South Dakota DPS practice tests 2026
Get ready for the South Dakota written knowledge tests: numbered practice tests that follow the official South Dakota format, with 129 questions on South Dakota law, from teen licensing and speed limits to alcohol limits and insurance, plus the road rules that apply everywhere.
Choose your South Dakota test
Car
The written knowledge test for a learner permit or a Class D driver license.
Motorcycle
The written test for a Class M license or motorcycle endorsement.
CDL
The general knowledge test every commercial driver license applicant takes.
Handbook
The official South Dakota driver, motorcycle and CDL handbooks every test is based on.
All South Dakota practice tests
South Dakota Permit Practice Tests
South Dakota Motorcycle Practice Tests
South Dakota CDL General Knowledge Practice Tests
How to pass the South Dakota knowledge test
- Read the handbook. Every question comes from the official South Dakota manuals; the handbook page links to the agency's own copies.
- Practice test by test. Each numbered test mixes South Dakota law with the national road rules, like the real exam.
- Read every explanation. Especially for answers you got right by guessing.
- Simulate the real exam on the category page when you pass the tests comfortably.
South Dakota written test format
| Test | Questions | Pass mark | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car | 25 | 20 correct (5 mistakes allowed) | 14 years |
| Motorcycle | 25 | 20 correct (5 mistakes allowed) | 14 years |
| CDL | 50 | 40 correct (10 mistakes allowed) | 18 years |
Car. DPS states the knowledge test must be passed with a score of 80 percent or higher. DPS does not publish the number of items on the operator knowledge test; 25 items are used here because they split exactly at the confirmed 80 percent threshold.
Motorcycle. A motorcycle instruction permit requires the vision test and the motorcycle knowledge test. DPS states the same 80 percent passing score; the item count is not published.
CDL. DPS requires CDL applicants to be at least 18. Federal rule 49 CFR 383.135 sets the 80 percent passing score for CDL knowledge tests; DPS does not publish the number of items on the South Dakota general knowledge test.
What the South Dakota questions cover
| Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
| Licensing and permits | 20 |
| Graduated licensing for teen drivers | 17 |
| Speed limits | 12 |
| Alcohol limits and DUI | 12 |
| Penalties and points | 16 |
| Phone use and distraction | 8 |
| Insurance requirements | 9 |
| Move over law | 7 |
| Other state rules | 28 |
Sources and accuracy
The South Dakota facts on this site were checked against these official sources on August 28, 2026. Test formats that the DPS does not publish are marked as such in the notes above.
- sd.gov/dps?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0043733
- sd.gov/dps?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0043731
- sd.gov/dps?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0043683
- sd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=d8e0b08e47bd0390a497127ba26d4348
- sd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=2b8b8dfa47406e10237fbd51026d435d
- sd.gov/sys_attachment.do?sys_id=23918bfc4727e61022dc4080236d433f
- dor.sd.gov/individuals/motor-vehicle/all-vehicles-title-fees-registration/
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12-11
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12-11.1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12-12
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12-12.5
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12-49.1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12-49.2
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12A-4
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12A-6
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-20-2
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-20-4
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-20-4.1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-20-6.1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-20-9.3
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-20-9.5
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-23-1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-23-11
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-23-21
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-25-4
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-25-9.2
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-26-47.1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-31-6.1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-32-6
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-35-70
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-37-1
- sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-38-1
DMV Exam Test is not affiliated with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program. To book a test, pay fees or check your license, use the official DPS website.