South Dakota DMV Driver's License Knowledge Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which statement best describes how marijuana affects driving in South Dakota?

Marijuana impairs reaction time and judgment, and driving under its influence is illegal (Correct answer)
Marijuana has no measurable effect on driving ability
Only smoking marijuana while driving is prohibited; prior use is not an issue
Marijuana is legal recreationally in SD so it cannot result in a DUI

Correct answer: Marijuana impairs reaction time and judgment, and driving under its influence is illegal

Marijuana impairs the cognitive and motor skills needed to drive safely, and South Dakota law prohibits driving while impaired by marijuana regardless of its legal status for other uses.

Question 2: What is the proper technique for driving on icy roads in South Dakota?

Drive at normal speed with extra caution
Use cruise control for steady speed
Reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid sudden movements (Correct answer)
Follow other vehicles closely for guidance

Correct answer: Reduce speed, increase following distance, and avoid sudden movements

On icy roads, significantly reduce speed, greatly increase following distance, and make all steering, braking, and acceleration inputs very gradually.

Question 3: In South Dakota, what does a green arrow signal mean?

Oncoming traffic is completely stopped
Only turning traffic may proceed
You may proceed in the direction of the arrow after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection (Correct answer)
You have absolute right-of-way

Correct answer: You may proceed in the direction of the arrow after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection

A green arrow indicates you may proceed in the direction shown, but you must still yield to traffic and pedestrians already lawfully in the intersection.

Question 4: What does a flashing yellow signal indicate at an intersection in South Dakota?

The signal is malfunctioning
Proceed with caution (Correct answer)
Yield to all traffic
Stop and wait for green

Correct answer: Proceed with caution

A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution, being alert for cross traffic and pedestrians.

Question 5: If a South Dakota driver under 21 is found with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.07%, the penalty typically includes:

No penalty — it is below the adult limit
Immediate felony charges
A 30-day license suspension and possible fines (Correct answer)
Mandatory prison sentence of 6 months

Correct answer: A 30-day license suspension and possible fines

Under South Dakota's Zero Tolerance Law, an underage driver with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.07% faces a 30-day license suspension and other administrative penalties.

Question 6: Under South Dakota's point system, how many points on your driving record within 12 months will result in a license suspension?

15 points
12 points (Correct answer)
10 points
22 points

Correct answer: 12 points

Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months will result in a South Dakota driver license suspension.

Question 7: What does an orange diamond sign reading "ROAD WORK AHEAD" mean in South Dakota?

Permanent road feature
Optional detour available
Road conditions are poor
Construction or maintenance zone ahead requiring reduced speed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Construction or maintenance zone ahead requiring reduced speed

Orange signs warn of construction and work zones where workers and equipment may be present, requiring drivers to slow down and use caution.

Question 8: What should you do if your brakes fail while driving in South Dakota?

Turn off the engine immediately
Close your eyes and hold on
Shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, use the parking brake, and look for a safe area (Correct answer)
Open the door and jump out

Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, use the parking brake, and look for a safe area

If brakes fail, try pumping them to build pressure, downshift for engine braking, gradually apply the parking brake, and steer toward a safe stopping area.

Question 9: Which form is used in South Dakota to apply for a certificate of title for a vehicle?

Form SD-MV-608
Form TR-1
Form MVD-5000
Form MV-001 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Form MV-001

South Dakota Form MV-001 is the Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration used to apply for a certificate of title.

Question 10: What does a round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR indicate in South Dakota?

Road repair ahead
Rest area ahead
Railroad crossing ahead (Correct answer)
Roundabout ahead

Correct answer: Railroad crossing ahead

This advance warning sign alerts drivers that a railroad crossing is ahead, giving them time to prepare to stop if a train is approaching.

Question 11: In South Dakota, what should you do when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and sirens?

Pull to the left shoulder
Pull to the right side of the road and stop (Correct answer)
Speed up to get out of the way
Stop wherever you are

Correct answer: Pull to the right side of the road and stop

South Dakota law requires drivers to pull to the right edge of the road and stop to allow emergency vehicles to pass safely.

Question 12: In South Dakota, what is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for non-commercial drivers age 21 and older?

0.10%
0.06%
0.04%
0.08% (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 0.08%

South Dakota law sets the legal BAC limit at 0.08% for drivers age 21 and older operating non-commercial vehicles.

Question 13: What is the primary document required to register a vehicle in South Dakota?

