South Dakota: Licensing basics — Part 2 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Whose proof of address may be used for a minor child applying for a license?” · “What is the minimum age to obtain an Instruction Permit?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "South Dakota Driver License Manual" (Revised 11/2024), South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
All 18 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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Whose proof of address may be used for a minor child applying for a license?
- A grandparent's
- A parent's
- A neighbor's
- A teacher's
Show answer
Correct answer: A parent's
A parent's proof of address is acceptable for a minor, and the accompanying parent's name must be on the address documents.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 6
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Which applicant does NOT qualify as a full-time traveler?
- One who uses a South Dakota personal mailbox service
- One who uses a family member's address with a completed consent form
- One who stayed one night at a South Dakota campground this year
- One who maintains a residence in another state
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Correct answer: One who maintains a residence in another state
A person who keeps a residence in another state does not qualify as a full-time traveler.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 7
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A full-time traveler using a South Dakota mail forwarding address must provide a receipt from which place to prove one night of stay within the last year?
- A South Dakota fuel station or truck stop
- A South Dakota hotel/motel, campground or RV park
- A South Dakota restaurant or grocery store
- A South Dakota gym or shopping center
Show answer
Correct answer: A South Dakota hotel/motel, campground or RV park
The receipt proving one night of stay in the last year must come from a South Dakota hotel/motel, campground or RV park.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 7
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Honorably discharged veterans have the option of adding which word to the front of their South Dakota driver license or ID?
- Retired
- Service
- Honored
- Veteran
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Correct answer: Veteran
Veterans who were honorably discharged may have the word "Veteran" added to the front of their license or ID.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 7
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Male applicants in what age range must state on their application that they have registered with the Selective Service?
- 18 to 25
- 16 to 21
- 18 to 30
- 21 to 35
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Correct answer: 18 to 25
Any male applicant aged 18 to 25 must state on the application that he has registered, or authorize the Department of Public Safety to forward his information to register him.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 7
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How many times may you attempt a test within a 6-month period before you must pay again?
- Two
- Four
- Three
- Five
Show answer
Correct answer: Three
The fee covers three attempts within six months; after three attempts or six months, the fee must be paid again.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 7
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People who have accumulated child support arrearages of how much or more cannot get a South Dakota driver license?
- $1,000
- $500
- $2,500
- $5,000
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Correct answer: $1,000
Arrearages of $1,000 or more block a license, though these people may be eligible for one 6-month temporary license.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 7
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What is the minimum age to obtain an Instruction Permit?
- 12 years
- 14 years
- 15 years
- 16 years
Show answer
Correct answer: 14 years
You must be at least 14 years old to obtain an Instruction Permit.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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How long is an Instruction Permit valid?
- Two years, or until the holder reaches age 18, whichever is sooner
- Three years, or until the next birthday, whichever is sooner
- Ten years, or until the holder passes the driving test, if sooner
- Five years, or until the documents authorizing U.S. presence expire, if sooner
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Correct answer: Five years, or until the documents authorizing U.S. presence expire, if sooner
The permit is valid for five years or until the expiration date of the documents authorizing the applicant's presence in the U.S., whichever comes first.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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A minor at least 14 but under 18 must hold an Instruction Permit continuously for how many days before upgrading, if no approved driver education course was completed?
- 90 days
- 275 days
- 120 days
- 365 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 275 days
Without a completed approved driver education course, a minor must hold the permit continuously for 275 days.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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A minor who successfully completes an approved driver education course must hold the Instruction Permit continuously for how many days before upgrading?
- 90 days
- 120 days
- 225 days
- 180 days
Show answer
Correct answer: 180 days
Completing an approved driver education course shortens the continuous holding period from 275 to 180 days.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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What score is required on both the written and driving portions of driver education to qualify for the shorter Instruction Permit holding period?
- 80% or better
- 70% or better
- 75% or better
- 90% or better
Show answer
Correct answer: 80% or better
The shorter holding period requires a score of 80% or better on both the written and driving portions of the approved course.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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How much driving experience must the adult supervising an Instruction Permit holder have?
- At least six months
- At least two years
- At least one year
- At least five years
Show answer
Correct answer: At least one year
The supervising adult must hold a valid driver's license and have at least one year of driving experience.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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Where must the supervising adult sit when an Instruction Permit holder is driving?
- In the seat beside the permit holder
- In the back seat behind the driver
- Anywhere in the vehicle
- In a vehicle following closely behind
Show answer
Correct answer: In the seat beside the permit holder
The adult must be seated beside the Instruction Permit holder.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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How many hours of adult supervised driving must a minor complete on an Instruction Permit?
- 20 hours
- 30 hours
- 50 hours
- 40 hours
Show answer
Correct answer: 50 hours
A minor must complete 50 hours of adult supervised driving on an Instruction Permit.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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The supervised driving hours a minor completes on an Instruction Permit must include how many hours in inclement weather and after dark?
- 5 hours in inclement weather and 5 hours after dark
- 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark
- 10 hours in inclement weather and 20 hours after dark
- 20 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark
Show answer
Correct answer: 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark
The 50 required hours must include 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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What is required before an Instruction Permit holder over 18 can upgrade to an Operator License?
- Two years of holding the permit
- Completion of 50 hours of supervised driving
- Holding the permit for 275 days
- Successful completion of a drive test
Show answer
Correct answer: Successful completion of a drive test
An adult permit holder must successfully complete a drive test before upgrading to an Operator License.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8
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To obtain a Restricted Minor's Permit, you must not have been convicted of a traffic violation during what period before applying?
- The six months before applying
- The three months before applying
- The twelve months before applying
- The two years before applying
Show answer
Correct answer: The six months before applying
A Restricted Minor's Permit applicant must have no traffic violation conviction in the six months before applying.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8