South Dakota driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from South Dakota Driver License Manual and, where the manual is silent, the South Dakota Codified Laws: Chapter 32-3: Title Registration, Liens and Transfers, Chapter 32-5: Annual Registration and License Plates, Chapter 32-12: Driver Licenses and Permits, Chapter 32-14: Traffic Regulation Generally, Chapter 32-15: Vehicle and Accessory Specifications, Chapter 32-17: Vehicle Lights and Flares, Chapter 32-18: Brakes and Brake Fluid, Chapter 32-19: Wheels, Tires, and Special Vehicles, Chapter 32-20: Motorcycle Regulation, Chapter 32-20B: Bicycle Regulation, Chapter 32-21: Motor Vehicle Inspection, Chapter 32-22: Weight, Size and Load Restrictions, Chapter 32-23: Driving Under the Influence, Chapter 32-24: Reckless and Unsafe Driving, Chapter 32-25: Speed Regulation, Chapter 32-26: Rules of the Road, Chapter 32-27: Pedestrians' Rights and Duties, Chapter 32-28: Traffic Control Devices, Chapter 32-29: Required Stops, Chapter 32-30: Stopping and Parking Restrictions, Chapter 32-31: Emergency Vehicles, Chapter 32-32: School Buses, Chapter 32-33: Apprehension and Prosecution of Violators, Chapter 32-34: Accidents and Accident Reports, Chapter 32-35: Financial Responsibility of Vehicle Owners and Operators, Chapter 32-37: Child Passenger Restraint System, Chapter 32-38: Safety Belt System Usage in Passenger Vehicles, Chapter 35-1, Section 35-1-9.1: Consumption or possession of alcoholic beverage in vehicle, Chapter 35-9, Section 35-9-2: Purchase, possession, or consumption by person under twenty-one, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
(2) Within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant;
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-30-6(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
(3) Within twenty feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-30-6(3)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
(4) Within thirty feet upon the approach to any flashing signals, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway;
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-30-6(4)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
(1) Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-30-6.2(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
(5) Within twenty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five feet of said entrance when properly signposted;
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-30-6(5)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
When a parallel park is finished, the vehicle should be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the road. A car left far from the curb sticks into the lane where a passing car can clip it.
When the maneuver is finished, the vehicle should be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the road, and at least 2 feet away from the parked vehicles.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
You must stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing or its stop arm extended. Children getting off the bus often cross in front of it, out of sight of passing cars.
You must always stop for a school bus that has its red lights flashing or its stop arm extended at all times unless the roadway is separated by a physical barrier.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
South Dakota requires every driver approaching a stopped emergency vehicle showing red lights, from any direction, to come to a complete stop before reaching it. Officers and medics work on foot beside a stopped emergency vehicle, and a car rolling past can hit them.
South Dakota law requires all motorists from any direction approaching an authorized emergency vehicle making use of red visual signals, to come to a complete stop before reaching the stopped emergency vehicle and may, unless otherwise directed, proceed with caution only after making sure it is safe to do so.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
It is a Class 2 misdemeanor for the driver of any vehicle other than one on official business to follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet or to drive into or park such vehicle within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-31-7
As of 8 Oct 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Dim your high beams whenever you come within 500 feet, about one block, of an oncoming vehicle. High beams in an oncoming driver's eyes can blind them, and they drift across the line into you.
Dim the high beams whenever you come within 500 feet (about a one block distance) of an oncoming vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
In South Dakota, it is illegal to drive or to be a front-seat passenger without wearing a seat belt. An unbelted body keeps flying forward in a crash until the windshield or dashboard stops it.
In South Dakota, it is illegal to drive or to be a front-seat passenger without wearing seatbelts.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
Under SDCL 32-37-1, any operator transporting a child under 5 years of age must secure the child in a child passenger restraint system according to its manufacturer’s instructions. A small child held only by an adult belt slides out of it and is thrown in a crash.
