Driving test (on-the-road skill test)
South Dakota Road Test (2026) What’s on the Driving Test, Scoring & Tips
South Dakota's driving test is an on-the-road skill test with a Department of Public Safety examiner. It 'consists of normal driving tasks', and you won't be asked to do anything illegal. Drive tests must be scheduled. The state does not publish a list of maneuvers, a score sheet or scoring rules. Teens who passed an approved driver education class in the last year skip the drive test.
Checked October 4, 2026 against official South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program sources. Tap a numbered chip to read the exact wording.
- Maneuvers in official sources
- —
- Score limit
- Not published
- Listed automatic failures
- None listed
Who can take the South Dakota road test
Teens 14-17 test for the Restricted Minor's Permit after holding an instruction permit 275 days (180 days with approved driver ed), logging 50 supervised hours (10 in bad weather and 10 after dark), with no traffic convictions in the last six months and parent or guardian consent. The test must be scheduled ahead, online or by phone. Official source 1sd.gov“275 days (or 180 days after passing driver’s ed) if permit was issued July 1, 2020, or after, or”“Must have completed 50 hours of adult supervised driving on an Instruction Permit (must include 10 hours in inclement weather & 10 hours after dark) unless instruction permit was issued before July 1, 2020.”“Not have had any traffic convictions within the last six months. Your parent or guardian must sign giving consent, either in person at a driver exam station or by completing a Parental Consent Form (notarized).”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 2sd.gov“As of the date this manual was printed, drive tests in all locations must be scheduled. You may schedule a drive test online at https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing or by phone at 1-605-773-6883.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
What to bring on test day
Tick things off as you pack. Saved on this device.
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Vehicle requirements
The examiner checks your car before you drive. If it fails, you usually can’t take the test that day.
- You furnish your own safe vehicle
- No pets or passengers in the vehicle during the test
- Children and pets are not permitted in the testing area
How the South Dakota road test is scored
No scoring method, point scale or error limit is published. By statute the test must include an actual demonstration of your ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle. Official source 2sd.gov“This test will provide an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. The driving test consists of normal driving tasks. You will not be asked to do anything against the law.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 3sdlegislature.gov“and shall include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Automatic failures
We found no official list of automatic failures for South Dakota. Treat any dangerous action, a crash, or breaking a traffic law as likely to fail the test.
Skills the examiner watches the whole time
Ordinary and reasonable control of the vehicle
The statute requires an actual demonstration of vehicle control; the manual says the test is normal driving tasks. Official source 3sdlegislature.gov“and shall include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Following the examiner's instructions (in English)
You must cooperate fully and follow instructions; instructions are given in English, and a department-approved interpreter you pay for may ride along. Official source 2sd.gov“The applicant must cooperate fully with the examiner and follow instructions. License applicants must furnish their own safe vehicle for the on-the-road skill test.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 4sdlegislature.gov“Any instructions given to the applicant during the driving test must be administered in English. An applicant who is a native speaker of any language other than English may bring an interpreter along during the driving test”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
If you fail the South Dakota road test
You may not retest before the next working day. Each fee covers three attempts within six months; after three failures in six months you pay the fee again. Official source 2sd.gov“If you fail any of the tests, you may not re-test before the next working day. You may wait longer if you want more time to study the manual or to practice driving.”“You are allowed 3 opportunities to test for each fee paid within a 6-month period. After 3 failures in a 6-month period, the fee will need to be repaid.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 5sdlegislature.gov“payment of such fee entitles the applicant to not more than three attempts to pass the examination within a period of six months from the date of application.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Didn’t pass? What to do next, including the South Dakota permit (knowledge) test retake rules.
Waivers and third-party testing
Teens upgrading to a Restricted Minor's Permit don't need the drive test if they passed an approved driver education class within the last year. Drivers transferring a valid out-of-state license aren't tested (unless they have a hazmat endorsement). Official source 1sd.gov“to upgrade (drive test not required if you have passed an approved driver education class within the last year).”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 2sd.gov“If you are currently holding a valid out-of-state driver license, no testing will be required for the transfer of that license unless you have a hazardous materials endorsement.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
South Dakota road test questions
What is on the South Dakota road test?
South Dakota's driving test is an on-the-road skill test with a Department of Public Safety examiner. It 'consists of normal driving tasks', and you won't be asked to do anything illegal. Drive tests must be scheduled. The state does not publish a list of maneuvers, a score sheet or scoring rules. Teens who passed an approved driver education class in the last year skip the drive test.
How is the South Dakota driving test scored?
No scoring method, point scale or error limit is published. By statute the test must include an actual demonstration of your ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle.
What do I need to bring to the South Dakota road test?
Your instruction permit; Driver's ed certificate, if you have one; Two pieces of mail proving your residential address (yours or your parent's); Parent or guardian in person, or a notarized Parental Consent Form; Your own safe vehicle; and .00 fee (covers three attempts within six months).
What are the vehicle requirements for the South Dakota road test?
You furnish your own safe vehicle; No pets or passengers in the vehicle during the test; and Children and pets are not permitted in the testing area.
When can I take the South Dakota road test?
Teens 14-17 test for the Restricted Minor's Permit after holding an instruction permit 275 days (180 days with approved driver ed), logging 50 supervised hours (10 in bad weather and 10 after dark), with no traffic convictions in the last six months and parent or guardian consent. The test must be scheduled ahead, online or by phone.
What happens if I fail the South Dakota road test?
You may not retest before the next working day. Each fee covers three attempts within six months; after three failures in six months you pay the fee again.
Can the South Dakota road test be waived?
Teens upgrading to a Restricted Minor's Permit don't need the drive test if they passed an approved driver education class within the last year. Drivers transferring a valid out-of-state license aren't tested (unless they have a hazmat endorsement).
Notes from our check
South Dakota publishes very little about the road test: no maneuver list, score sheet, scoring rules or automatic-failure list was found in the driver manual, the DPS teen-licensing handout, SDCL chapter 32-12 or ARSD article 61:18. So maneuvers and automatic_failures are empty rather than guessed. The manual describes parallel parking and two- and three-point turnabouts as general driving skills, but never says they're on the test. The DPS knowledge-base pages (sd.gov/dps?id=kb_article_view...) are rendered by JavaScript and couldn't be quote-checked. The manual also says no drive tests are given from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. or within an hour of closing.
Sources
Every fact above links to one of these official pages. Checked October 4, 2026.
This guide summarizes official South Dakota sources for study. It is not the test itself, and only a DPS examiner (or a tester the state licenses) can pass or fail you. Rules change; confirm with South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program before test day.