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View All PlansFree South Dakota DMV Written Test Study Guide 2025
Driving in South Dakota can be an unforgettable experience, especially if you’re crossing the vast plains or winding through the Black Hills. The state is known for its open roads and light traffic, making it ideal for beginners who lack behind-the-wheel experience. However, icy roads and snow can pose a challenge in winter, even for expert drivers. You must always drive cautiously and prioritize safety.
Before you can legally explore South Dakota’s roads behind the wheel of your favorite vehicle, you must complete the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Teen drivers begin this program with the instruction permit, which is granted after passing a vision screening and a 25-question knowledge exam. Adults are not required to hold an instruction permit, but they, too, must pass the vision screening and the official knowledge test.
South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety (DMV) publishes the official South Dakota Driver License Manual (South Dakota DMV Handbook (SD Driver's Manual) 2025). This resource describes the various aspects of driving theory in detail, helping you understand what it takes to become a safe and responsible driver. However, some students find active learning easier and more efficient than traditional study methods. They use practice tests to boost their learning potential and retain information through repetition. You can adopt a similar approach by incorporating our South Dakota DMV Written Test Study Guide practice test into your study routine.
This intuitive tool is up to date as of October 2025, so you will always practice with the latest version. It consists of 20 multiple-choice questions based on the official driver license manual. To pass, you must score 80% or higher. However, we recommend ignoring your score during your first few attempts. Focus on improving your knowledge and learn from your mistakes with the help of our immediate feedback feature. We provide a detailed explanation for each question, helping you understand the reasoning behind the correct answer.
Start today and take the first step towards becoming a licensed driver. Use our practice test alongside the official driver license manual to master driving theory and ace the official written knowledge test on your first attempt.
Verified for accuracy: October 2025
Reviewed by Steven Litvintchouk, M.S.
Chief Educational Researcher (ACES member)
Methodology & Editorial Policy
What to expect on the actual SD exam
questions
correct answers to pass
passing score
minimum age to apply
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We know how Driver's Ed goes
Noses sneeze. Babies cry. Frustration groans. And when it's finally time to take your test, you're sweating. Thirty minutes later, you're crying. Because despite your best efforts. You failed. Next thing you know, you're chasing a Waymo in circles to get home (embarrassing!).
At Driving Tests, we know emotions can get in the way of doing what you need to do. So we deliver Driver's Ed that makes it easy to start, and even easier to finish. We get you DMV Smart ASAP. Testing you with real, up-to-date questions. Backing up tricky driving situations with easy-to-grasp visuals & engaging practice tests that reaffirm what you know, and test you again on what you don't. So by the time test day comes - you *own* the DMV. Your only worry? Convincing the proctor you didn't cheat ;)