South Dakota · Knowledge testThe manual, the teen rules and driver education
| Option | Price | Free to use | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official sources | |||
South Dakota Driver License ManualOfficial · PDFThe DPS manual for cars, in ten chapters from licensing to special driving situations, ending with 10 sample questions and their answers. | Free download | The whole manual, in English or Spanish | |
DPS page for teen drivers and parentsOfficial · web pageSets out each step for drivers under 18 and links the Supervised Driving Log, the Supervised Driving Affidavit and the parental consent form. | Free | The permit and license rules for teens, and the log and affidavit forms | |
| In person | |||
Driver education coursesIn person · local schools and community programsSchool and community courses across the state. Unlike the commercial courses sold online, they can shorten a teen’s permit holding time. | Set by each program | Nothing listed | |
Prices and ratings checked November 2026.
What does South Dakota drivers ed change?
For a teen, passing an approved course from a school or community program:
- Cuts the time you must hold your instruction permit from 275 days to 180, if you score 80% or better on both the written and driving parts
- Gives you a certificate that can be used to waive testing for one year from the day you finish the course
The certificate is one way to get your permit without taking the knowledge test, and the instruction permit page has the other steps.
Do online driver’s ed courses count?
No. The state of South Dakota doesn’t review, approve, certify or recognize the commercial driver education courses sold online. Unlike the school and community courses, they don’t reduce the days a minor must hold an instruction permit, and they don’t waive the knowledge or driving test.
Finding a course near you
To find the programs in your area, call the State Driver Education Coordinator at (605) 431-6520, who can give you their contact details.
For motorcycles, the South Dakota Safety Council runs rider safety classes statewide through an arrangement with the Office of Highway Safety. They run from April through October, and the Safety Council gives the license test as the course’s final step.
A study plan for the knowledge test
Six steps through the South Dakota Driver License Manual:
- Read The Driver’s License chapter for the permit types, the tests and the ways you can lose your license.
- Take your time over Be in Shape to Drive, on fatigue, distractions, alcohol and drugs.
- Learn the signals, signs and pavement markings in Rules of the Road.
- Write down the numbers: the 4-second following distance, 100 feet to signal a turn, and the speeds and distances in each chapter.
- Read Sharing the Road for pedestrians, bicyclists, trucks and emergency vehicles.
- Finish with the manual’s Test Your Knowledge questions, then take the practice test.
Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety and 3 more. Checked November 2026.
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety: South Dakota driver education courses ↗
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety: Driver licensing information for teen drivers and parents ↗
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety: South Dakota driver license testing information ↗
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety: South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024), linked from the teen drivers page ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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