South Dakota DPS Motorcycle Practice Test 24
- Questions25
- Correct to pass20
- Passing score80%
- Minimum age14 years
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1. A flagger turns the paddle to the orange face reading SLOW. What does that tell approaching drivers?
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Answer D: Reduce speed and continue through the work area with care
The SLOW face keeps traffic moving at a reduced speed while workers or equipment are close to the travel lanes.
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2. On a South Dakota highway with multiple lanes in the driver's direction of travel, what must a driver do when approaching a vehicle stopped with amber, yellow, or blue warning lights?
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Answer D: Merge into the lane farthest from the stopped vehicle at least 300 feet before reaching it
Where multiple lanes run in the driver's direction, the law requires merging into the lane farthest from the vehicle at least 300 feet before reaching it.
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3. What is the maximum lawful speed set by South Dakota law for passing a school during recess or while children are arriving or leaving during opening or closing hours?
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Answer A: 15 miles per hour
The statute fixes the school zone speed at 15 miles per hour during recess and arrival or departure periods.
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4. Trees block the view along the tracks as a driver approaches this sign. What approach speed is correct?
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Answer B: Slow enough to stop before the nearest rail once a train comes into view
Where the view along the track is obstructed, the only safe speed is one that still leaves stopping distance after a train first becomes visible.
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5. Traffic ahead of you has stopped in your lane while the next lane is still moving. What is the first thing to do?
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Answer C: Slow down first and check the next lane before moving over
Braking is the action that keeps you from hitting the stopped traffic, and the lane change is only safe once you have looked.
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6. The traffic signal is green, but the crossing lights on the tracks inside the intersection begin to flash. What must you do?
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Answer C: Stop clear of the tracks and wait, even though the signal is green
Active crossing warning devices outrank the green indication, so you stop short of the rails and wait until the warning stops.
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7. You have just ridden through a stretch of deep standing water. What should you do next?
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Answer B: Ride slowly and apply the brakes lightly to dry them out
Wet brakes can grab or barely work at all, and gentle pressure while moving slowly heats and clears them before they are really needed.
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8. How should a rider dress for a long ride in very hot weather?
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Answer C: In ventilated riding gear that still covers the arms and legs
Mesh and vented riding gear flows air while keeping its abrasion protection and shading the skin, so heat is not a reason to ride uncovered.
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9. What does the thick foam liner inside a certified helmet actually do in a crash?
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Answer C: It crushes so the head slows down over a longer time and distance
The crushable liner is the part that absorbs energy, letting the head decelerate gradually instead of stopping instantly against a hard surface.
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10. What is the minimum lawful speed on South Dakota's interstate highways, absent a special permit?
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Answer B: 40 miles per hour
Driving an interstate highway below 40 miles per hour is a Class 2 misdemeanor unless the vehicle operates under a department-issued permit.
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11. You are approaching the entry of a roundabout and a pedestrian is crossing the marked crosswalk on your approach lane. What must you do?
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Answer D: Stop before the crosswalk and let the pedestrian cross
Roundabout crosswalks sit a short distance back from the yield line, and drivers must yield there before they ever reach the circulating lanes.
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12. Which facility does this sign direct a traveler toward?
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Answer B: A hospital offering emergency care
This is the standard marker for medical care, used to lead a traveler to a hospital where emergency treatment is available.
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13. How does alcohol typically affect a driver's vision?
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Answer D: It blurs vision, weakens night vision and narrows attention to the sides
Alcohol slows the eye muscles and the brain's processing of what is seen, degrading focus, night vision, depth perception and awareness of movement at the edges of the field of view.
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14. Why should the leader of a group check the mirrors regularly?
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Answer B: To see whether the group is still together and adjust the pace if not
The leader is the only rider who can see the whole formation, and slowing slightly is the usual way to gather a group that has strung out.
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15. Two roads come together at a shallow angle under a MERGE sign, with no yield line on either one. What is expected of you?
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Answer D: Adjust your speed and position so you blend smoothly into the other traffic
A merge means neither road ends at a stop; drivers adjust speed and position so that the two streams fit together without stopping.
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16. A large truck ahead of you in a roundabout is using part of both lanes as it goes around. What is the correct response?
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Answer B: Stay back and give it room until it leaves the roundabout
Long vehicles need extra width to get around the central island, so drivers behind must hold back rather than share the space beside them.
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17. A car is passing you on a two lane road. Which lane position is generally best while it goes by?
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Answer A: The center portion of your lane
The middle of the lane keeps distance from the passing vehicle and its mirrors while leaving room on the other side if the rider needs it.
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18. How should a rider adjust speed on an unlit road at night?
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Answer C: Slow enough to stop within the distance the headlight actually lights up
A rider can only react to what is visible, so night speed has to fit the distance the headlight reaches rather than the posted limit.
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19. How should a passenger swing their leg when getting off the motorcycle?
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Answer D: High and clear of the exhaust and the rear of the machine
A leg dragged low across the back of the motorcycle can catch the seat or the luggage and will find the hot exhaust, so it is lifted well clear.
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20. A car in the lane to your left keeps drifting toward the line between you. Which portion of your lane should you move to?
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Answer A: The right portion
Moving to the far side of your lane buys distance and time if that driver keeps coming, and it may also make the motorcycle visible to a driver who had not noticed it.
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21. Your light turns green, but a vehicle is still in the middle of the intersection. What should you do?
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Answer D: Wait until the intersection is clear before you move ahead
A green light means go only when the way is clear. Drivers already inside the intersection must be allowed to finish crossing.
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22. You reach an intersection showing a steady red light, and a stop line is painted across your lane. Where must you bring the vehicle to a complete stop?
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Answer C: Before the stop line
A steady red requires a complete stop before the marked stop line. Where there is no stop line you stop before the crosswalk, and where there is neither, before entering the intersection.
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23. Why must a rider turn the head and look before changing lanes?
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Answer A: Mirrors leave blind spots that only a direct look can cover
Motorcycles have blind spots just as cars do, and a vehicle hidden in one will not appear in the mirrors at all.
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24. Why is parking against the flow of traffic dangerous even when nobody complains?
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Answer D: Because you had to cross traffic to get there and must cross again to leave
Parking on the wrong side means driving against traffic at both ends of the stop, and your reflectors and lights face the wrong way while you are there.
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25. Why do safety agencies put head protection first among riding gear?
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Answer A: Because head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes
Head injury is the most common cause of death in motorcycle crashes, which is why a certified helmet is the single most important piece of gear.