SD Permit Practice Test 1

All 20 questions in test 1

Every question below comes from the South Dakota question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. What should you do if your vehicle breaks down on a highway?

   1. Stop just past a hill so approaching traffic slows
   2. Leave the vehicle in the lane with headlights off
   3. Get off the road and turn on emergency flashers
   4. Stand behind the vehicle to direct traffic around it
   Show answer

   Get off the road and turn on emergency flashers. For a highway breakdown, get the vehicle off the road and away from traffic, then turn on emergency flashers so other drivers can see the problem. Standing behind the vehicle or stopping where sight distance is poor increases the chance of being struck. The hill choice is wrong because the manual warns against stopping just over a hill or around a curve. Use the cue of disabled movement: move out of the travel lane before anything else if possible.

2. 2. When may a driver under 18 with a restricted minor's permit drive alone after 10 p.m.?

   1. Whenever the trip is inside the driver's home county
   2. When taking the most direct route to or from school, church, work, or farm related work
   3. Only when carrying no passengers and staying under 35 mph
   4. Any time after completing one month on the restricted permit
   Show answer

   When taking the most direct route to or from school, church, work, or farm related work. A restricted minor's permit normally limits unsupervised driving after 10 p.m., but South Dakota lists specific direct route exceptions. School, church, work, and farm related work can qualify when the driver takes the most direct route. The no passengers and 35 mph choice sounds cautious, yet it adds conditions that do not create a late night privilege. The cue is trip purpose: if it is not one of the listed purposes, a parent or legal guardian must be beside the driver.

3. 3. What do orange work zone signs warn drivers about?

   1. Construction, maintenance, or emergency operations ahead
   2. Railroad crossings with multiple tracks
   3. Tourist destinations and recreation areas
   4. Hospital and rest area services nearby
   Show answer

   Construction, maintenance, or emergency operations ahead. Orange work zone signs alert you that construction, maintenance, or emergency operations are ahead. They are not service signs, which use blue backgrounds for gas, hospitals, rest areas, and similar stops. Treat orange as a cue to reduce speed, expect workers or equipment, and watch for lane changes or rough surfaces. The service choice is wrong because it describes conveniences rather than a temporary road hazard.

4. 4. Where does the South Dakota manual say to find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle?

   1. On the tire sidewall only
   2. At any gas station pump
   3. On the registration card
   4. In the owner's manual or on the driver side door jamb
   Show answer

   In the owner's manual or on the driver side door jamb. Before entering a vehicle, check tire pressures using the recommended PSI located in the vehicle owner's manual or on the driver side door jamb. Use a tire pressure gauge; if the PSI is above the listed number let air out, and if it is below add air or have a tire professional help. The sidewall number is a maximum, not the recommendation. Underinflated or worn tires lengthen stopping distance and make turning harder on wet roads.

5. 5. A South Dakota driver under 21 has a BAC of 0.03%. Which statement matches the manual?

   1. The driver is legal because BAC is below 0.08%
   2. The driver may be arrested for alcohol impairment under the underage rule
   3. The driver can only be cited for possession, not driving
   4. The driver is legal if no crash occurred
   Show answer

   The driver may be arrested for alcohol impairment under the underage rule. For drivers under 21, South Dakota allows arrest for alcohol impairment at 0.02%, so 0.03% is already over that underage threshold. The adult 0.08% number is the tempting mistake; it applies to DWI evidence for adults, not as a safe harbor for minors. The crash choice also misses the point because the rule is triggered by BAC and age. The cue is the driver’s birthday: under 21 means the much lower alcohol limit controls.

6. 6. What does a red arrow signal mean?

   1. You may turn after yielding to pedestrians
   2. The arrow direction has priority over other lanes
   3. You may proceed if there is no oncoming traffic
   4. You must stop and may not go in the arrow's direction
   Show answer

   You must stop and may not go in the arrow's direction. A red arrow means stop, and you cannot move in the direction shown by the arrow until the signal changes. It is stricter than a permissive turn movement because the arrow specifically controls that direction. The yield and turn choice is wrong because it treats a red arrow like a right turn on a circular red light. The cue is the arrow shape: it applies to the indicated turn lane or movement, not every direction at the intersection.

7. 7. When a vehicle behind you wants to pass, what should you do to increase space in front?

