South Dakota Permit Practice Test 2026: knowledge test
Free South Dakota permit practice test, also searched as South Dakota driving test practice (the written test, not the road test): official facts from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, questions written from the official South Dakota Driver License Manual.
- 25 questions, commonly reported
- 80% pass mark
- $38 fee, Instruction permit
- 14 minimum age
- Facts checked October 13, 2026
- Tests 1–2 free, no sign-up
Free practice tests
Practice test 1
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Practice test 2
Practice tests 3–10
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South Dakota road signs test: free practice with 20 sign questions.
Every test has the same length and pass mark, shown on each card. Each answer comes with its handbook reference. Each test has 19 national rules-and-signs questions and 6 South Dakota-specific questions. Tests 1–2 are free; your best score is saved in this browser. The United States pass unlocks every United States test. Have a code? Open practice test 3 to enter it.
Practice format (commonly reported): The South Dakota Department of Public Safety does not publish the number of questions; the test is commonly reported as 25 questions with 20 correct (80%) to pass, and our practice tests use that format.
Official facts from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety
| Official exam name | Knowledge test(instruction permit) |
|---|---|
| Run by | South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver Licensing Program official page |
| Number of questions | Not published by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety |
| Breakdown | rules of the road and safe-driving practices |
| Pass mark | 80% |
| Time limit | None published by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety |
| Fee | $38 — Instruction permitInstruction permit $38.00: DPS fees page 'Instruction Permit $38'; manual 'Regular Driver License or Instruction Permit (upgrade, new, renewal, or transfer from out-of-state) ... $38.00'; teen pamphlet (effective 7/1/2025) 'Pay a fee of $38.00.' The fee covers testing: 'For testing purposes, the fee allows you three attempts to pass a test within a 6-month period. After 3 attempts, or 6-months, the fee must be paid again. (SDCL 32-12-2)'. Card payments at the exam station carry 'An administrative fee of $2.00 or 2.95% (whichever is greater)'. Restricted Minor's Permit $38. |
| Minimum age | 14 |
| Where to book | South Dakota Department of Public Safety test booking and locations (official site) |
You need 80% to pass the South Dakota knowledge test (instruction permit), per the South Dakota Department of Public Safety; questions come from the official South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024).
Source: South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver Licensing Program official pages, checked October 13, 2026.
ID, retakes and booking
| ID and documents | Teen page: 'To be eligible to get your instruction permit, you must be 14 years of age'; documents 'include a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate, applicant's original social security card, and two pieces of mail proving the applicant's physical address'. Teen pamphlet: 'Your parent or guardian must sign giving consent, either in person at a driver exam station or by completing a Parental Consent Form (notarized)'; the mail 'can be in your name or your parent's name'; hospital birth certificates are not accepted. Manual: 'DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS (photocopies are not acceptable)'; parent/guardian consent 'if under the age of 18 (required for every application completed)'; completed application form. Vision test at the exam station. The knowledge test is waived with an approved driver education certificate from the last year. |
|---|---|
| Retake | DPS testing page and manual: 'If you fail any of the tests, you may not re-test before the next working day.' Cheating: 'you will not be allowed to re-test the following day, you will be required to wait a minimum of two weeks before being allowed to test again' (manual). |
| Attempts | 'You are allowed three opportunities to test for each fee paid within a six-month period' (DPS testing page); manual: 'After 3 failures in a 6-month period, the fee will need to be repaid.' Teen pamphlet: 'The knowledge test will be waived if you present a driver's ed certificate proving you passed an approved driver education course (or approved equivalent out-of-state course) within the last year.' Instruction permit valid five years; under-18s hold it 275 days (180 with driver education) before the Restricted Minor's Permit. |
| Languages | No list of knowledge-test languages found on DPS pages. DPS publishes the Driver's License Manual in English and Spanish ('you can find the manual in English or Spanish') and an English and a Spanish application form. 'We do not provide pre-tests or sample tests.' A state resource directory listing (not a DPS page) says Spanish interpretation is offered for the written test; not used as a fact. |
| Road signs | US traffic signs, signals and pavement markings as shown in the South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024). No separate sign test is described. |
| Handbook | South Dakota Driver License Manual — Revised 11/2024 (printed 'REVISED 11/2024' on p. 71; PDF modified 30 Jun 2026) read the handbook |
| Facts last checked | October 13, 2026 |
South Dakota road signs test
US traffic signs, signals and pavement markings as shown in the South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024). No separate sign test is described. Practice them in the free South Dakota road signs test or browse the United States sign library.
South Dakota knowledge test: common questions
How many questions are on the South Dakota permit test?
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety does not publish the number of questions; the test is commonly reported as 25 questions with 20 correct (80%) to pass, and our practice tests use that format.
What is the pass mark for the South Dakota permit test?
You need 80% to pass, per the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Our practice tests mark 20 of 25 (80%), the commonly reported format.
Is the South Dakota permit test hard?
You need 20 of 25 (80%) to pass, so in the commonly reported 25-question format you can get at most 5 wrong. The best preparation is to study the official South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024) and take practice tests until you pass them comfortably.
How much does the South Dakota permit test cost?
$38 — Instruction permit, per the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Is there a free South Dakota permit practice test for 2026?
Yes. This site has 2 free South Dakota knowledge test practice tests for 2026, each with 25 questions and the commonly reported pass mark of 20 of 25 (80%), plus a free road-sign quiz.
More South Dakota knowledge test questions: time limit, retakes, age and ID
Nearby tests
Official handbook
Knowledge test questions come from the official South Dakota Driver License Manual. Read the South Dakota Driver License Manual on the official site.
Last updated October 13, 2026. Facts checked against South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver Licensing Program official pages. This site is independent and is not run by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.