SD Permit Practice Test 4

All 20 questions in test 4

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 following distance should you normally keep behind the vehicle ahead?

   
   1. One car length for every 20 mph of speed
   2. A minimum of 4 seconds
   3. At least 2 seconds in town and 3 seconds on highways
   4. Close enough to read the rear license plate
   Show answer

   A minimum of 4 seconds. South Dakota teaches a minimum 4 second following distance for ordinary driving. That time gap gives you room to notice a problem, react, and brake without relying on the driver ahead to keep moving. The 2 or 3 choice “At least 2 seconds in town and 3 seconds on highways” is tempting because older advice often used shorter gaps, but it is not the standard in this manual. Pick a roadside object, start counting when the rear of the lead vehicle passes it, and stay back until your count reaches four.

2. 2. A South Dakota driver with a second DWI is caught driving without a license during the revocation. What jail sentence does the manual require?

   1. None, only a fine
   2. At least three days in county jail, which may not be suspended
   3. At least ten days
   4. Exactly 30 days
   Show answer

   At least three days in county jail, which may not be suspended. After a second DWI, the license is lost for a minimum of one year. If that person is convicted of driving without a license during that period, the sentence is not less than three days in county jail, and it may not be suspended. The ten day minimum applies to a person caught driving without a license after a third DWI. A fine-only outcome and a fixed 30 days are not in the rule.

3. 3. How many points trigger a possible license suspension under South Dakota's point system?

   1. 15 points in any 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months
   2. 8 points in any 12 months
   3. 12 points in any 24 months
   4. 30 points in any 36 months
   Show answer

   15 points in any 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months. South Dakota subjects an operator to suspension after accumulating 15 points in any 12 consecutive months or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months. The 8 point, 12 point, and 30 point choices are not South Dakota thresholds and do not appear in the point system. A hearing is available before suspension if the operator requests one. Points are also assessed on out-of-state convictions just as if they happened in South Dakota.

4. 4. Under normal conditions, what minimum following interval does South Dakota recommend?

   1. Two seconds behind the next vehicle
   2. Three car lengths at any speed
   3. One second for every ten miles per hour
   4. Four seconds behind the vehicle in front
   Show answer

   Four seconds behind the vehicle in front. South Dakota recommends a minimum four-second following distance between your car and the vehicle ahead. Three car lengths can be far too short at highway speeds because distance covered per second increases with speed. Use a fixed object such as a sign or pole, count to four after the rear of the vehicle ahead passes it, and increase the interval when conditions get worse.

5. 5. What does this STOP AHEAD warning sign prepare you for?

   
   1. A stop sign ahead
   2. A yield sign after the next curve
   3. A minimum speed zone
   4. A lane reserved for buses
   Show answer

   A stop sign ahead. The South Dakota warning sign table names Stop Sign Ahead as a common warning sign. A minimum speed zone would be shown by a regulatory speed sign, not this advance warning. The cue is the small stop symbol on the yellow sign; begin checking your mirror and reducing speed so the actual stop sign does not require a hard last-second brake.

6. 6. At this red eight-sided sign, where should you stop if a stop line or crosswalk is present?

   
   1. Past the crosswalk where you can see better
   2. Beside the sign after yielding
   3. Only before the sign post itself
   4. Behind the stop line or crosswalk
   Show answer

   Behind the stop line or crosswalk. A stop sign requires a full stop, and South Dakota tells drivers to stop behind the stop line or crosswalk when one is present. Stopping past the crosswalk is wrong because it can place the vehicle in the pedestrian area before yielding. Watch for the painted stop line first, then the crosswalk, and then crossing traffic and pedestrians before you move again.

7. 7. What does this lane-ends warning sign mean?

   
   1. Passing is required on both shoulders
   2. One lane ahead ends or narrows
   3. The road becomes a one-way street
   4. A school bus stop is ahead
   Show answer

   One lane ahead ends or narrows. South Dakota includes Lane Ends in its common warning sign table. The one-way choice describes a regulatory direction sign, while this yellow warning gives advance notice that lane space will change. Use the taper or narrowing symbol as the cue to check mirrors, signal when needed, and merge early instead of waiting until pavement disappears. A lane that ends without warning is a frequent cause of sideswipe crashes, which is why the sign is posted well ahead of the taper.

8. 8. What does the South Dakota manual say about assuming you have the right-of-way at an intersection?

   1. It always belongs to the vehicle that is moving faster
   2. The driver on the larger road always has it
   3. No one should assume they automatically have it; consider the situation and circumstances
   4. A driver who signals first has it
   Show answer

   No one should assume they automatically have it; consider the situation and circumstances. The yielding rules are a guide to who should give way, but the manual adds that no one should assume he or she automatically has the right-of-way. The situation and circumstances at the intersection must always be considered, because another driver may not know or follow the rule. Road size, speed, and who signals first do not settle priority. Slow, look, and be prepared to yield even when the rule seems to favor you; being right is no help in a crash.

9. 9. How long is a South Dakota Instruction Permit valid?

   1. Five years, or until the lawful presence document expires if sooner
   2. Two years from issue
   3. One year from issue
   4. Until the holder turns 18
   Show answer

   Five years, or until the lawful presence document expires if sooner. A South Dakota Instruction Permit, for minors and adults alike, is valid for five years or until the expiration date on the documents authorizing the applicant's presence in the U.S., whichever occurs first. One and two years are shorter terms used by other states. The permit does not end at 18; instead a Restricted Minor's Permit converts to an Operator's License at 18. The Motorcycle Instruction Permit is the one valid for one year.

10. 10. What should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with flashing lights and sirens on?

