Earning a driver's license is a significant milestone in a teenager's life. However, the journey to becoming a licensed driver in South Dakota is filled with specific steps and requirements.
In this guide, we will be covering the steps to getting your Learners Permit and subsequently your driver's license in the state of South Dakota. We try to be exhaustive in this article, so if you aren't interested in a ton of reading, we suggest heading over to DriversEd.com. DriversEd is the #1 online driver's education provider in SD. They are state certified and by clicking this link or the banner below, you'll be eligible for an exclusive discount there. DriversEd.com has excellent customer service that is miles better than anything the government has to offer. If you get stuck during the process of getting your driver's license, you can be sure that DriversEd is there to be your helping hand.
Age Requirements
Teen drivers in South Dakota must meet several prerequisites to earn their driver's license. The journey begins at 14, when you can apply for a learner's permit. At the age of 16, you become eligible to apply for a driver's license.
Online Driver's Education Course in South Dakota
If you're under 18 years old, completing a driver's education course is mandatory before obtaining a driver's license. Traditionally, this involves 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
DriversEd.com offers a comprehensive online driver's education course for South Dakota teens. This course covers all necessary topics for a driver's permit, including traffic laws, vehicle operation, driver safety, defensive driving, hazard recognition and avoidance, alcohol and drug awareness, and teen driving issues.
The course contains 30 modules, each dedicated to a different topic. These modules include a video lesson, a quiz, and a practice test, culminating in a final exam. You need to score at least 80% on each module quiz and the final exam to pass the course. Successful completion makes you eligible to apply for a learner's permit from the South Dakota DMV.
What makes this course appealing is its self-paced, 24/7 availability, making it a suitable choice for busy teens. Added features include a mobile app for studying on-the-go, a practice driving simulator, a blog with driving-related topics, and a forum for sharing and receiving advice from other teen drivers.
DriversEd.com
The team over at DriversEd have been educating teens successfully for decades. They're one of the only reliable online course providers in South Dakota that is offically state approved. DriversEd.com boasts decades of experience and has helped over 13 million drivers learn the ropes. With 3D animated driving scenarios and case studies, it offers an immersive learning experience. Try DriversEd.com, one of the most trusted names in the space.
Aceable
***Aceable is currently not certified for Drivers Education in South Dakota*** While this is my favorite company in the space, they're still not available in South Dakota. Aceable offers an interactive, mobile-friendly course that allows you to learn at your own pace, on your own time. The course includes engaging, multimedia content to make learning fun and easy. Get an Aceable discount today!
I Drive Safely
***IDriveSafely is currently not certified for Drivers Education in South Dakota*** My first job in the Drivers Education space, I Drive Safely is time-tested and has been around since 1998. The company is basically as old as the internet itself. I Drive Safely prides itself on delivering top-quality, easy-to-understand courses. Their engaging, interactive content is designed to help you retain information and pass your exams on the first try.
Learner's Permit and Driving Practice in South Dakota
- Learner's Permit: Having completed driver's education, you can apply for a learner's permit, which involves passing a vision test and a written test.
- Driving Practice: A learner's permit authorizes you to practice driving, provided you're accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. It's essential to wear a seatbelt and follow all traffic laws during this period.
Driving Test and Licensing in South Dakota
- Driving Test: After a minimum of 6 months of driving practice, you can take the driving test, which assesses your skills in various driving scenarios.
- Provisional License: Upon passing the driving test, you'll receive a provisional license with specific restrictions, like a curfew and passenger limits.
- Unrestricted License: After maintaining a clean record with your provisional license for 12 months, you can apply for an unrestricted driver's license.
For safety, remember to always wear a seatbelt, obey all traffic laws, avoid drinking and driving, and refrain from texting while driving. Being mindful of your surroundings and practicing defensive driving can contribute significantly to road safety.
Graduated Driver's License (GDL) Program in South Dakota
South Dakota utilizes a Graduated Driver's License (GDL) program to help reduce the number of teen driving crashes. The GDL program has three phases:
- Learner's Permit
- Provisional License
- Unrestricted License
Each phase has its own set of rules and gradually increases the driving privileges of teen drivers. As a teen driver in South Dakota, adhering to the GDL program's rules can play a crucial role in maintaining your safety and that of others on the road.
Take advantage of the comprehensive, convenient, and affordable online driver's education course offered by DriversEd.com as you prepare to become a licensed driver. This course could be your key to not only obtaining your license but also becoming a responsible and safe driver on South Dakota's roads.
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