   1. Slow down so the pass can be completed sooner
   2. Move left to block the passing lane
   3. Speed up until the driver drops back
   4. Tap the brakes repeatedly to warn the driver away
   Show answer

   Slow down so the pass can be completed sooner. When the driver behind wants to pass, slow down enough to create room ahead of you. That makes the pass shorter and gives the passing driver a place to return. Speeding up or blocking the lane increases conflict and can trap the other driver alongside you. A concrete cue is a vehicle edging left or showing an intention to pass: hold steady control, reduce speed gradually, and leave a usable opening in front.

8. 8. What should a driver do during an enforcement stop to acknowledge the officer?

   1. Open the driver door while moving
   2. Flash high beams repeatedly
   3. Turn on the right turn signal
   4. Wave both hands out the window
   Show answer

   Turn on the right turn signal. During an enforcement stop, turn on your right turn signal to show the officer you recognize their presence and intend to yield. Flashing high beams or waving hands can be confusing and does not guide your vehicle to a safer stopping location. The driver door choice is dangerous because the vehicle is still moving. The cue is patrol lights behind you: signal right, move safely to the right shoulder, and choose a place that keeps both vehicles away from traffic.

9. 9. If your wheels leave the paved road surface, how should you return?

   1. Steer sharply back onto the pavement at once
   2. Slow gradually when safe, then turn back onto the pavement
   3. Brake hard and stop in the travel lane
   4. Accelerate until all wheels are on the shoulder
   Show answer

   Slow gradually when safe, then turn back onto the pavement. For a pavement drop off, avoid panic steering. Slow down gradually when it is safe, regain control, and then turn back onto the pavement. Jerking the wheel immediately can make the vehicle overcorrect into another lane or off the road. The brake hard choice also creates risk because traffic may be behind you and the shoulder may have less traction. The cue is tires dropping from pavement: keep steering steady, reduce speed, and return smoothly.

10. 10. A South Dakota driver's license was suspended (not revoked). What is needed to reinstate it?

    1. Full vision, knowledge, and driving tests every time
    2. A $225 fee and a court hearing
    3. An application fee and a $50 reinstatement fee, with no testing unless the license has expired
    4. Nothing, it reinstates automatically
    Show answer

    An application fee and a $50 reinstatement fee, with no testing unless the license has expired. Following a suspension, South Dakota requires no testing unless the license has expired, only an application fee and a $50 reinstatement fee. A revocation is stricter: vision and knowledge tests are required along with the application fee and a $50 to $225 reinstatement fee, which is where the $225 figure comes from. Reinstatement is never automatic after a withdrawal of the privilege.

11. 11. A 15-year-old in South Dakota with no permit or license gets a traffic violation. What happens?

    1. Nothing, because the teen holds no license
    2. A like suspension to what a permit holder would receive
    3. A $25 fine only
    4. The teen's parents lose their licenses
    Show answer

    A like suspension to what a permit holder would receive. Anyone under 18 who receives a violation and does not have an Instruction Permit, Restricted Minor's Permit, or Operator License receives a like suspension to a permit holder. For a first violation under 16 that is thirty days, and a second offense means 180 days or until the 16th birthday, whichever is longer. Not holding a license does not protect the teen, and the rule does not reach the parents' licenses.

12. 12. What does a pennant-shaped NO PASSING ZONE sign mark?

    
    1. A road segment for bicycles only
    2. A lane where passing is required
    3. A shoulder where slow vehicles must drive
    4. A place where passing is not permitted
    Show answer

    A place where passing is not permitted. South Dakota says no-passing signs tell drivers where passing is not permitted. The idea that passing is required reverses the message and could put a driver into oncoming traffic near hills, curves, intersections, or other hazards. Treat the pennant as an early cue to stay in your lane and wait for markings or signs that show passing is again allowed.

13. 13. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., when may a South Dakota Restricted Minor’s Permit holder drive under the basic restriction?

    1. Whenever the trip is less than 5 miles
    2. When any licensed friend rides in the back seat
    3. When accompanied by a parent or legal guardian seated beside the driver
    4. Only if the vehicle has daytime running lamps
    Show answer

    When accompanied by a parent or legal guardian seated beside the driver. The basic nighttime restriction for a Restricted Minor’s Permit requires a parent or legal guardian in the seat beside the driver from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. A licensed friend in the back seat does not meet that requirement because the adult must be the parent or guardian and must occupy the adjacent seat. The cue is clock time: after 10 p.m., check whether the listed exception applies or whether the parent or guardian is seated beside the minor.

