Before moving into another interstate lane, what should you do?
Correct answer: Check mirrors and the blind spot, signal and change lanes only when the space is clear.
A vehicle may be outside your mirrors’ view. Look for that hidden traffic before beginning the move; signaling does not grant priority.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 45: Changing Lanes. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Why should you avoid lingering alongside a tractor-trailer while passing?
Correct answer: You may remain in the other driver’s blind spot and limit space to avoid a conflict.
A car lingering beside a truck can remain in its blind spot and restrict the truck driver’s ability to evade a hazard. Complete a permitted pass safely rather than remaining alongside.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 63: Sharing the Road — Large Trucks and Buses. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A narrow road and oncoming traffic leave no room for a safe bicycle pass. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow and wait behind the cyclist until you can pass with adequate clearance.
Wait for safe space rather than squeezing through. A delayed pass is better than endangering the cyclist or oncoming traffic.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 46: Passing Bicyclists. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A cold medicine’s directions warn that it may cause drowsiness. What should you do if it affects your alertness?
Correct answer: Do not drive while the medicine impairs your alertness.
Even ordinary cold medicines can impair driving. Read the directions and do not drive while drowsy or otherwise unable to operate safely.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 21: Medicines. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
All traffic signals at an ordinary intersection are dark. No officer or temporary control directs traffic. How must you treat the intersection?
Correct answer: Treat it as an all-way stop, then proceed under the normal yielding rules.
At an ordinary intersection facing a completely unlighted traffic signal, stop as at a stop sign, then yield and proceed only when safe.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — out of operation. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The car’s right wheels leave the pavement. What is the handbook’s initial recovery sequence?
Correct answer: Hold the wheel firmly, reduce speed, check traffic and return gradually when safe.
A panicked immediate turn can send the car across the road. Stabilize the vehicle and reduce speed before gradually returning to the driving lane.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 57: Uneven Surface Drop-Offs. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
An approaching motorcycle has its turn signal on, but its actual intended movement is not yet clear. Should you pull from your driveway in front of it?
Correct answer: No; wait until its actual movement and a safe gap make entry safe.
A motorcycle’s narrow profile makes speed and distance harder to judge. Wait until the intended movement and a safe gap are clear.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 62: Motorcycles. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Water covers the road ahead, but it looks shallow. What is the safer decision?
Correct answer: Turn around and find another route rather than enter the flooded road.
Floodwater can cause you to lose control or stall the engine. Do not enter a flooded roadway just because the water looks shallow.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 50: Flooded Roadways. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A truck swings left to prepare for a right turn. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Trying to squeeze between the truck and the right curb.
The truck may need a wider path, and its driver may not see a car alongside. Do not enter the space needed to finish the turn.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 63: Large Trucks and Buses — wide turns. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A motorcycle is riding in the same direction as your car. The lane seems wide enough for both. May you pass it within that same lane?
Correct answer: No; allow the rider the full lane and use a safe lawful passing movement.
A motorcycle needs lane space to maneuver around hazards. Do not treat its smaller width as an invitation to share its lane.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 62: Motorcycles — full lane. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You miss your interstate exit. What should you do?
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit and find a lawful route back.
Do not cross the expressway median or make a sudden turn to recover a missed exit. Use the next exit and a lawful route back.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 42: General Rules of Highway/Interstate Driving. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
After a crash, which information should the involved drivers exchange according to the handbook?
Correct answer: Names and addresses, driver-license and registration information, and insurance information.
The handbook calls for exchanging driver, vehicle and insurance identification. Photographs or a repair estimate do not replace that information.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 60: Exchange Information. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The main pavement looks clear, but the temperature is near freezing. Why should you be cautious on bridges and shaded areas?
Correct answer: Bridges and shaded areas can be icy when the rest of the road is clear.
Bridges and shady spots freeze first and can remain icy after other pavement clears. Reduce speed and avoid abrupt steering or braking.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 67: Winter Driving. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A tire blows out while you are moving. Which response follows South Dakota's guidance?
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, slow gradually and pull off the road.
Keep control of the steering and reduce speed gradually. Once you can do so safely, move off the road.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 58: Tire Blowout. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The circular signal changes from green to steady yellow before you reach the intersection. You can stop safely before entering. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop rather than accelerate into the intersection.
Stop before entering on steady yellow if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, proceed carefully through.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — steady YELLOW. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Traffic is flowing normally as you leave a freeway on an exit ramp. When does South Dakota's manual tell you to begin slowing to the ramp's advisory speed?
Correct answer: After leaving the freeway and entering the exit ramp.
Signal in advance, maintain speed until off the freeway, then slow on the ramp. Do not abruptly slow the through lane.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 45: Exiting a Multi-Lane Highway. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Rain reduces traction and visibility. How should you adjust the space behind the vehicle ahead?
Correct answer: Increase the following gap and reduce speed as needed.
Poor conditions call for more time and space to respond. The question does not impose a single fixed interval for every condition.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 51: Space Management — following distance. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A car in the next lane has stopped at a crosswalk. You cannot see why. What must you do?
Correct answer: Do not pass the stopped car; stop and check for a pedestrian hidden from view.
A stopped vehicle can hide a pedestrian. The handbook tells drivers to be alert when passing a stopped vehicle, stop for people crossing, and yield rather than enter their path.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 61: Pedestrians. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You approach a slow farm vehicle on a rural road. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: A faster closing rate than expected; slow early and pass only when safe.
Farm equipment and other slow vehicles may be much slower than surrounding traffic. Reduce speed early instead of arriving close behind it before deciding what to do.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 65: Slow Moving Vehicles. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Fog seriously reduces your view of the road. Which headlight setting does the manual recommend?
Correct answer: Low beams.
Use low beams in fog and other poor weather. High beams can reflect back and make the view worse.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 66: Weather Conditions — fog. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
