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

Question 1: In South Dakota, when is it legal to make a right turn on red?

After stopping completely and yielding to all traffic and pedestrians, unless a sign prohibits it (Correct answer)
At any time without stopping
Only at intersections with a green arrow
It is never legal

Correct answer: After stopping completely and yielding to all traffic and pedestrians, unless a sign prohibits it

Right turns on red are permitted in South Dakota after a complete stop and yielding to cross traffic and pedestrians, provided no sign prohibits it.

Question 2: What are the seat belt requirements in South Dakota?

Seat belts are optional for all adults
No seat belt law exists
Only drivers must wear seat belts
Secondary enforcement (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Secondary enforcement

South Dakota's seat belt law requires occupants to be properly restrained while the vehicle is in motion.

Question 3: When driving in fog in South Dakota, which headlight setting should you use?

Parking lights only
Low beams (Correct answer)
Hazard lights only
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 4: What is the BAC limit for commercial vehicle drivers in South Dakota?

0.04% (Correct answer)
0.02%
0.06%
0.08%

Correct answer: 0.04%

Commercial vehicle drivers in South Dakota are held to a stricter standard of 0.04% BAC, half the limit for regular drivers.

Question 5: What is the proper technique for driving on icy roads in South Dakota?

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

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

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

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.

Question 7: What does a round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR indicate in South Dakota?

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

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 8: In South Dakota, what does a white rectangular sign with "SPEED LIMIT" and a number indicate?

The suggested speed
The minimum speed required
The average traffic speed
The maximum legal speed under ideal conditions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The maximum legal speed under ideal conditions

White rectangular regulatory signs display the maximum speed allowed. Drivers must not exceed this limit under normal conditions.

Question 9: If you refuse a chemical test when lawfully requested by an officer in South Dakota, your driver's license will be:

Revoked for 1 year (Correct answer)
Fined $100 only
Given a warning
Suspended for 30 days

Correct answer: Revoked for 1 year

Refusing a lawfully requested chemical test in South Dakota results in a mandatory one-year license revocation under the implied consent law.

Question 10: How does fatigue interact with even a small amount of alcohol while driving?

Fatigue cancels the effects of alcohol
Alcohol counteracts drowsiness, reducing overall impairment
Fatigue combined with alcohol severely amplifies impairment (Correct answer)
There is no known interaction between fatigue and alcohol

Correct answer: Fatigue combined with alcohol severely amplifies impairment

Fatigue and alcohol have a compounding effect, making impairment far worse than either would cause alone and dramatically increasing crash risk.

Question 11: What should you do if your brakes fail while driving in South Dakota?

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
Turn off the engine immediately
Close your eyes and hold on

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 12: Which South Dakota county office handles vehicle registration?

County Treasurer's Office (Correct answer)
County Assessor's Office
County Clerk's Office
County Sheriff's Office

Correct answer: County Treasurer's Office

Vehicle registration in South Dakota is handled by the County Treasurer's Office in the county where you reside.

Question 13: What is the recommended following distance under normal conditions in South Dakota?

At least 3 seconds (Correct answer)
1 second
2 car lengths
5 seconds

Correct answer: At least 3 seconds

A minimum 3-second following distance provides adequate stopping room under normal driving conditions. This should be increased in adverse conditions.

Question 14: Under South Dakota law, a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above which level is presumed to be under the influence?

.06%
.08% (Correct answer)
.10%
.04%

Correct answer: .08%

A BAC of .08% or higher creates a legal presumption of driving under the influence for drivers 21 and older in South Dakota.

Question 15: In South Dakota, when must you turn on your headlights?

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

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.

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

20 min

Time Limit

80%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
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