South Dakota permit test cheat sheet

South Dakota-specific rules from our question bank, condensed to one line each with the handbook page. Read it the night before; don’t use it instead of practicing.

Study sheet for before your test. Notes aren’t allowed in the DMV test room. See the study sheets to print.

Test format: Not published
Passing score: 80%
Permit and test fees: $38 total
Minimum age for a permit: 14 years
Supervised driving: 50 hours (10 at night)
Hold your permit: 9 months minimum

Permits & licensing

In South Dakota you can get an Instruction Permit at 14 by passing the vision and knowledge tests. p. 8
Minors must hold the Instruction Permit continuously for 275 days before upgrading. p. 8
Minors normally hold the Instruction Permit for 275 days. p. 8
A minor must log 50 hours of adult-supervised driving on the Instruction Permit. p. 8
South Dakota's 50 supervised hours must include 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark. p. 8
Your supervisor must be a parent, legal guardian or another adult who has a valid driver's license and at least one year of driving experience. p. 8
South Dakota requires the supervising adult to be seated beside the Instruction Permit holder. p. 8
A Restricted Minor's Permit lets you drive from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with your parent or guardian's permission. p. 8
From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. a restricted permit holder must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in the seat beside them. p. 8
After 10 p.m. a restricted permit holder may drive alone only by the most direct route to or from school or a school event, church or a church event, work, or farm work. p. 8
For the first 6 months on a Restricted Minor's Permit, no passengers are allowed except immediate family or members of your household. p. 8
To get a Restricted Minor's Permit you must complete the Instruction Permit requirements, pass the driving test, and have no traffic violation convictions during the six months before you apply. p. 8
A Restricted Minor's Permit is for drivers under 18. p. 8
If you fail any of the license tests, you may not retest before the next working day. p. 10
Each fee paid gives you 3 opportunities to test within a 6-month period. p. 10
A person caught cheating will not be allowed to retest the following day. p. 10
To get a license without restrictions, you must score 20/40 or better with both eyes and no worse than 20/50 in either eye. p. 18

Laws, points & insurance

A driver who collects 15 points in any 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months, is subject to suspension. p. 14
South Dakota does not assess points for speeding, standing, parking, equipment, or size and weight violations. p. 14
When multiple offenses arise from a single incident, points are assessed only on the offense carrying the highest point value. p. 14
Under the point system, the first suspension lasts 60 days, the second 6 months, and any later suspension 1 year. p. 14
Points are assessed on out-of-state convictions just as if they were committed in South Dakota. p. 14
Written evidence of financial responsibility, such as an insurance card showing the company, policy number and coverage dates, must be carried in the vehicle and shown to any officer who asks. p. 14
Failing to maintain proof of financial responsibility is a Class 2 misdemeanor and brings a license suspension of not less than 30 days or more than one year. p. 14
The Certificate of Title proves ownership and is needed to sell the vehicle, so keep it somewhere safe, not in the car. p. 13
New residents with a valid out-of-state non-commercial license must apply for a South Dakota license within 90 days of establishing residency. p. 5
South Dakota liability insurance must cover at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one crash, and $25,000 for damage to others' property. source