Roadwise States South Dakota Driving lessons Windows, tint and a clear view South Dakota driving lesson · Before You Drive
Windows, tint and a clear view A 2-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.
Read time 2 minutes
Course unit Before You Drive
Checkpoint questions 5
Source pages 21 You can only avoid what you can see. South Dakota limits how dark window tint can be, and a few simple habits keep your glass and lights clear.
35% Minimum light transmittance for the windshield and windows forward of or beside the driver
Handbook p. 21 ↗ 20% Minimum light transmittance for rear windows (with a 9% enforcement tolerance)
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
No sun-screening device may obstruct the driver's view through the windshield, and no film may extend below the AS-1 line or the lowest point of the sun visor.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Keep your view clear: Keep the windshield clean; carry liquid cleaner and a towel Keep the washer bottle full; use antifreeze wash when it could freeze Clean the inside of the windows, especially if anyone smokes in the vehicle Clear snow, ice and frost from all windows (front, sides and back) before driving Don't hang things from the mirror or clutter the windshield with decals Handbook p. 21 ↗ Know the rule
Bright sun or headlights on a dirty windshield make it hard to see.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ 50% How much dirt on headlight, backup, brake and taillight lenses can cut their light
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Put it into practice
On a frosty morning you scrape a small peephole in the windshield and start to leave. Not enough: clear snow, ice and frost from all the windows, front, sides and back, before you drive.
A useful reminder Tint numbers: 35% for the front, 20% for the rear.
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.
Dirt on headlight and taillight lenses has little effect on how much light they give off. True False Answer: False
Keep lights clean: dirt on the lenses can reduce the light by 50%.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ South Dakota law sets a minimum light transmittance for windshields and front side windows. What is that minimum? 20% 35% 10% 50% Answer: 35%
Windshields and front side windows may not be covered with tint reducing light transmittance below 35%.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What is the minimum light transmittance allowed for rear windows under South Dakota's window tint law? 10%, with a 20% tolerance 50%, with a 5% tolerance 35%, with no tolerance 20%, with a 9% tolerance Answer: 20%, with a 9% tolerance
Rear windows may not go below 20% light transmission, with a 9% enforcement tolerance.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Why should you avoid hanging things from the rearview mirror or covering the windshield with decals? They can scratch the glass They reflect headlight glare They distract other drivers They could block your view Answer: They could block your view
Hanging items or decals on the windshield could block your view of the road.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ You should use antifreeze washer fluid when the temperature could fall below freezing. True False Answer: True
Keep the window washer bottle full and use antifreeze wash when temperatures could drop below freezing.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Previous lesson Inspecting and maintaining your vehicle Next lesson Adjusting your seat and mirrors About the source Roadwise’s South Dakota course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 21. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check South Dakota’s DPS. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.