Free South Dakota Permit Practice Test 3 (2026)
Real questions from the official South Dakota driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 9
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 3
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 2
- Adverse Conditions — 1
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Safe Driving — 1
- Signaling & Communication — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (9 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
Every question here applies nationwide.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. On a one-way street, you may turn left on red into another one-way street that moves left, after:
- Honking
- Only with an arrow
- Never
- Stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it
Show answer
Answer: Stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it
Left-on-red from a one-way onto a one-way is allowed after stopping, unless posted otherwise.
2. Before changing lanes you should communicate your intent by:
- Honking
- Flashing high beams
- Speeding up
- Signaling early, then checking mirrors and your blind spot
Show answer
Answer: Signaling early, then checking mirrors and your blind spot
Signal first so others know your intent, then check mirrors and blind spot before moving.
3. Illegal drugs and marijuana affect driving by:
- Having no effect if you feel fine
- Only affecting vision
- Impairing coordination, reaction, and judgment
- Improving focus
Show answer
Answer: Impairing coordination, reaction, and judgment
Drugs impair the skills you need to drive safely — you can be charged with DUI for drug impairment.
4. What does this sign warn of?
- A stop sign ahead
- A store ahead
- A toll ahead
- A dead end
Show answer
Answer: A stop sign ahead
A stop-ahead warning means a stop sign is coming up; slow down and prepare to stop.
5. A steady red light means:
- Yield
- Slow down
- Come to a complete stop
- Proceed with caution
Show answer
Answer: Come to a complete stop
A steady red means stop fully and remain until it turns green (right-on-red after stopping unless posted).
6. A lane with a steady red 'X' signal above it means:
- Do not drive in that lane
- Passing lane
- The lane is open
- HOV only
Show answer
Answer: Do not drive in that lane
A red X over a lane means it is closed — do not drive in it.
7. When stopped behind another car in traffic, you should leave enough space to:
- See its rear tires and pull out around it if needed
- Save room for others
- Read its plate
- Touch bumpers
Show answer
Answer: See its rear tires and pull out around it if needed
Leave enough gap to see the tires touching the road — room to maneuver if needed.
8. What does this sign warn of?
- A truck stop
- A bump
- A steep downgrade (hill) ahead
- A parking garage
Show answer
Answer: A steep downgrade (hill) ahead
This warns of a steep hill/downgrade ahead — control your speed and gear.
9. A white sign reading 'TRUCKS USE RIGHT LANE' means:
- Trucks must stay in the right lane
- No trucks at night
- Trucks are banned
- Cars use right lane
Show answer
Answer: Trucks must stay in the right lane
This regulatory sign requires trucks to keep to the right lane.
10. A blind pedestrian pulls in their cane and steps back from the curb. This may mean:
- They want you to go
- Honk
- Speed up
- You should still proceed with caution and be ready to yield
Show answer
Answer: You should still proceed with caution and be ready to yield
Never assume; proceed carefully and be ready to yield to a pedestrian who may still cross.
11. When two lanes must merge in heavy traffic, drivers should:
- Take turns ('zipper' merge) — alternate one by one
- Block the other lane
- Stop and wait
- Race for the gap
Show answer
Answer: Take turns ('zipper' merge) — alternate one by one
Alternate like a zipper — one car from each lane at a time keeps traffic flowing safely.
12. An orange diamond reading REDUCED SPEED AHEAD tells you to:
- Turn around
- Stop and park
- Speed up
- Reduce your speed for the work zone ahead
Show answer
Answer: Reduce your speed for the work zone ahead
Orange reduced-speed signs mean slow down for the upcoming work zone.
13. When a bicyclist signals a left turn with an outstretched arm, you should:
- Ignore it
- Honk
- Give them room to move over and turn
- Pass on the left
Show answer
Answer: Give them room to move over and turn
Respect a cyclist's hand signal and give them room to maneuver.
14. A pedestrian is in a crosswalk as you approach. You must:
- Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
- Proceed if you get there first
- Honk so they hurry
- Only stop if a signal tells you to
Show answer
Answer: Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
15. A stop sign is the only sign shaped as a(n):
- Pentagon
- Circle
- Diamond
- Octagon
Show answer
Answer: Octagon
Only the stop sign is an octagon.
16. Give a large truck extra space because it:
- Is slow
- Needs more room to stop and turn and has big blind spots
- Uses fuel
- Is loud
Show answer
Answer: Needs more room to stop and turn and has big blind spots
Trucks need more stopping and turning room and have large No-Zones.
17. What does this sign warn of?
- Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
- One-way street
- Merging traffic
- Passing lane
Show answer
Answer: Divided highway ends / two-way traffic
Opposing arrows warn of two-way traffic ahead (e.g., a divided highway ending). Keep right.
18. If your car begins to hydroplane, you should:
- Ease off the gas and steer straight until traction returns
- Accelerate
- Brake hard
- Turn sharply
Show answer
Answer: Ease off the gas and steer straight until traction returns
Ease off the accelerator, keep the wheel steady, and avoid hard braking until the tires grip again.
19. May you drive onto the shoulder or off the pavement to pass?
- Only to pass a bicycle
- No — never pass by driving off the paved roadway
- Yes, if it is wide
- Yes, on the right only
Show answer
Answer: No — never pass by driving off the paved roadway
Never leave the paved road surface to pass — it is illegal and dangerous.
20. A 'NO PARKING' sign with an arrow means no parking:
- For trucks only
- Everywhere
- In the direction the arrow points
- Only at night
Show answer
Answer: In the direction the arrow points
The arrow shows the direction in which parking is prohibited.