South Dakota supervised driving: 50 hours, 10 at night.
Everything a South Dakota parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.
What South Dakota actually requires
- Supervised hours: 50
- Night hours: 10 (counted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time)
- Minimum permit age: 14
- Written test: 25 questions, 80% to pass
Requirements summarized from the official South Dakota driver handbook.
The South Dakota graduated licensing path
- Instruction Permit — from age 14
- Restricted Minor Permit — from age 14.25
- Full License — from age 16
South Dakota laws your teen will be tested on
South Dakota Seat Belt Law
South Dakota requires every operator and front-seat passenger to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seatbelt while the vehicle is in forward motion. The driver must ensure any front-seat passenger who is at least five years of age but younger than eighteen years of age is properly belted.
South Dakota Speed Limits
Speed limit signs show the maximum safe speed allowed or the minimum safe speed required. Drive the maximum limit only in ideal conditions, and reduce your speed for slippery roads, rain, snow, ice, or fog.
South Dakota DUI & Distracted Driving
Texting, reading texts, and social networking are prohibited, and Instruction and Restricted permit holders may not use any type of wireless communication device while driving. DWI applies at 0.08% or more BAC; if you are under 21, you can be arrested at 0.02%, and refusing a BAC test can result in losing your license for one year.
South Dakota School Bus & Pedestrian Rules
Always be prepared to yield to pedestrians, including outside crosswalks, and stop completely for a person guided by a dog or carrying a white cane. Use caution when passing a parked bus because pedestrians may run in front of it.
South Dakota Move Over & Emergency Scenes
When an emergency vehicle has its flashing lights and sirens on, yield the right-of-way by pulling to the edge of the road so it can pass. Avoid blocking intersections.
South Dakota Right-of-Way Rules
Yield to whoever reaches the intersection first; if you arrive together at an all-way stop, yield to the driver on your right. Also yield to opposing traffic when turning left and to pedestrians, bicyclists, or drivers still in the intersection.
South Dakota driving practice questions, answered
- How many supervised driving hours does South Dakota require?
- South Dakota requires 50 supervised driving hours, including 10 hours after dark.
- What counts as a night driving hour in South Dakota?
- Driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. local time counts toward the 10-hour night requirement.
- How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in South Dakota?
- A South Dakota learner's permit can be issued starting at age 14.
- How many questions are on the South Dakota written test?
- The South Dakota knowledge exam has 25 questions and requires 80% correct to pass.
- Does NextDriver Prep have South Dakota practice questions?
- Yes — 0 practice questions written from the official South Dakota driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
- How should we track the 50 hours?
- Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward South Dakota's 50 hours automatically.
- Is the South Dakota driving log free?
- Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
- Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
- No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The South Dakota licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
Start logging South Dakota hours today
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