Driving

Parental consent is required for all applicants under 18 years of age in South Dakota.

In South Dakota, and Instruction Permit allows an individual to drive for 180 days when accompanied by a licensed operator over 18 years of age, who has at least one year of driving experience and is occupying the seat next to the driver.

A Restricted Minor’s permit is issued to a minor 14 or 15 years old, allowing them to operate a motor vehicle WITH PARENTAL PERMISSION, between the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Upon the minor’s sixteenth (16th) birthday, the above time restriction no longer applies.

Any traffic violation or violation of the above hour’s restriction will cause the permit to be suspended for 30 days. A second violation will cause the permit to be revoked until the minor’s sixteenth (16th) birthday or for 90 days, whichever is longer. To obtain the permit back after a suspension or revocation may require a $50 fee plus testing.

If you are applying for your first driver’s license and have never held a driver’s license in any state, you need to take a Certified Birth Certificate and your Social Security number when you apply. If you are under 18, you need to take a parent or legal guardian to sign a consent form.

Remember: South Dakota has a seat belt law that requires the driver of a vehicle to wear a seat belt. In addition, every front seat passenger in a vehicle must wear a seat belt.

Additionally, a driver of a vehicle must ensure that any front seat passenger who is between the ages of 5 and 18 years be secured in a seat belt. Also, a child between the ages of 2 and 5 who is a passenger in the vehicle (in the front or back seat) wear a seat belt and a child under 2 be secured in a child safety seat.

For more information regarding Teen Drivers, please call 1-(800) 952-3696.

What to do in Case of a Car Accident

• Stay calm.
• Do not move your car until the police arrive unless it is causing a safety hazard.
• ALWAYS exchange names, addresses and phone numbers.
• ALWAYS exchange names of insurance companies and driver’s license numbers.
• Don’t admit guilt.
• Minimize movement of yourself and others.

If you are involved in an accident that has caused bodily injury or property damage, you are required by law to stop immediately and give your name and address and the owner of the car’s name and address to the other people involved in the accident.

You are also required to give “reasonable assistance” to individuals who are injured in an accident, including getting them medical help. If you cannot give a person the required information because the person has been injured, you must first provide assistance to that person, then go to the nearest law enforcement center and report the accident. South Dakota law requires that you notify the nearest law enforcement agency.

Warning: Whatever you do, do not run away from the scene of an accident.