Key points

1. No one should assume they automatically have the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “no one should assume he or she automatically has the right-of-way.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

2. Yield to the driver who arrives at the intersection before you.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “The driver who is at or arrives before you at the intersection”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

3. When turning left, yield to drivers in the opposing lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Drivers in the opposing traffic lane when you are making a left turn”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

4. At an all way stop, if two drivers arrive together, yield to the driver on your right.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “The driver on your right at an all-way stop intersection if both of you arrive at the intersection at the same time”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

5. Entering a public highway from a driveway or private road, yield to drivers already on it.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Drivers on a public highway if you are entering the highway from a driveway or a private road”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

6. Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers still in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers who are still in the intersection”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

7. Only the first vehicle in a funeral procession must obey signs and signals; procession vehicles have headlights on.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Only the first vehicle in a funeral procession must obey traffic signs and signals. Vehicles in the procession must have headlights on.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

8. Do not cut into or interfere with a funeral procession.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Do not cut into or interfere with a funeral procession.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 31

9. Look left, then right, then left again before entering an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “It is recommended that you look left, then right, and then left again before entering the intersection.”
   South Dakota Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 39

3 questions from the South Dakota practice test

1. 1. At an all-way stop in South Dakota, two vehicles arrive at the same time. Which driver should you yield to?

   1. The driver going faster before stopping
   2. The driver on your left
   3. The driver with the newest vehicle
   4. The driver on your right
   Show answer

   The driver on your right. When two vehicles reach an all-way stop simultaneously, South Dakota uses the driver-on-the-right rule. Yielding left would reverse the manual’s order and can create hesitation or conflict when both drivers expect the same convention. Vehicle age and approach speed are irrelevant once both have arrived together. The cue is a tie at the stop: if arrival is simultaneous, look to your right and allow that driver to proceed first.

2. 2. When turning left in South Dakota, which traffic must you yield to?

   1. Drivers in the opposing traffic lane
   2. Drivers behind you in your lane
   3. Parked vehicles on the far curb
   4. Only vehicles with flashing headlights
   Show answer

   Drivers in the opposing traffic lane. A left turn crosses the path of vehicles coming from the opposite direction, so South Dakota directs the turning driver to yield to opposing traffic. The driver-behind-you option confuses signaling and rear awareness with right-of-way; you still check mirrors, but the conflict point is ahead across oncoming lanes. A useful road cue is the gap in oncoming traffic: wait until approaching vehicles are far enough away before you turn across their lane.

3. 3. You are leaving a private road and entering a South Dakota public highway. Who has priority?

   1. Drivers already on the public highway
   2. The driver leaving the private road
   3. Only traffic approaching from the left
   4. Whichever vehicle is moving more slowly
   Show answer

   Drivers already on the public highway. Traffic already on the public highway has priority over a driver entering from a private road or driveway. The private-road driver is joining an established traffic stream and must wait for a safe opening. The left-side-only choice is too limited because the rule applies to drivers on the highway, not just one direction. Watch for the cue that your vehicle is coming from private property or a driveway; that is when you yield before entering.

Source: the South Dakota Driver License Manual, Rules of the Road. 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.