South Dakota Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your South Dakota learner's permit — age, fees, required documents, supervised-hours rules, and what happens after — summarized from the official DPS pages and linked to the source.
Last verified 2026-07-14 · Source: South Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License Manual ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
How to get your permit in South Dakota
- Apply for the South Dakota instruction permit at age 14
- Drive only while supervised by a licensed driver age 18 or older
- Hold the instruction permit until age 15 before moving to the next stage
- If eligible, use the restricted minor's permit only for work and school purposes while following its strict limits
- Qualify for the full South Dakota license at age 16 after passing the road test
South Dakota GDL restrictions for new drivers
- Permit supervision: Instruction-permit holders must be supervised at all times by a licensed driver age 18 or older
- Restricted minor permit: The restricted minor's permit is limited to work and school purposes and carries strict driving limitations
The details
- Permit eligibility: South Dakota's driver manual says you can apply for an instruction permit at age 14
- Permit hold details: The South Dakota manual says the instruction permit is held until age 15, rather than listing a flat month count
- Practice hour details: 50 hours required, including 10 at night (plus 10 hours in inclement weather, not represented in this schema).
- Knowledge test: 25 questions; 80% to pass; 25-question knowledge test, 80% to pass.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in South Dakota?
You can get a learner's permit in South Dakota at 14. South Dakota's driver manual says you can apply for an instruction permit at age 14.
How many practice driving hours does South Dakota require?
South Dakota requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving, including 10 at night.
Where can I practice for the South Dakota permit test?
Right here — take a free South Dakota practice test in your browser, or get the free DMV Prep app for the full DPS-format experience with a readiness score.