Any operator of any passenger vehicle transporting a child under five years of age on the streets and highways of this state shall properly secure the child in a child passenger restraint system according to its manufacturer's instructions.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% (0.02% if under 21) or more is evidence that you were driving under the influence of alcohol. At that level your eyes, hands and judgment are slowed enough to miss a stopped car.
A Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.08% (0.02% if under 21 years of age) or more is evidence that you were driving under the influence of alcohol.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
Zero tolerance laws mean no alcohol in the circulatory system; in South Dakota a driver under 21 can be arrested for alcohol impairment at 0.02% BAC. A young driver who thinks one beer is fine is still over the line and can lose the license.
In South Dakota, if you are under 21, you can also be arrested for alcohol impairment at 0.02%.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
You can lose your driver license for 1 year if you refuse to take a BAC test. Refusing the test does not save the license; it costs a full year off the road.
You can lose your driver’s license for one year if you refuse to take a BAC test.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor. This section does not apply to:
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-26-47.1
As of 8 Oct 2026
May you text while driving?
In South Dakota, texting, reading texts and social networking while driving is prohibited by state law. Eyes on a phone for a few seconds at highway speed cross a whole football field blind.
Texting, reading texts, and social networking is prohibited by state law.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
All drivers must signal when turning or changing lanes, at least 100 feet from an intersection. A driver who flicks the signal at the corner gives the car behind no time to slow, and it rear-ends you.
At least 100 feet from an intersection.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
You may turn right on a steady red light after coming to a complete stop, if it is safe and no sign prohibits turning on red. A rolling right on red catches the walker who stepped off the curb as you looked left.
If you are turning right, you may turn after coming to a complete stop if it is safe to do so and if there is no sign prohibiting turning on a red light.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
The governing body of a municipality may authorize by ordinance, adopted pursuant to chapter 9-19, a motor vehicle to make a left-hand turn from an intersection after stopping in obedience to a red or stop signal as defined in § 32-28-4. This left-hand turn may only be authorized for a motor vehicle which has stopped in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available on a one-way roadway and intends to turn on to a one-way roadway in which the direction of traffic is moving to the left of the motor vehicle. In addition such turns may only be made after yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians or other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection. A violation of such restrictions is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-28-4.1
As of 8 Oct 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
Do not make a U-turn on a curve or near the crest of a hill on an undivided highway where other drivers cannot see your vehicle within 500 feet. A car coming over the hill finds you sideways across both lanes with no time to stop.
Upon a curve or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade on any undivided highway where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle with 500 feet approaching from any direction.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
In urban areas which are not zoned or posted as provided in § 32-25-7, the maximum lawful speed shall be twenty-five miles per hour. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-25-12
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
When passing a school during a school recess or while children are going to or leaving school during the opening or closing hours, the maximum lawful speed shall be fifteen miles per hour. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-25-14
As of 8 Oct 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event may such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-26-28
As of 8 Oct 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
To obtain an instruction permit you must be at least 14 years of age and pass the vision and knowledge tests. A new driver who cannot read signs or see far enough is a danger even with an adult beside them.
To obtain an Instruction Permit, you must be at least 14 years of age and pass the vision and knowledge tests.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
A minor aged 14 to 17 must hold the instruction permit continuously for 275 days before upgrading to a restricted minor's permit or operator's license. New drivers crash most in their first months, so the long wait keeps an adult in the seat while mistakes are common.
Minors at least 14 years of age, but less than 18 years of age, must hold the valid permit continuously for 275 days (180 days if successful completion [score of 80% or better on both written and driving portions of driver education] of an approved Department of Education driver education course) prior to upgrading the permit to a Restricted Minor’s Permit or Operator’s License.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
An instruction permit holder under 18 must drive under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian, or another adult with a valid driver's license and at least one year of driving experience. A helper who barely knows how to drive cannot warn a beginner about the truck or the ice ahead.
