When parallel parking beside a curb in South Dakota, how far from the curb may the vehicle be?
Correct answer: No more than 12 inches.
Park parallel to the curb and within 12 inches, facing the direction of traffic in that lane.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 44: Parallel Parking. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
After a minor collision with no injuries, both vehicles can be moved safely but are blocking traffic. What does the manual direct?
Correct answer: Move them off the road, then handle the required exchange and reporting.
For a minor noninjury crash, move safely out of traffic when the vehicles are movable. Moving them does not end the drivers' duties to exchange information and report as required.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 59: Crashes — Stop. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A vehicle is following your car much too closely. What is the safer response?
Correct answer: Allow it to pass when you can do so safely instead of braking to punish the driver.
Move right when a lane is available, or gradually reduce speed. Never brake sharply to punish a tailgater.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 52: Being Followed. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You are preparing an ordinary right turn in a passenger car. What should you avoid?
Correct answer: Swinging left into another lane before turning right.
A wide left swing before a right turn can confuse other road users and create a collision. Prepare from the proper lane and position.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 38: Right turns. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You want to turn left across an approaching vehicle's path at an intersection without a protected turn signal. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield and wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic.
A left-turning driver yields to oncoming traffic that presents a conflict. A turn signal announces intent; it does not grant priority.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 38: Left turns. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You are waiting at a roundabout entrance and a vehicle is circulating across your intended path. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a safe gap and yield before entering.
Traffic entering a roundabout yields to vehicles already circulating and to pedestrians. Enter only when there is a safe gap.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 40: Roundabouts — entering. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You are approaching your exit while circulating in a roundabout. Which signal should communicate your departure?
Correct answer: The right-turn signal.
Signal right for the exit, watch the crosswalk and be ready to stop for pedestrians.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 40: Roundabouts — exiting. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Power steering stops assisting while you are driving. What should you do?
Correct answer: Grip the wheel firmly, slow down and ease onto the shoulder.
The steering becomes harder, so maintain a firm grip and reduce speed. Move out of traffic under control.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 58: Power Failure. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
What blood-alcohol concentration meets South Dakota's per-se alcohol prohibition for an ordinary adult car driver?
Correct answer: 0.08% or more.
The ordinary per-se threshold is 0.08%. Impairment can still violate the law below that number; it is not a safe-drinking target.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-23-1(1)–(4). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Which alcohol concentration triggers South Dakota's separate under-21 driving prohibition?
Correct answer: 0.02% or more.
South Dakota's under-21 provision uses 0.02%. It is distinct from the ordinary adult per-se threshold.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-23-21(1). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
An adult driver is stopped temporarily at a red light and opens a social-media feed. Is that outside South Dakota's driving-device prohibition merely because the car is stopped?
Correct answer: No; a traffic-light stop still counts as operating, and accessing social media is prohibited.
The definition includes temporary stops caused by traffic or traffic controls. The separate social-network rule prohibits accessing, reading or posting while operating.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §§32-26-46(2) and 32-26-47.2. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A driver on a one-way street wants to turn left on red into another one-way street. Which statement accurately describes South Dakota's local-option rule?
Correct answer: A municipality may authorize that movement by ordinance; do not assume it is allowed everywhere.
The statute lets municipalities authorize a stopped, yielding left turn from one one-way roadway onto another. It is not a blanket statewide permission.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-28-4.1. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
While moving, how far before a right or left turn must the required signal be given continuously?
Correct answer: At least the last 100 feet before the turn.
The statutory minimum is continuous signaling during at least the last 100 feet traveled before a turn. Still check that the turn can be made safely.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-26-18.1. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A roadway is marked as a no-passing zone. Does a clear gap by itself make a U-turn lawful there under South Dakota's rule?
Correct answer: No; the U-turn restriction includes marked no-passing zones.
The current statute forbids U-turns in marked no-passing zones as well as where unsafe or interfering with traffic. A gap does not cancel that restriction.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-26-25. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A left-turning car is slowing ahead. May you drive off the pavement onto the shoulder to pass it on the right?
Correct answer: No; the right-pass permission does not authorize leaving the pavement or main-traveled roadway.
South Dakota allows certain safe right passes, but not by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion. Wait if no lawful space is available.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §§32-26-27 and 32-26-28. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Another driver is safely passing you on the left. What must you avoid?
Correct answer: Increasing speed before the passing vehicle has completely passed.
A driver being overtaken must not increase speed until completely passed. Do not turn the maneuver into a race.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-26-31. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
On a two-lane highway with one lane each way and a posted 65 mph limit, you safely pass a vehicle traveling below 65 mph. What narrow speed-limit allowance does South Dakota provide during that pass?
Correct answer: The limit is increased by 10 mph while the statutory passing conditions are met.
The ten-mph allowance applies only to overtaking a below-limit vehicle on the specified two-lane road posted at least 65. Other passing and safe-speed duties still apply; it is not a general cruising allowance.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-25-28(1)–(4). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
In a South Dakota urban area that has not been otherwise zoned or posted for speed, what is the statutory maximum?
Correct answer: 25 mph.
The default maximum for the specified unposted urban area is 25 mph. Posted controls and conditions requiring a lower safe speed still matter.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-25-12. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You pass a bicycle on a road posted 35 mph. What minimum clearance does South Dakota require, including your right-side mirror or other projection?
Correct answer: Three feet.
The minimum is three feet where the posted limit is 35 mph or less. It is measured from the vehicle's right-side projections and must be maintained throughout the pass.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-26-26.1. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The posted limit is 45 mph, though you are currently driving slower. What minimum bicycle-passing clearance applies?
Correct answer: Six feet.
The six-foot requirement depends on a posted limit greater than 35 mph, not merely the passing car's actual speed. Wait until that clearance can be provided safely.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-26-26.1. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
