South Dakota permit test: sharing the road
Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, trucks, buses and slow vehicles. 6 questions.
On a road posted at 35 mph or less, how much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist going your way?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample sharing the road questions
On a road posted at 35 mph or less, how much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist going your way?
- A At least 2 feet
- B At least 6 feet
- C At least 3 feet
- D No set distance, just enough to clear the bike
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C. At least 3 feet
South Dakota law requires at least three feet between your vehicle (including mirrors) and a bicycle you pass when the limit is 35 mph or less, and six feet when the limit is higher. Violating the law is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
You are passing a bicyclist on a highway posted at 55 mph. What does South Dakota law require?
- A At least 6 feet of space, and you may partly cross the center line if safe
- B A light tap of the horn, then pass at any distance
- C At least 6 feet, but you may never cross the center line
- D At least 3 feet of space, staying in your lane
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A. At least 6 feet of space, and you may partly cross the center line if safe
Above 35 mph the law requires at least six feet of separation. To give that space, you may partially cross the center line or lane line if it can be done safely, and you must keep the gap until safely past.
How much of the lane is a motorcyclist entitled to?
- A Only the right side of the lane
- B Half a lane, so a car can share it
- C Only the shoulder when traffic is heavy
- D A full lane width
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D. A full lane width
Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width and do not share the lane. The rider needs space to react to traffic and to avoid hazards such as potholes, gravel and wet pavement.
A motorcycle ahead has its turn signal flashing. What should you assume?
- A It will definitely turn at the next corner
- B It may not be turning, since its signal may not self-cancel
- C It is signalling you to pass
- D It is about to stop on the shoulder
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B. It may not be turning, since its signal may not self-cancel
Do not assume a motorcycle is turning just because its signal is flashing. Motorcycle turn signals may not self-cancel, and the rider may have forgotten to turn it off. Wait until you are sure before you proceed.