South Dakota DPS road test: what to expect

What the examiner checks

• Normal driving tasks

How it's scored

You need a score of 80% or higher to pass.

Mistakes that end the test

• Car accident on the driving test (unless the tester is not at fault)
• Poor car control
• Weaving in and out of lanes
• Failure to yield to a car or pedestrian
• Running a stop light or stop sign
• Excessive speeding
• Turning into an oncoming lane of traffic
• Driving on the wrong side of the road
• Any action that puts citizens' or the examiner's safety at risk

Your car

• Applicant furnishes a safe vehicle

After you pass

Drivers under 16 (Operator's License after 6 months on the Restricted Minor's Permit with no conviction in the prior 6 months; the restricted permit converts to an operator's license automatically at 18) get a provisional or junior license first. Its restrictions:

• 6 a.m.-10 p.m. with parent permission; 10 p.m.-6 a.m. only with parent/guardian beside, except direct routes to/from school/school event, church/church event, work, or farm work
• First 6 months: no passengers except immediate family or household members; after 6 months, one non-family passenger under 18
• No wireless communication devices
• A first traffic conviction under 16 = 30-day suspension; second = 180 days or until 16th birthday, whichever is longer

How to prepare

• Practise in the car you'll take the test in, including parking and backing up.
• Drive the kinds of roads near the test site with your supervising driver: intersections, lane changes, school zones.
• Check the car the day before: lights, signals, horn, brakes, mirrors, tires, seat belts, and current registration and insurance documents.
• On the day, signal every turn and lane change, check mirrors and blind spots visibly, and come to full stops behind the line.