14. 14. During the first 6 months on a South Dakota Restricted Permit, which passengers are allowed?

    1. Immediate family or household members only
    2. One unrelated passenger of any age
    3. Any passengers if all wear seatbelts
    4. No passengers, including family
    Show answer

    Immediate family or household members only. For the first 6 months on the Restricted Permit, South Dakota limits passengers to immediate family or household members. The unrelated-passenger option is wrong for that initial period, even if the rider is responsible or belted. The all-seatbelts option also misses the passenger-category restriction. The cue is how long the minor has held the restricted permit: during the first 6 months, keep the passenger list within family or household unless another rule clearly changes the situation.

15. 15. South Dakota says a driver making a left turn must yield to which traffic?

    
    1. Oncoming traffic
    2. Only parked vehicles on the right
    3. Traffic behind you in your lane
    4. Only vehicles with hazard flashers
    Show answer

    Oncoming traffic. South Dakota gives a simple left-turn rule: yield to oncoming traffic before turning across its path. Traffic behind you is important for signaling and braking, but it is not the traffic you cross during the turn. The cue is any approaching vehicle in the opposite lane that could reach the intersection while you turn. A safe left turn depends on the gap, not just on arriving first or having your signal activated.

16. 16. On a two-direction roadway, what does a double yellow center line mean?

    1. Drivers may pass when no crosswalk is marked
    2. Passing is permitted from either direction
    3. Only the left lane may pass
    4. Passing is prohibited in both directions
    Show answer

    Passing is prohibited in both directions. South Dakota's pavement marking chart says a double yellow line on a two-direction roadway means passing is prohibited in both directions. The either-direction choice reverses the rule and would invite drivers across the center line illegally. Use the pair of solid yellow lines as the cue to stay right of center and wait for a dashed line on your side before considering a pass.

17. 17. If this sign faces you at a one-way street, what should you understand?

    
    1. Traffic ahead flows only during daylight hours
    2. You may continue if no vehicles are approaching
    3. You are headed against the permitted direction
    4. The lane is reserved for left turns
    Show answer

    You are headed against the permitted direction. South Dakota's one-way guidance says traffic moves only with the arrow and never to drive against that direction. A lack of approaching vehicles is not permission to continue, since the restriction is based on the street direction. The cue is a wrong-way or one-way control facing your vehicle; stop, avoid entering farther, and turn around only when it can be done legally and safely.

18. 18. Where is this X-shaped RAILROAD CROSSING sign located?

    
    1. At the end of a passing zone
    2. One mile before every railroad yard
    3. Only beside tracks with automatic gates
    4. At the highway-railroad grade crossing
    Show answer

    At the highway-railroad grade crossing. South Dakota identifies the white X-shaped crossbuck as the sign located at the highway-railroad grade crossing. Saying it appears only where gates are installed is too narrow because crossings can have different controls. The cue is the crossbuck itself at the tracks; look and listen there, and stop behind the proper line when a train or railroad vehicle is approaching.

19. 19. Which action is one of the three crash avoidance options listed by South Dakota?

    1. Honking, parking, or idling
    2. Braking, steering, or accelerating
    3. Texting, signaling, or coasting
    4. Stopping, reversing, or opening a door
    Show answer

    Braking, steering, or accelerating. South Dakota frames emergency avoidance around three active vehicle-control choices: braking, steering, and accelerating. Parking or idling does not match that emergency response set and may leave the vehicle in the hazard. The cue is an immediate crash threat; choose the control action that creates space or reduces the impact. Braking is not always the answer; steering or accelerating may be safer when stopping would leave you in the impact path.

20. 20. What do green or brown destination signs show?

    1. Directions and distance to locations such as cities or special areas
    2. That a vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph
    3. Where drivers must stop for a school bus
    4. That passing is permitted in both directions
    Show answer

    Directions and distance to locations such as cities or special areas. Destination signs use green or brown backgrounds with white lettering to show directions and distances to places, airports, state lines, parks, museums, or other special areas. The slow-moving vehicle triangle is a different sign entirely. The cue is route or destination information rather than a command to stop, yield, or change speed. Read these signs early enough to choose the proper lane without a sudden last-minute movement.