On a road with one travel lane in each direction, an oncoming school bus displays flashing red loading lights. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop at least 15 feet away and remain stopped until the red signals are off.
On this road both directions stop for the red loading signals. The 15-foot stopping distance is a minimum, and movement waits until the red signals are no longer actuated.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-32-6, red signals on fewer than two travel lanes each direction. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
On a road with one travel lane each way, a school bus displays flashing amber loading signals as you approach. What is required?
Correct answer: Reduce to no more than 15 mph and pass cautiously, watching for a change to red.
On the stated road, amber signals require no more than 15 mph and caution. If red signals activate, the separate full-stop rule applies.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-32-6, amber signals. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A highway has two travel lanes in each direction and no physical median. A school bus across the centerline displays red loading lights. You travel in the opposite direction. Must you stop solely for those bus signals?
Correct answer: No; current law exempts opposite-direction traffic on a highway with at least two travel lanes each way.
The current statute counts travel lanes and does not require a physical barrier for this exception. Same-direction traffic must still obey the bus signals; remain alert for people.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-32-6, current opposite-direction multi-lane exception (SL 2025 ch 131). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A road has one through lane each way plus a center turn-only lane. An oncoming school bus flashes red loading lights. Does the center lane create the two-travel-lanes-each-way exemption?
Correct answer: No; turn-only lanes do not count, so you must stop at least 15 feet away.
The statute expressly excludes turn-only lanes from travel-lane counts. This road does not meet the opposite-direction exemption.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-32-6, travel-lane definition and red-signal requirement. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You approach an emergency vehicle stopped on the highway using red flashing lights. What does South Dakota's special rule require before cautiously passing when safe?
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop.
South Dakota distinguishes red signals from amber, yellow or blue signals. For the stopped red-light emergency vehicle, stop completely, then pass only with caution when safe.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-31-6.1, red signals. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
An authorized vehicle occupies the shoulder ahead with amber warning lights. Your highway has two lanes in your direction, and a lane change can be made safely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Move to the lane farthest from it at least 300 feet before reaching it and pass cautiously.
Current law expressly includes a vehicle occupying the shoulder. On the stated multi-lane highway, use the farthest lane at least 300 feet in advance and proceed with caution.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-31-6.1(1), amber/yellow/blue signals; shoulder scope (SL 2025 ch 130). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
On a two-lane highway posted 55 mph, you approach an authorized vehicle stopped with yellow warning lights. What speed does the specific rule require at least 300 feet before it?
Correct answer: No more than 35 mph, then proceed cautiously.
For the stated two-lane road, reduce by 20 mph below the posted limit at least 300 feet before the warning-light vehicle. Conditions may require an even lower safe speed.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-31-6.1(2). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
On a two-lane road posted 20 mph, you approach a stopped vehicle using authorized blue warning lights. What special approach speed applies at least 300 feet before it?
Correct answer: 5 mph.
If the posted limit is 20 mph or less, the stated two-lane warning-light rule specifies 5 mph, followed by cautious passage. It does not mean merely five mph below the limit.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-31-6.1(2), posted limit twenty or less. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Which situation requires headlights under South Dakota's ordinary lighting rule?
Correct answer: It is after sunset, or light is insufficient to discern a person 200 feet ahead.
The statute requires lighting from sunset to sunrise and when insufficient light prevents discerning a person 200 feet ahead. Do not import another state's different visibility distance.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-17-4. Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
You intend to park and leave the car, with no officer or traffic-control exception. What minimum clearance from a fire hydrant applies?
Correct answer: 15 feet.
The ordinary no-standing/no-parking zone extends 15 feet from a fire hydrant. A narrow momentary passenger exception does not authorize leaving the car there.
Source: Current South Dakota Codified Laws §32-30-6(2). Reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
A steady red arrow controls your intended right turn in South Dakota. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop and wait until the red arrow goes out and a green light or arrow permits movement.
The handbook distinguishes a red arrow from a circular red light: do not travel in the arrow's direction until the permitted indication appears.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — RED arrow. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Your light turns green while another vehicle is still crossing the intersection. What should you do?
Correct answer: Allow that vehicle to clear before proceeding.
A green signal does not clear an occupied intersection. The manual requires allowing crossing traffic to clear before proceeding.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — GREEN. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Under ordinary conditions, what minimum following-time guideline does the South Dakota manual recommend?
Correct answer: At least four seconds.
The manual recommends a four-second minimum time gap. Increase the gap for poor traction, limited visibility, heavy vehicles and other conditions that need more response time.
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. ↗
How should you check the inflation pressure for an ordinary car?
Correct answer: Use a gauge on cold tires and compare with the vehicle's recommended pressure on the door jamb or in its manual.
The handbook calls for a gauge and the vehicle's recommended cold pressure. Appearance and the tire's maximum marking are not substitutes.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 23: Check Tire Pressure with a Pressure Gauge Monthly. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
The brake pedal goes to the floor and the brakes seem abnormal before a planned trip. What should you do?
Correct answer: Have the braking system checked rather than begin the trip in an unsafe vehicle.
The manual treats unusual noise, smell or a pedal going to the floor as reasons to have a mechanic check the brakes. Do not normalize an unsafe condition.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 23: Vehicle Maintenance — braking system. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Why should you never leave a car engine running in a closed garage?
Correct answer: Exhaust gases can cause fatal poisoning.
Exhaust gases can be deadly, and some leaks are not audible. A closed garage is not a safe place to idle an engine.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 24: Vehicle Maintenance — exhaust system. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Before driving after frost or snow, how much of the glass should you clear?
Correct answer: All windows needed for a clear view, not merely a small opening in the windshield.
The handbook says to clear snow, ice and frost from all windows. Side and rear visibility matter as well as the forward view.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 24: Windshield & Windows. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Your car has airbags. What does that change about wearing the seat belt?
Correct answer: Nothing about the need to buckle up; airbags supplement belts.
Airbags and belts are designed to work together. The belt helps hold the occupant in position and continues providing restraint beyond the initial impact.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 26: Air Bags. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
How should a head restraint be adjusted according to the handbook?
Correct answer: To support the back of the head, not below ear level.
The head restraint is intended to reduce whiplash. A low setting behind the shoulders does not provide the intended head support.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 25: Adjusting Your Seat. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
Before carrying loose items in a pickup bed or on a vehicle, what should you do?
Correct answer: Secure the load so it cannot slide, fall or become airborne.
The manual emphasizes preventing material from falling or blowing into the roadway. Speed or weight alone does not secure a load.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 28: Securing Your Load. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
