A left-turn arrow is flashing yellow while an oncoming car approaches. What is required?
Correct answer: Yield and turn only when the path is safely clear.
A flashing yellow arrow permits a yielding, unprotected turn. It is not the same as a green protected-turn arrow.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — YELLOW flashing arrow. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You approach a flashing red traffic light. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed cautiously after yielding as required.
Flashing red requires a full stop. After stopping, use the applicable right-of-way rules and enter only when safe.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — flashing RED. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Your approach has a flashing yellow traffic light. What is the appropriate response?
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution while checking the intersection.
Flashing yellow calls for caution, not a guarantee of a clear path. It differs from flashing red’s full-stop instruction.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — flashing YELLOW. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The crossing gate is down but you cannot see a train. May you drive around it?
Correct answer: No; stay stopped until the gate is raised, lights stop flashing and the tracks are clear.
A lowered gate is not optional merely because the train is out of view. Check all tracks before proceeding after the warnings end.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 34: Railroad crossings — lights and gates. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
One train passes and begins to clear your view. Why should you keep checking the crossing instead of following it immediately?
Correct answer: Another train may be approaching on a different track.
A first train can hide another train. Wait for the warning devices to permit movement and verify that every track is clear.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 34: Railroad crossings — multiple tracks. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Rain, poor visibility and a curve make the posted speed unsafe. What should you do?
Correct answer: Reduce speed for the actual conditions, even below the posted limit.
Posted limits are intended for ideal conditions. The manual calls for lower speeds for curves, poor weather, limited visibility and other hazards.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 35: Speed Limit Signs — conditions. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A slower vehicle is ahead near a hillcrest that hides oncoming traffic. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a place with a clear view and enough room for a safe, permitted pass.
An obstructed view can conceal a vehicle in the passing path. A slow vehicle ahead does not make a blind pass safe.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 46: Passing — restricted sight distance. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You have overtaken another car. What should you verify before moving back into its lane?
Correct answer: Check that the passed car is visible in your rearview mirror and there is safe room to return.
Do not cut off the passed driver. Check the rearview mirror, allow clearance, signal and return when safe.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 46: Passing — returning to lane. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
At an intersection without stop signs or signals, another car entered before you. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the vehicle already in the intersection.
The vehicle that entered first has priority. Yield rather than creating a conflict inside the intersection.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 31: Yielding Right-of-Way. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You and a driver on your right reach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time. Your paths conflict. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the driver on your right.
Where there is no stop sign or signal, yield to traffic from your right. Continue watching for mistakes and be ready to avoid a crash.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-26-13, simultaneous intersection approach and yielding to the right. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
At an intersection with an unmarked crosswalk, a pedestrian steps into your lane. Does the absence of painted lines let you keep moving?
Correct answer: No; yield and stop for the pedestrian in your path.
The handbook requires yielding to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk, including unmarked crosswalks. A missing painted line does not remove the duty to avoid the pedestrian.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 37: Crosswalks and Stop Lines; Sharing the Road — Pedestrians, page 61. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A pedestrian using a white cane is crossing the road. Your traffic light changes to green before the person reaches the far side. What should you do?
Correct answer: Remain stopped and yield so the pedestrian can cross safely.
The manual requires stopping for a pedestrian with a white cane or guide dog. A green light does not authorize driving into the person's path.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 61: Pedestrians — white cane or guide dog. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The only open curb space is directly in front of a private driveway. May you park there and leave the car while visiting a store?
Correct answer: No; do not block the driveway.
South Dakota prohibits parking in front of a public or private driveway. The narrow momentary passenger exception does not allow leaving the car there while visiting a store.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-30-6(1), standing/parking in front of a driveway; momentary passenger exception does not cover leaving for a store. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You intend to pull from a parallel parking space into the traffic lane. What should you do?
Correct answer: Check traffic and over your shoulder, signal and yield until it is safe to enter.
The driver leaving a parking space does not have the right-of-way. A signal announces an intention; it does not create a safe gap.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 44: Parallel Parking — leaving space. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You park on the right side of a street facing uphill, with a curb. Which direction should the front wheels point?
Correct answer: Left, away from the curb.
With an uphill curb, front wheels turned away from the curb help the curb arrest a backward roll.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 43: Parking on Hills. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You park facing uphill on the right side of a road with no curb. Which way should the front wheels point?
Correct answer: Toward the right shoulder.
For uphill parking without a curb, turn the wheels toward the shoulder so a rolling vehicle is directed away from traffic.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 43: Parking on Hills. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
What is the best way to reduce the chance of hydroplaning on a rain-covered road?
Correct answer: Reduce speed so the tires have a better chance to maintain contact with the pavement.
Water can separate tires from the road. Lower speed is a basic precaution; sudden control changes and close following increase the danger.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 50: Adjusting Speed — hydroplaning. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
On a two-way street, you are already in an intersection when an emergency vehicle approaches using its warning light or siren. What should you do?
Correct answer: Clear the intersection safely, then pull close to the right edge and stop until it passes.
Yield clear of the intersection unless an officer directs otherwise. Stopping inside it can block the emergency vehicle.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-31-6, emergency vehicle using audible OR visual signals; clear intersection and stop at right edge of a two-way road. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
As you use an interstate entrance, what should you do before entering the through lane?
Correct answer: Find a safe gap, adjust speed appropriately and signal before merging.
Prepare for the merge while obeying speed controls. Enter only when the gap is safe; a signal does not force through traffic to make room.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 45: Entering a Multi-Lane Highway. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Another vehicle occupies the freeway gap you hoped to use. Who must adjust?
Correct answer: You must yield and find a safe gap before entering the through lane.
A signal states your intention but does not create a gap or right-of-way. Entering traffic must yield to traffic already on the freeway.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 45: Entering a Multi-Lane Highway. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
