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South Dakota permit test: safe driver habits

Vision, hearing, fatigue, distractions, aggressive driving, emotions, seatbelts, air bags, child passenger safety and enforcement stops. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
  1. Always wear required lenses while driving, keep a spare pair in the vehicle and avoid dark or tinted lenses at night. (p. 18)
  2. Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep to stay properly alert during the day. (p. 18)
  3. To fight fatigue, plan to stop about every 100 miles or 2 hours. (p. 18)
  4. An unrestricted license requires 20/40 or better with both eyes, and no worse than 20/50 in either eye. (p. 18)
  5. If you start feeling tired, stop at the next exit or rest area for a 15 to 20-minute nap or find a place to sleep. (p. 19)
  6. Texting, reading texts and social networking while driving are prohibited by state law. (p. 19)
  7. Aggressive driving includes speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, improper signaling and ignoring traffic controls. (p. 19)
  8. Keep 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel so the air bag has room to deploy. (p. 25)
  9. Children aged 12 and younger should sit in the rear seat to avoid injury from an air bag in a crash. (p. 26)
  10. The driver must make sure any front-seat passenger aged at least 5 but under 18 wears a properly fastened seatbelt. (p. 26)

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

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Sample safe driver habits questions

  1. 1.Which is prohibited by South Dakota state law for all drivers?

    • AEating a snack while driving
    • BTexting or reading texts while driving
    • CListening to the radio
    • DTalking with passengers
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Texting or reading texts while driving

    Texting, reading texts and social networking while driving are prohibited by state law.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 19

  2. 2.To get a South Dakota license with no vision restriction, what must you score with both eyes together?

    • A20/70 or better
    • B20/50 or better
    • C20/40 or better
    • D20/20 or better
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. 20/40 or better

    An unrestricted license requires 20/40 or better with both eyes, and no worse than 20/50 in either eye.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 18

  3. 3.An officer signals you to pull over. How should you first acknowledge them?

    • AWave out the window
    • BFlash your headlights
    • CStop at once in your lane
    • DTurn on your right turn signal
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Turn on your right turn signal

    Turn on your right turn signal to show the officer you see them, then move to the right shoulder.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 46

  4. 4.Where should a child aged 12 or younger sit?

    • AOn an adult's lap
    • BIn any seat with a belt
    • CIn the rear seat
    • DIn the front seat to be watched
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. In the rear seat

    Children aged 12 and younger should sit in the rear seat to avoid injury from an air bag in a crash.

    Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (English) (REVISED 11/2024), page 26