South Dakota DPS Knowledge Test & Permit Practice – 2026

This is a regulatory No U-turn sign. Anytime you see a sign bearing a red circle with a slash mark across a black arrow (or another symbol), it means do not do whatever is shown by the arrow (or other symbol). On this sign, the message is that you must not make a U-turn.

Snowplows are wide. They often need to operate very close to the center line. Sometimes they throw up clouds of snow, which affects vision. Slow down and give them as much room as possible. On roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or more, the law requires drivers to stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow when its red or amber lights are on.

When getting into your car, make certain the seat is adjusted properly for your comfort and safety. Adjust your mirrors. Always fasten your safety belt and shoulder harness if you have one. Make sure they are both firm and comfortable to you. The head restraint on newer cars is an important safety addition. It should be in a correct position so that in the event someone runs into your vehicle from the rear your chances of a neck injury are cut down considerably.

Before turning, check traffic behind and in front of you. Make sure that no one is trying to pass you. Yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

Yellow lines mark the center of a road used for traffic going in opposite directions. Dashed or broken yellow lines mean that passing is allowed from either direction if safe.

Blind spots are areas where your view is obstructed. You cannot see pedestrians or other vehicles in the rearview or side mirrors when they are in these locations. Adjust outside mirrors to reduce blind spots and to provide maximum visibility to the sides and rear of the vehicle. Check a blind spot by looking over your shoulder.

Chevron sign. A sharp change in the direction of the road is at the sign.

Blind pedestrians have special protection under the law. You must always yield the right-of-way to persons who are visually impaired. When a pedestrian is crossing a street guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, you must come to a complete stop.

Yellow is used for general warnings of specific road conditions and dangers ahead.

Do not assume a motorcycle is turning when you see its turn signal flashing. Motorcycle turn signals may not self-cancel and the motorcyclist may have forgotten to turn them off. Wait to be sure the rider is going to turn before you proceed.

• Take a penny and hold Abraham Lincoln’s body between your thumb and forefinger.
• Select a point on your tire where the tread appears the lowest and place Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves.
• If any part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the legal and safe amount of tread. If your tread gets below that (approximately 2/32 of an inch), your car’s ability to grip the road in adverse conditions is greatly reduced.

South Dakota has an implied consent law. The implied consent law is based on the principle that when you get your driver’s license, you have implicitly consented to a lawfully requested test to determine the alcohol content of your blood, breath, or urine if suspected of impaired driving. You can lose your driver’s license or driving privileges if you refuse to take a BAC test.

A yield sign is a downward pointing triangle. It is red and white with red letters. You will see no other signs of this shape on the highway.

The sign means you are approaching an intersection where you must yield to any lanes you intend to enter or cross approaching from the right or left.

Remember, it is your responsibility to slow down, look to the right or left and yield to oncoming traffic. The yield sign is also found at railroad crossings without signals where you must yield to approaching trains.

Always set the parking brake when you park. Shut off the engine. Never leave the ignition key in a parked vehicle. It is a good habit to lock the doors whenever exiting the vehicle. Check for traffic behind you before you get out.

Skids are caused when you are traveling too fast for the road conditions, when you stop suddenly, or when the tires can no longer grip the roadway. When you begin to skid, you have little control of your vehicle. If your vehicle begins to skid:

• Release pressure from the brake or accelerator.
• Look where you want to go and steer the vehicle in the direction you want to go.

No-zones are areas around large trucks and buses where cars cannot be seen. These blind spots are found on the sides, rear, and front of a large vehicle. Crashes are more likely to occur in those areas.

If you are involved in an accident with a parked vehicle, you must try to locate the owner. If you cannot, contact the nearest law enforcement agency and leave a note in a place where it can be seen with information on how the owner can reach you and the date and time of the accident.

When you approach a railroad crossing, you should slow down, look, and listen for a train or railroad vehicle, and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching. The white, X-shaped sign with Railroad Crossing printed on it is located at all highway-railroad grade crossings. The crossbuck sign has the same meaning as a yield sign. When a train or railroad vehicle is approaching the intersection, you must stop behind the stop line or before the intersection until the intersection is clear.

Use your high beams whenever there are no oncoming vehicles. High beams let you see twice as far as low beams. It is important to use high beams on unfamiliar roads, in construction areas or where there may be people along the side of the road.

Dim your lights when necessary. Do not use high beams in fog or when it is snowing or raining hard.

If you are going to stop or slow down at a place where another driver does not expect it, tap your brake pedal three or four times quickly to let those behind you know you are about to slow down. You can also use the hand signal when slowing. Never stop on the road, unless necessary for safety or to obey a law.

A steady green arrow means you are given the right-of-way and can safely turn in the direction of the arrow. There should be no oncoming or crossing traffic while the arrow is green.

A fluorescent or reflective orange and red triangle displayed on the rear of a vehicle means the vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph. Use caution when approaching a slow-moving vehicle, and be sure it is safe before you pass.

The sign warns of a roundabout or traffic circle ahead.

Follow these steps to back a vehicle up safely:

• Check behind the vehicle before you get in it. Children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver’s seat.
• Place your foot on the brake and shift to reverse.
• Grasp the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position with your left hand.
• Place your right arm on the back of the passenger seat to the right and look directly through the rear window.
• Occasionally check your mirrors when backing up but keep in mind that these mirrors do not show the area immediately behind your vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with a rearview camera, occasionally check it while backing up.
• Accelerate gently and smoothly, keeping your speed slow. Your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing up.

Most drivers will eventually find themselves in an emergency situation. As careful as you are, there are situations that could cause a problem for you. If you are prepared, you may be able to prevent any serious outcomes. All drivers have the responsibility to do all they can to prevent collisions. You have three options to avoid a collision or to reduce its impact. These options are braking, steering, or accelerating.