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South Dakota permit test: backing and parking

Backing up, no-parking zones, and perpendicular, angle and parallel parking. 10 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

Study this topic as flashcards

Rules to remember9 key backing and parking rulesShow the rules
  1. Check behind the vehicle before getting in, because children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat. (p. 30)
  2. When backing, steer slightly in the direction you want the rear of the vehicle to move, and keep your speed slow. (p. 30)
  3. On a rural highway, leave at least 15 feet of road for others to pass and be visible for at least 500 feet each way. (p. 43)
  4. A car parked on a rural highway must leave a 15-foot or wider strip of road so others can get by. (p. 43)
  5. Facing uphill with a curb, turn the wheels sharply left; with no curb or facing downhill, turn them sharply right. (p. 43)
  6. Get out on the curb side if possible; if not, check for traffic before opening the street-side door and close it quickly. (p. 43)
  7. In cold weather you may leave the parking brake off, but still leave the car in park or the lowest gear. (p. 43)
  8. After parallel parking, the vehicle should be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the road. (p. 44)
  9. Stop even with the car in the space ahead and about 2 feet away from it before backing in. (p. 44)

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

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Sample backing and parking questions

  1. 1.When you get out of a car parked on a street, which side should you use if possible?

    • AThe street side
    • BThe curb side
    • CEither side
    • DWhichever side is closer to your seat
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. The curb side

    Get out on the curb side if possible; if not, check for traffic before opening the street-side door and close it quickly.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 43

  2. 2.When starting to parallel park, how far from the car in the space ahead should you stop?

    • AAbout 6 inches
    • BAbout 1 foot
    • CAbout 2 feet
    • DAbout 5 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. About 2 feet

    Stop even with the car in the space ahead and about 2 feet away from it before backing in.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 44

  3. 3.Why should you check behind your car before getting in to back up?

    • ATo make sure the trunk is shut tight
    • BKids and small things can't be seen from your seat
    • CTo check the air pressure in the rear tires
    • DTo wipe dirt off the rear window first
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Kids and small things can't be seen from your seat

    Check behind the vehicle before getting in, because children and small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 30

  4. 4.You park on a rural highway shoulder. How far must your car be visible in each direction?

    • A200 feet
    • B500 feet
    • C1,000 feet
    • D100 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. 500 feet

    On a rural highway, leave at least 15 feet of road for others to pass and be visible for at least 500 feet each way.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 43