A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Motorcycle permits mirror the car system but with shorter hours and stricter passenger rules. This lesson also covers duplicate licenses, mopeds, ID cards, and the special expiration for young drivers.
Know the rule
Motorcycle Instruction Permit: at least 14, pass the vision test plus the car/truck and motorcycle knowledge tests. It is valid for one year (or until legal-presence documents expire).
Minors must hold the Motorcycle Instruction Permit 275 days (180 days with driver education) before upgrading. With driver education plus an authorized motorcycle safety course, it's 180 continuous days, and time on a car Instruction Permit can count toward them.
Motorcycle Restricted Minor's Permit: ride 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. with parent/guardian permission, permit in your possession, and hold it at least 6 months before applying for a motorcycle operator's license.
Motorcycle Operator's License: at least 16; pass vision, car/truck and motorcycle knowledge tests and a motorcycle driving test, with no traffic conviction in the past six months.
A duplicate keeps the original expiration date, requires 2 proofs of SD physical address, and is issued only for a name change, address change, or lost card.
You're 15 with a Motorcycle Instruction Permit. At 7 p.m. your 20-year-old cousin, a licensed rider for three years, rides his own bike alongside you. That's legal. Giving your brother a ride on your bike is not: permit holders may never carry a passenger.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A Motorcycle Instruction Permit holder under 18 wants to upgrade to a Motorcycle Restricted Minor's Permit. Without driver education, how many continuous days must they hold the permit?
365 days
180 days
90 days
275 days
Answer: 275 days
Like the car Instruction Permit, the Motorcycle Instruction Permit generally must be held 275 continuous days unless reduced by driver education.
A minor completes both an approved driver education course and an authorized motorcycle safety course. How long must the Motorcycle Instruction Permit be held?
90 continuous days
1 year
275 continuous days
180 continuous days
Answer: 180 continuous days
Completing both the driver education course and an authorized motorcycle safety course reduces the required holding period to 180 continuous days.