A 4-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.
South Dakota phases teens in step by step: Instruction Permit, then Restricted Minor's Permit, then Operator's License. Each step has a minimum holding time, a clean-record requirement, and limits on when and with whom you drive.
The three stages for drivers under 18
The three stages for drivers under 18
Stage
Minimum age
Key requirement
Instruction Permit
14
Pass vision and knowledge tests
Restricted Minor's Permit
14
Permit time done, drive test, no violation in 6 months
Operator's License
16
Vision, knowledge, drive tests; no violation in 6 months
Over 18, the Instruction Permit also needs vision and knowledge tests and a licensed adult with at least one year of driving experience seated beside you. A drive test is required before upgrading to an Operator License.
Any wireless device for voice or data between two or more parties: cell phone, texting device, PDA or audio-video player that sends/receives messages, or laptop.
You're 15 and three months into your Restricted Minor's Permit. At 10:30 p.m. you want to drive a friend home from a movie. Not allowed: after 10 p.m. a parent must sit beside you (movies aren't an exception), and in your first 6 months only family may ride with you.
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.
How many hours of adult-supervised driving must an Instruction Permit holder under 18 complete before upgrading?
25 hours
100 hours
40 hours
50 hours
Answer: 50 hours
Minors must complete 50 hours of adult-supervised driving on an Instruction Permit, including 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark.
A minor holds a standard Instruction Permit without driver education. How many continuous days must they hold it before upgrading to a Restricted Minor's Permit?
365 days
275 days
180 days
90 days
Answer: 275 days
Minors must hold the Instruction Permit continuously for 275 days, or 180 days if they completed an approved driver education course with 80% or better on both portions.
A minor completes an approved driver education course scoring 80% or better on both the written and driving portions. How long must they now hold the Instruction Permit before upgrading?
60 days
275 days
180 days
300 days
Answer: 180 days
Successful completion of an approved driver education course (80% or better on both parts) shortens the required holding period to 180 days.