The adult must be a parent/legal guardian or other adult with a valid driver’s license and at least one year of driving experience.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. a restricted minor's permit holder must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian in the seat beside the driver. In the dark a beginner misjudges curves and deer, and a parent beside them can call it out in time.
During the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is occupying the seat beside the driver.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first alcohol conviction may bring a fine of $300 to $1,000 plus court costs. A single drunk drive can wipe out months of savings before any crash is even counted.
If you are found guilty of an alcohol violation and it is your first conviction, you may be fined from $300 to $1,000 plus court costs.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long can you be jailed for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DWI offense (0.08% BAC or more) is a Class 1 misdemeanor punished by a fine, imprisonment up to one year, or both. A first drunk-driving arrest is already a crime that can put you in jail for a year.
First offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine, imprisonment up to one year, or both.
As of 14 Sep 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
Any person convicted of a first offense pursuant to § 32-23-1 with a 0.17 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the person's blood shall, in addition to the penalties provided in § 32-23-2, be required to undergo a court-ordered evaluation by an addiction counselor licensed or certified by the Board of Addiction and Prevention Professionals pursuant to § 36-34-13.1 or a licensed or certified health care professional with specialized training in chemical dependency evaluation to determine if the defendant is chemically dependent. The cost of such evaluation shall be paid by the defendant. The recommendations of the evaluation shall be provided to the referring judge.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-23-2.1
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
Any operator who accumulates 15 points in any 12 consecutive months is subject to a driver license suspension. A driver piling up tickets is heading for a crash, and the point limit takes them off the road first.
Any operator who accumulates 15 points in any 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months, is subject to a driver license suspension.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
No person under eighteen years of age may operate or ride upon a motorcycle on the public streets or highways of this state unless the person wears a protective helmet of a type meeting Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 as in effect on January 1, 1984. No person may operate a motorcycle with any person under the age of eighteen as a passenger if the passenger is not wearing a protective helmet. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-20-4
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
No motor vehicle may have rear windows that reduce light transmission below 20%, with an enforcement tolerance of 9%. Rear glass too dark to see through blinds the driver when backing up or checking behind.
No motor vehicle may be equipped with one-way glass, adhesive film, or other glaze in the rear windows that reduces light transmission below 20%, with an enforcement tolerance of 9%.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
When passing a bicycle going the same way where the posted limit is 35 mph or less, leave at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the bicycle. A car brushing past a rider can clip the handlebars or push the bike over with its wind.
The driver of any motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction shall allow a minimum of a three foot separation between the right side of the driver's vehicle, including any mirror or other projection, and the left side of the bicycle if the posted limit is thirty-five miles per hour or less and shall allow a minimum of six feet separation if the posted limit is greater than thirty-five miles per hour.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
If driving slower than other traffic on a multi-lane road, use the right-most lane; if you are slowing others down, pull to the side when safe and let them pass. A slow car in the left lane makes faster drivers weave around it, and that is where crashes happen.
If driving more slowly than other traffic on a multi-lane road, drive in the right most travel lane.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
An owner's policy of liability insurance referred to in § 32-35-68 shall insure the person named therein and any other person as insured, using any insured vehicle or vehicles with the express or implied permission of the named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the vehicle or vehicles within the United States of America or the Dominion of Canada, subject to limits exclusive of interests and costs, with respect to each insured vehicle, as follows: twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to the limit for one person, fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident. If the policy complies with the filing and form requirements of Title 58 and has been approved by the Division of Insurance, the driver and owner has complied with this chapter. The policy may exclude liability coverage if the policyholder certifies in writing that the vehicle will not be operated during the policy period. The policy may exclude or limit coverage pursuant to § 58-11-9.3, or for a relative residing in the named insured's household. Policies issued after January 1, 1987, and owners who have purchased such policies are in compliance with this chapter. Date of compliance does not affect any pending litigation.
South Dakota law, SDCL § 32-35-70
As of 8 Oct 2026
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