SOUTH DAKOTA DMV MOTORCYCLE PRACTICE TEST

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To earn your motorcycle license in South Dakota, you must pass both a knowledge test and on-cycle skill test. Knowledge test questions cover the information from the South Dakota Motorcycle Manual. They require that you know and understand driving laws, road rules and safe riding practices. The South Dakota motorcycle test consists of 25 questions, and you'll need at least 19 correct answers to pass.
1. Motorcycle passengers should:
put their feet down at stops.
plant their feet on the passenger footpegs and keep them there.
bring their feet into contact with drive chain.
2. Start your motorcycle with your right wrist:
down.
flat.
locked.
3. You can ride safely on slippery surfaces by:
avoiding sudden moves.
holding in the clutch.
leaning back.
4. To increase your line of sight, you should ride in ______ lane position.
the center
any
the left
5. While riding a motorcycle, you can share your lane with:
It depends on the vehicle.
You can never share your lane.
cars.
6. Which brake provides the most stopping power?
The front brake
Both brakes equally
The emergency brake
7. The front brake is operated by:
the left-hand lever.
the left-foot pedal.
the right-hand lever.
8. To increase your chances of avoiding obstacles at night, you should:
reduce your speed.
grab at the front brake.
ride in a staggered formation.
9. Remeber to adjust your side mirrors:
once a week.
when you are stopped at intersections.
before every ride.
10. You should start your motorcycle in:
first gear.
neutral.
second gear.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

You can obtain an instruction permit when you are at least 14 years old. If you are under 18, you can apply for a restricted permit after holding the permit for 275 days (or 180 days if you have completed a driver education course). To obtain a full operator’s license, you must be at least 16 years old and have held a restricted permit for at least 6 months.

To take your permit test in South Dakota, you can simply visit any South Dakota driver license exam station. However, scheduling an appointment online or calling 605-773-6883 can help minimize wait times. If you've completed an approved driver education course within the past year and can provide a certificate as proof, you may waive the DMV test.

Make sure you have these documents:
  • Proof of date of birth, identity, and lawful status in the US (Birth certificate, U.S. passport…). If your legal name differs, provide proof with a marriage certificate or a court order.
  • Proof of Social Security number.
  • Two proofs of residential address (such as utility or phone bill, mortgage document, or bank statement). If you are minor, a parent/guardian could provide these for you.
  • Completed License Application Form. For minors, a parent/guardian must sign the parent/guardian consent section in front of a driver examiner or in front of a notary public.


The DMV written test in South Dakota is offered in both English and Spanish. It is advisable to have a basic understanding of English since you will find road signs always in English when driving.

The DMV written test covers various topics, such as road signs, parallel parking, turning, passing a vehicle, yielding the right of way, etc. Studying the official South Dakota Driver’s Handbook is the first step to pass the exam because it contains all of this information. Once you've read it, you can take our free practice tests to test your preparation.

For new drivers in South Dakota, specific restrictions apply depending on the type of permit held.

With an instruction permit:
  • You must have an adult with a driver's license for at least one year, seated beside you.
  • The use of any wireless communication device while driving is prohibited.

With a restricted minor’s permit:
  • You may drive between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. with the authorization of a parent or legal guardian.
  • Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., you can drive only with a parent or legal guardian seated beside you or you can drive alone only for school/church events or work activities.
  • For the first 6 months, you cannot transport any passengers except siblings. After this period, you may only have one passenger who is not a family member.
  • The use of any wireless communication device while driving is prohibited.

The South Dakota instruction permit is valid for five years or until the expiration date of the documents authorizing your presence in the United States. Use this time to fulfill the necessary requirements before taking the road test.
In case you don't pass your DMV written test, you'll need to wait until the next working day before trying again. You have up to three attempts within a six-month period. However, if you fail three times within six months, you must pay a new fee to retake the exam.

SD DMV Motorcycle Test

Number of questions: 25
Correct answers to pass:19
Passing score:76%
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