    
    1. Pull over to the edge of the road and avoid blocking intersections
    2. Stop immediately wherever your vehicle is located
    3. Follow the vehicle closely through traffic
    4. Move left and continue at the posted speed
    Show answer

    Pull over to the edge of the road and avoid blocking intersections. When an emergency vehicle uses flashing lights and sirens, yield by pulling over to the edge of the road so it can pass. Avoid blocking intersections because emergency drivers may need that space to maneuver. Stopping immediately wherever you are can block the route or trap the vehicle behind you. The cue is the combination of siren and flashing lights: signal your intent, move toward the edge, and leave intersections open.

11. 11. At a steady green light, what must you do before moving from a stop?

    1. Enter immediately before cross traffic reacts
    2. Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection
    3. Wait until the light turns yellow
    4. Turn left without yielding to oncoming traffic
    Show answer

    Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection. A green light allows movement, but South Dakota requires a stopped driver to let crossing traffic clear before proceeding. Entering immediately can trap you in conflict with a late vehicle or pedestrian. The cue is a fresh green after you have been stopped; pause long enough to confirm the intersection is open. This small pause is most important just after a signal change, when cross traffic may still be finishing.

12. 12. How does the South Dakota manual define a truck's No-Zone?

    1. The lane reserved for trucks on hills
    2. The 100 feet directly in front of a truck only
    3. Any area where trucks are prohibited
    4. The areas around trucks and buses where cars disappear into blind spots or are so close they restrict the driver's ability to stop or maneuver
    Show answer

    The areas around trucks and buses where cars disappear into blind spots or are so close they restrict the driver's ability to stop or maneuver. Trucks and buses have blind spots called No-Zones. The manual defines them as the areas around trucks and buses where cars disappear into blind spots or are so close that they restrict the truck or bus driver's ability to stop or maneuver safely. Both kinds greatly increase the potential for a crash. The No-Zone surrounds the vehicle on the sides, front and rear, not just ahead, and it has nothing to do with truck restrictions or hill lanes.

13. 13. Where should emergency flares or triangles be placed for a disabled vehicle on the highway?

    1. Five feet ahead of the vehicle in the same lane
    2. Directly under the front bumper
    3. In the driver's lap until help arrives
    4. About 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle
    Show answer

    About 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle. For a disabled highway vehicle, place emergency flares or triangles about 200 to 300 feet behind it. That distance gives approaching drivers time to see the warning and change lanes if needed. Putting a warning directly under the bumper is too close to help traffic react. The cue is a stopped vehicle on a high speed road: after getting clear of traffic, set warnings far enough back to create advance notice.

14. 14. What does a South Dakota no passing sign tell you?

    1. The shoulder may be used to pass slowly
    2. Passing is required before the next hill
    3. Passing is not permitted at that location
    4. Only motorcycles may pass there
    Show answer

    Passing is not permitted at that location. No passing signs identify places where a driver may not legally pass. They are tied to sight distance and hidden hazards such as hills, curves, intersections, and driveways. Using the shoulder to pass is not allowed. The cue is the no passing sign together with pavement markings showing where a passing zone begins or ends. Do not rely on habit from a previous open stretch; the sign marks a changed condition ahead.

15. 15. Under South Dakota's Zero Tolerance law, what BAC range can lead to an arrest for a driver under 21?

    1. Any measurable amount above 0.00%
    2. 0.05% to 0.10%
    3. Only 0.08% or higher, the same as adults
    4. 0.02% to 0.08%
    Show answer

    0.02% to 0.08%. South Dakota applies Zero Tolerance to drivers under 21 at a BAC of 0.02% to 0.08%, a band well below the adult DWI level. Choosing the adult figure misses the point of the law, which is that a young driver can be arrested long before reaching 0.08%. The manual also notes that any measurable amount above zero is not the stated threshold in South Dakota; the number is 0.02%. Once arrested, the driver may be asked to take a chemical test, and consent to that test was given by driving on a public highway.

16. 16. What must you do when facing a completely unlighted traffic signal in South Dakota?

    1. Keep moving if cross traffic appears light
    2. Treat it as a yield sign until power returns
    3. Stop as though you were at a stop sign
    4. Follow the last color you saw before it went dark
    Show answer

    Stop as though you were at a stop sign. South Dakota gives a specific rule for a dark signal: a red or completely unlighted signal requires the same stop you would make at a stop sign. Treating it as a yield sign is too loose because yielding can allow a rolling entry. Your cue is the absence of a working lamp facing you; make a full stop, check each approach, and proceed only when safe.

17. 17. 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.

18. 18. In a South Dakota school zone with flashing lights or children present, what speed rule applies?

    1. Stop at every driveway
    2. Drive the regular limit unless a crossing guard is present
    3. Obey the slower speed limit
    4. Use the same speed as nearby traffic
    Show answer

    Obey the slower speed limit. The manual gives a direct school-zone instruction: when lights are flashing or children are present, obey the slower limit. Matching surrounding traffic is not enough if those drivers are failing to slow. The crossing-guard choice is incomplete because a guard can require stopping, but the speed duty exists when the lights flash or children are there. Use the cue of school-zone activity: flashing lights, children near the road, or a patrol signal mean your speed must drop.

19. 19. What is the safest response before passing a slow-moving vehicle you are not sure about?

    1. Pass on the right before it reaches the next driveway
    2. Honk steadily so the driver holds a straight path
    3. Wait until you are sure there is enough space
    4. Move beside it and check for a hand signal
    Show answer

    Wait until you are sure there is enough space. South Dakota tells drivers to wait when they are unsure there is enough room to pass. Passing on the right is especially wrong near slow farm equipment because the manual separately says never to do that. Use practical cues before committing: a left edge movement, a driveway, oncoming traffic, or blocked sight distance all mean staying back until the pass is clearly open.

20. 20. 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.