South Dakota Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your South Dakota learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official DPS pages and linked to the source.
South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota DPS — Driver Licensing FAQsChecked 2026-08-12Official source
South DakotaDPSSDCL 32-12-11 — Application for license or permit, persons at least fourteen and less than eighteenChecked 2026-08-09Official source
South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official 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.
The South Dakota licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what DPS itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where DPS publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit age14South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
South Dakota's driver manual says you can apply for an instruction permit at age 14
2Documents
DPS lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Parent or guardian consent, signed in person at a driver exam station or via a notarized Parental Consent Form
- Certified birth certificate (hospital birth certificates not accepted)
- Social Security card
- Two documents proving residential address (may be in the applicant's or parent's name)
- Completed application
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
3Required education
Required driver educationWe have not verified a driver-education requirement on DPS's own pagesSouth DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
4Application
Permit fee$28South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota DPS — Driver Licensing FAQsChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Application fee for an instruction permit.
What the permit itself takes, once you pass:
- Permit fee ($38.00)
5Knowledge test
Questions on the official testDPS does not publish thisSouth DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
Official passing scoreDPS does not publish thisSouth DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
Wait before a retake1 daySouth DakotaDPSSouth Dakota DPS — Driver Licensing FAQsChecked 2026-08-12Official source
6Permit restrictions
Permit validityDPS does not publish a verified validity periodSouth DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
Restrictions South Dakota puts on a new driver:
- 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
South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1850 hours (10 at night)South DakotaDPSSDCL 32-12-11 — Application for license or permit, persons at least fourteen and less than eighteenChecked 2026-08-09Official source
50 hours required, including 10 at night (plus 10 hours in inclement weather, not represented in this schema). That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit holdDPS does not publish a single verified holding periodSouth DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
The South Dakota manual says the instruction permit is held until age 15, rather than listing a flat month count
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age14South DakotaDPSSouth Dakota Department of Public Safety — South Dakota Driver License ManualChecked 2026-07-14Official source
South Dakota issues a restricted minor's permit for work and school purposes at ages 14-16; the full license follows at age 16 after the road test
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
What is different about South Dakota
Rules that are set by South Dakota rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Minimum permit age: 14 here. The most common minimum permit age is 15 (25 of 50 states we have verified).
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 much does a South Dakota permit cost?
The South Dakota permit fee is $28. Application fee for an instruction permit..
How many practice driving hours does South Dakota require?
South Dakota requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the South Dakota permit test?
Right here — take a free South Dakota practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
