You intend to turn right at a circular red light. No sign or officer prohibits it. What must you do first?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then yield to pedestrians and conflicting traffic before turning if safe.
South Dakota’s stated right-on-red exception requires a complete stop and yielding. Rolling through is not enough.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog-linked edition, REVISED 11/2024; printed/physical page 32: Traffic Signals — RED. Text reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗
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. ↗
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 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. ↗
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. ↗
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. ↗
