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South Dakota permit test: hazards, emergencies and crashes

Visual search, downhill driving, deer, night driving, emergencies, vehicle malfunctions, crashes and reporting, work zones, winter and rural driving. 23 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key hazards, emergencies and crashes rulesShow the rules
  1. If your view is blocked, edge forward slowly so crossing drivers see your car before you pull out. (p. 48)
  2. Ideally, look at what is happening 20 to 30 seconds in front of the car. (p. 48)
  3. Use low beams in fog, snow or heavy rain, because high beams reflect back and cause glare. (p. 55)
  4. Dim your high beams whenever you come within 500 feet, about one block, of an oncoming vehicle. (p. 55)
  5. If you begin to skid, release pressure from the brake or accelerator and look where you want to go. (p. 57)
  6. Place flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle to give other drivers time to change lanes. (p. 58)
  7. Add at least one second for night driving and at least two seconds on unfamiliar roads at night. (p. 66)
  8. Never use cruise control on slippery roads. (p. 67)
  9. Take turns at narrow or single-lane bridges; generally the first driver to the bridge has the right-of-way. (p. 67)
  10. On roads posted at 35 mph or more, stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow with red or amber lights on. (p. 67)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample hazards, emergencies and crashes questions

  1. 1.Your car starts to skid. What should you do first?

    • ABrake hard
    • BTurn the wheel sharply
    • CShift into park
    • DRelease the brake or accelerator
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Release the brake or accelerator

    If you begin to skid, release pressure from the brake or accelerator and look where you want to go.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 57

  2. 2.A person is injured in a crash but is not in danger from fire or traffic. Should you move them?

    • AYes, over to the side of the road
    • BYes, into your car to keep warm
    • CNo, moving them can worsen injuries
    • DOnly if they ask you to move them
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. No, moving them can worsen injuries

    Don't move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or in immediate danger of being hit, because moving them can worsen injuries.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 59

  3. 3.You are about to be hit from the rear. What should you do?

    • AUnbuckle so you can get out quickly
    • BPress back with head on the head restraint
    • CTurn sideways and brace on the door
    • DLean forward toward the steering wheel
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Press back with head on the head restraint

    If hit from the rear, press against the seat back with your head on the head restraint, and be ready to brake.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 59

  4. 4.You are driving at night in thick fog. Which headlights should you use?

    • ALow beams
    • BHigh beams with flashers
    • CHigh beams
    • DParking lights only
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Low beams

    Use low beams in fog, snow or heavy rain, because high beams reflect back and cause glare.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 55