South Dakota DPS Practice Tests

Driving can afford wonderful freedom—but only if you can prove you’re responsible.

In order to legally drive in South Dakota, you must pass a number of tests that show the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) that you can handle a vehicle and follow the rules of the road.

Still, the process looks slightly different, depending on your age and the type of vehicle you want to drive.

South Dakota License (Under Age 18)

South Dakota employs something called a Graduated Driver License (GDL) system for anyone applying for a first-time license under age 18.

You’ll be able to begin the process once you turn 14 years old.

Instruction Permit

The first step toward earning your license in South Dakota is earning your instruction permit. To do so, you’ll have to pass the SD written exam.

You can achieve this step by either:

• Testing directly with the DPS.
• Passing a state-approved Driver’s Education course.

No matter which option you choose, you’ll have to schedule an appointment with the DPS, and:

• Bring acceptable proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota residency.
• Bring your Driver’s Ed completion certificate, if applicable.
• Pass the:
  • Written exam.
    • Will be waived if you have a Driver’s Ed certificate.
  • Vision test.
• Pay the application fee.

Your parent or guardian will also have to be with you to sign paperwork on your behalf.

Once the paperwork is filed, tests passed, and fee paid, you’ll be issued your learner’s permit.

SD Instruction Permit Restrictions and Requirements

Your SD instruction permit comes with some restrictions, including:

• No driving unless accompanied by an adult with:
  • A full driver’s license.
  • At least 1 year of driving experience.
• No use of any electronic devices whatsoever while driving.

Before you can move on to the next step, you’ll also have to:

• Practice on your instruction permit for either:
  • 6 months, if you passed a state-approved Driver’s Ed course.
  • 9 months, if you didn’t take the course.
• Log at least 50 hours of practice with a parent or guardian.

At this point, you’ll be ready for the next step: the South Dakota restricted minor’s permit.

Restricted Minor’s Permit

The next step in South Dakota’s GDL process is earning your restricted minor’s permit. Make sure you’ve completed all the above steps before you apply.

The final step in the process is taking and passing your driving test. Schedule an appointment with any South Dakota Driver Exam Stations, and bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• Your valid SD instruction permit.
• Log of behind-the-wheel practice hours.
• Driver’s Ed course completion certificate, if applicable.
• The appropriate fee.

A parent or legal guardian must also be with you to sign paperwork on your behalf.

Once you pass the test, the exam center will give you a sealed envelope with your results. Take this to any SD DPS office, and bring a parent or legal guardian with you, in order to receive your license.

SD Restricted Minor’s Permit Restrictions and Requirements

Your restricted minor’s permit isn’t the final step in the process. As the name suggests, it still comes with some restrictions, including:

• No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. UNLESS:
  • Accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
  • Driving to or home from:
    • School.
    • Church.
    • Work.
• No passengers other than immediate family for the first 6 months.

You’ll have to practice with the document for at least 6 months before you can upgrade to your full license.

Driver’s License

After practicing for at least 6 months on your restricted minor’s permit, you’ll be able to upgrade to your full, unrestricted license.

To do so, visit any DS DPS office, and bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• Your valid SD restricted minor’s permit.
• The appropriate fee.

The office should then issue your full license. Congratulations!

Driver’s License (Age 18+)

If you’re applying for a first-time driver’s license in South Dakota and you’re 18 or older, the process is a bit more streamlined.

Written Exam

To start, you’ll have to visit the DPS in order to pass:

• The written knowledge test.
• A vision test.

To do so, schedule an appointment with your closest participating DPS office, and make sure to bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• The appropriate fee.

After passing the exam and paying the fee, you’ll be able to schedule your driving exam.

In the meantime, you may only drive while accompanied by someone with their full license who’s had their license for at least 1 year.

Road Skills Exam

To earn your full license, you’ll have to take the road skills exam. There’s no required waiting period to take this test in South Dakota.

Schedule an appointment with any SD Driver Exam Stations, and bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• Your valid instruction permit.
• The appropriate fee.

Make sure to show up to the appointment with a fully-licensed driver who’s had their license for at least 1 year. The vehicle you test in will also need current and valid:

• Liability insurance.
• Registration.

Once you pass the test, the exam center will give you a sealed envelope with your results. Take this to any SD DPS office, and bring a parent or legal guardian with you, in order to receive your license.

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to South Dakota!

If you’re new to the state, you’ll have to transfer your license within 90 days of establishing residency. Luckily, the process is pretty easy.

Simply visit your closest participating Department of Public Safety office and bring:

• Your current, valid license.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• The appropriate fee.

If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian will also have to be there to sign paperwork on your behalf.

All transfer applicants will also have to pass a vision test in order to complete the process. And if your license is expired, you may also have to take the written and driving exams.

Once all of the above credentials have been met, you’ll be issued your new South Dakota license. Congratulations!

To legally drive a motorcycle in South Dakota, you have to be at least 16 years old.

At the end of the process, you’ll be issued a separate license to drive a motorcycle, or you can add an endorsement to your current driver’s license.

South Dakota Motorcycle Permit

The first step toward earning your South Dakota motorcycle license is to earn your South Dakota motorcycle permit.

To get your motorcycle permit in South Dakota, you’ll have to pass:

• The motorcycle written knowledge test.
• A vision test.

Schedule an appointment with a participating Department of Public Safety office and bring:

• Your current, valid SD driver’s license.
• A completed driver’s license application.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• The appropriate fees.

If you don’t currently have at least an instruction permit, you will also have to take and pass the written test for driving a regular vehicle.

After the tests have been passed, the paperwork filed, and the fee paid, you’ll be issued your permit.

SD Motorcycle Permit Restrictions and Requirements

While practicing on your permit, there are a few restrictions. You will NOT be able to ride:

• Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Unless accompanied by a fully licensed motorcyclist who’s:
  • At least 18 years old.
  • Had their motorcycle license at least 1 year.
• With any passengers.

There’s no required waiting period to take your rider test, but your permit is valid for 1 year.

SD Motorcycle License

After practicing enough on your permit to feel comfortable, it’s time to get your motorcycle license. The final step is passing a riding test with the DPS.

To take it, schedule an appointment with your closest participating DPS office. Make sure to bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Legal presence in the United States.
  • Full name.
  • Date of birth.
  • South Dakota residency.
• Your current, valid motorcycle permit.
• The testing fee.

After passing the test, you’ll be issued either your motorcycle license or have an endorsement added to your current license. Congratulations!

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) will allow you to drive much larger vehicles than the average car. Before you can start the process, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Already have a valid South Dakota license.
• Be cleared by a federally-approved doctor or receive a medical waiver.

Once the above is complete, you can begin the CDL process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first step toward getting your commercial driver’s license is getting your commercial learner’s permit (CLP). The process involves passing:

• The written knowledge test.
• A vision exam.

To get started, visit your closest DPS office and bring:

• Your current, valid SD driver’s license.
• A completed medical self-certification form/waiver.
• A completed driver’s license application.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • South Dakota address.
  • Legal presence in the United States.
• The appropriate fees.

After the paperwork is filed, the fee paid and the tests passed, you’ll be issued your CLP.

CLP Restrictions and Requirements

You must hold your South Dakota commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days before you can take the road test.

While practicing on your permit, you are also required to drive with a CDL-holder who’s at least 21 years old.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

To turn your CLP into a CDL, you’ll have to pass the driving skills exam. In South Dakota, these are conducted by certified third party testers.

At your appointment, make sure to bring:

• Your current, valid CLP.
• Your current, valid driver’s license.

You must arrive to this appointment with a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old. The vehicle you test in must also have current and valid:

• Insurance.
• Registration.

After passing the test, you’ll need to return to a DPS office and:

• Turn in your test results.
• Pay the CDL fee.

At that point, you’ll be issued your commercial driver’s license.