South Dakota teen driving requirements
South Dakota operates a graduated driver licensing program for all new drivers under 18 years old, beginning with an instruction permit available at age 14. The graduated driver licensing process takes drivers through several stages and lifts restrictions as drivers become more experienced. The program includes specific holding periods of 180 days with driver education or 275 days without driver education, along with requirements for 50 hours of parent-supervised driving with 10 hours at night and 10 hours in inclement weather.
Contents
Overview
South Dakota operates a graduated driver licensing program for all new drivers under 18 years old, beginning with an instruction permit available at age 14. The graduated driver licensing process takes drivers through several stages and lifts restrictions as drivers become more experienced. The program includes specific holding periods of 180 days with driver education or 275 days without driver education, along with requirements for 50 hours of parent-supervised driving with 10 hours at night and 10 hours in inclement weather.
Key finding
South Dakota uses a graduated licensing system that requires teens to progress through structured stages before earning full driving privileges. This approach has been shown to significantly reduce crash risk among new drivers.
Licensing timeline
Teens may obtain an instruction permit at age 14 after passing a knowledge test or completing state-approved driver education. After holding the permit for the required period and having no traffic convictions in the last six months, drivers can apply for a restricted minor's permit. At age 16, after holding a restricted minor's permit for at least 6 months, drivers become eligible for a full operator's license.
| Stage | Minimum Age | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's permit | 14 years old | Must pass written test and vision screening |
| Graduated/provisional license | 14 years, 6 months old | Can apply for restricted minor's permit after holding instruction permit for required time period |
| Restrictions end | After 6 months | Graduated driving license restrictions end after holding restricted minor's permit for 6 months |
Full operator's license available at age 16 after holding restricted permit for 6 months
Practice paths
South Dakota offers 2 pathways to meet practice requirements:
| Option | Description | Supervised Hours | Night Hours | Driver Ed | Road Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | With driver education course | 50 | 10 | No | Yes |
| Option 2 | Without driver education course | 50 | 10 | No | Yes |
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) requirements
Restricted minor's permit holders may drive unaccompanied from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., may drive with a legal guardian from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and may not have passengers outside their immediate family or household for the first 6 months. After 6 months on a restricted permit, drivers may carry only one passenger who is not part of their immediate family or household. All cell phone use while driving, even with hands-free devices, is prohibited.
| Restriction | Details |
|---|---|
| Permit holding period | 180 days with driver education, 275 days without |
| Nighttime restriction | 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless with parent/guardian |
| Passenger restriction | No passengers outside immediate family for first 6 months, then only 1 non-family passenger |
| Cell phone restriction | All cell phone use prohibited, including hands-free devices |
| Supervisor requirement | Licensed driver 18+ with 1+ years experience for instruction permit |
Nighttime restriction exceptions:
- parent or guardian present
Passenger restriction exceptions:
- immediate family
- household members
Important caveat
GDL restrictions vary by state and can change when new legislation is enacted. The restrictions listed above were last verified on 2026-04-03. Always confirm current requirements with the South Dakota official DMV website.
Minimum insurance requirements
South Dakota requires minimum liability coverage of 25/50/25, meaning $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Uninsured motorist coverage is required for all policies, providing coverage for personal injuries caused by an uninsured motorist or hit-and-run driver. South Dakota operates under a traditional fault-based insurance system where the at-fault driver's liability insurance covers damages.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury per person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury per accident | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
| UM/UIM coverage | Uninsured motorist coverage required with same 25/50 limits |
Insurance considerations for teen drivers
While South Dakota's minimum coverage requirements are roughly on par with many other states, carrying only the bare minimum typically leaves drivers and their assets at risk, as liability limits can be depleted quickly with even moderate injuries. Teen drivers face higher insurance costs due to their inexperience and statistical crash risk, making it particularly important to understand coverage options and consider higher liability limits to provide adequate financial protection.
Fees
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Learner's permit | $28 |
| Driver's license | $28 |
Fees may be adjusted for drivers under 21
Official resources
See also
Sources and verification
- South Dakota Department of Public Safety - Teen Drivers
- South Dakota Division of Insurance - Automobile Insurance
- South Dakota DPS Driver License Fees
Last verified: 2026-04-03. This page contains 3 cited sources.