Proof of insurance
Vehicle title (Correct answer)
Driver’s license
Proof of residence

Correct answer: Vehicle title

The primary document required to register a vehicle in South Dakota is the vehicle title. The title serves as legal proof of ownership, which is essential for the state to properly record the vehicle's owner and issue registration. Without a valid title, a vehicle cannot be legally registered in the owner's name.

Question 14: What is the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers 21 and over in South Dakota?

0.10%
0.05%
0.08% (Correct answer)
0.02%

Correct answer: 0.08%

South Dakota sets the legal BAC limit at 0.08% for drivers aged 21 and older, consistent with the national standard.

Question 15: After a DUI conviction in South Dakota, a driver may be required to install which device on their vehicle?

An ignition interlock device (Correct answer)
A speed limiter
A GPS tracking unit
A dashboard camera

Correct answer: An ignition interlock device

South Dakota courts may require DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device, which prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver's breath.

Question 16: In South Dakota, when must you turn on your headlights?

Only on highways
Only after midnight
Only during heavy rain
From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is reduced (Correct answer)

Correct answer: From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is reduced

South Dakota requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is reduced by weather conditions such as rain, fog, or snow.

Question 17: What shape and color is a yield sign in South Dakota?

Green rectangle
Downward-pointing red and white triangle (Correct answer)
Red octagon
Yellow diamond

Correct answer: Downward-pointing red and white triangle

Yield signs are shaped as downward-pointing triangles with red and white coloring, requiring drivers to slow down and give way to traffic.

Question 18: What happens to your South Dakota vehicle registration if you move to a different county within the state?

Your current registration remains valid until expiration (Correct answer)
You must pay a transfer fee within 15 days
You must immediately re-register in the new county
You must notify the DMV within 10 days

Correct answer: Your current registration remains valid until expiration

Your existing South Dakota registration remains valid until its expiration date even if you move to another county.

Question 19: When driving in fog in South Dakota, which headlight setting should you use?

Hazard lights only
Parking lights only
Low beams (Correct answer)
High beams

Correct answer: Low beams

Low beams should be used in fog because high beams reflect off fog particles and create glare that actually reduces visibility.

Question 20: What is the school zone speed limit in South Dakota?

35 mph
10 mph
30 mph
15 mph when children are present (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15 mph when children are present

The speed limit in South Dakota school zones is 15 mph when children are present, unless a different speed is posted.

Question 21: When driving at night in South Dakota, when should you dim your high beams?

Never, high beams should always be used at night
Only when the other driver flashes their lights
When within 1 mile of another vehicle
When within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or 300 feet when following another vehicle (Correct answer)

Correct answer: When within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or 300 feet when following another vehicle

Dim high beams when approaching oncoming traffic or following another vehicle to prevent blinding other drivers and reducing visibility.

Question 22: In South Dakota, what does a pennant-shaped sign on the left side of the road indicate?

Merge area
Construction zone
No passing zone begins (Correct answer)
School zone ahead

Correct answer: No passing zone begins

A pennant-shaped sign placed on the left side of the road marks the beginning of a no passing zone.

Question 23: What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a deer silhouette indicate on South Dakota roads?

Hunting zone
Wildlife sanctuary
Zoo ahead
Deer crossing area ahead (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Deer crossing area ahead

This warning sign alerts drivers that deer frequently cross the road in this area, requiring extra vigilance especially at dawn and dusk.

Question 24: What does a blue rectangular sign with a gas pump symbol indicate on South Dakota highways?

Gas prices are posted ahead
No fuel for the next 50 miles
Gas station available at the next exit (Correct answer)
Electric vehicle charging station

Correct answer: Gas station available at the next exit

Blue motorist services signs indicate that gas stations, food, lodging, or other services are available at the next exit.

Question 25: What should you do if your vehicle begins to hydroplane on a wet South Dakota road?

Accelerate through the water
Brake hard immediately
Turn sharply to the side of the road
Ease off the gas and steer straight without braking hard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Ease off the gas and steer straight without braking hard

When hydroplaning, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer straight. The tires need to regain contact with the road surface.

South Dakota DMV Driver's License Knowledge Test

The South Dakota DMV Knowledge Test assesses a driver's knowledge of traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and state vehicle regulations. Applicants must correctly answer 20 of 25 questions to pass and obtain a South Dakota driver's license.

Questions

30 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
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No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds