South Dakota Permit Test — Frequently Asked Questions

The South Dakota DPS knowledge test has 25 questions. You need to answer at least 20 correctly (80%) to pass. There is no time limit. You have 3 attempts per fee paid within a 6-month period — after 3 failures, the $28 fee must be repaid.

In South Dakota, a BAC of 0.08% or higher is considered DWI for drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 21 face Zero Tolerance — a BAC of 0.02% to 0.08% results in a 30-day license loss (first offense) or 180-day loss (second offense). Commercial drivers face a 0.04% limit. Even under 0.08%, you can still be convicted if impaired.

A first DWI (0.08%+) in South Dakota is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Penalties include a fine of $300–$1,000, up to 1 year imprisonment, and license suspension or revocation for 90–365 days. You must file SR22 proof of insurance with the state and maintain it for 3 years from the eligibility date. The license reinstatement fee is $75. A second DWI conviction carries a $125 reinstatement fee; a third or subsequent DWI carries $175.

Under South Dakota's implied consent law, you give consent to a chemical test (breath, blood, or urine) whenever you drive on a public highway. Refusing to take a BAC test when asked by a police officer results in a 1-year license loss. The implied consent law applies to the state where you are arrested, not where you got your license.

Accumulating 15 points in any 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months, triggers a license suspension. First suspension: 60 days. Second suspension: 6 months. Subsequent suspensions: 1 year. DWI carries 10 points and requires mandatory revocation. Reckless driving is 8 points. Eluding/drag racing are 6 each. Failure to yield and improper passing are 4 each. Stop sign/light violations are 3. Other moving violations are 2 points. Points from out-of-state convictions are assessed the same as South Dakota convictions.

You can apply for an Instruction Permit at age 14 by passing vision and knowledge tests. You must hold the permit for 275 days before upgrading — or 180 days if you successfully complete an approved driver education course (scoring 80% or better on both written and driving portions). After meeting permit requirements, you can apply for a Restricted Minor's Permit. A full Operator's License requires being at least 16 years old.

With a Restricted Minor's Permit, you may drive alone from 6 AM to 10 PM with parent/guardian permission. Between 10 PM and 6 AM, a parent or legal guardian must sit beside you — unless you are traveling directly to or from school/school event, church/church event, work, or driving farm machinery. No passengers are allowed except immediate family members or household members for the first 6 months. Permit holders may not use any wireless communication device while driving.

A regular Driver's License or Instruction Permit costs $28. This fee covers up to 3 test attempts within a 6-month period. Address changes, name changes, or replacement licenses cost $15. Drivers under 21 with 5 or fewer years until their 21st birthday receive a prorated fee.

Any operator transporting a child under 5 years old must secure the child in an approved child passenger restraint system. If the child is under 5 but weighs at least 40 pounds, securing them with a seatbelt alone satisfies the requirement. Children age 12 and younger should sit in the rear seat to avoid air bag injury. All operators, front-seat passengers, and anyone under 18 must wear seatbelts at all times.

New South Dakota residents must obtain a South Dakota driver's license within 90 days of establishing residency. CDL holders must apply within 30 days. If you hold a valid out-of-state non-commercial license, no written or driving test is required for the transfer — but you must surrender your out-of-state license. Your previous state will be notified and your old credential will become invalid.