20 questions from the South Dakota driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. According to South Dakota law, which passengers are required to wear a properly adjusted and fastened safety seatbelt while the vehicle is in motion?
Answer: All operators, front seat passengers, and children under the age of 18. The handbook lists operators, front seat passengers, and children under 18 as the groups required to wear restraints.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 23: “The law requires that all operators, front seat passengers and children under the age of 18 wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is in motion.”
2. Under what condition is a U-turn permitted mid-block on a street in a business district?
Answer: Where the street is divided and the turn is made at a legal opening or crossover. The handbook states that mid-block U-turns are generally prohibited in business districts unless the road is divided and the turn occurs at a designated legal opening.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 36: “Mid-block on any street in a business district or mid-block on a through (main) highway that is in a residential district. (except where the street or highway is divided, and the turn is made at a legal opening or crossover).”
3. According to the guidelines for changing lanes, what action should a driver take regarding blind spots before making a lane change?
Answer: Quickly turn your head to look for hidden pedestrians or vehicles. The handbook instructs drivers to physically turn their heads to check blind spots because mirrors may not show all hazards.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 42: “Before making lane changes or turns, quickly turn your head to look for any hidden pedestrians or vehicles.”
4. According to the handbook, when should a driver dim their high beams in relation to an oncoming vehicle?
Answer: Whenever you come within 500 feet of the vehicle. The handbook states that high beams must be dimmed when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle to prevent glare.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 52: “Dim the high beams whenever you come within 500 feet (about a one block distance) of an oncoming vehicle.”
5. What should a driver do when approaching a slow-moving vehicle such as a farm tractor?
Answer: Slow down and move over to the left to pass if possible. The handbook advises slowing down and moving to the left to pass slow-moving vehicles, noting that one should never pass on the right.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 42: “Slow down when approaching a slow-moving vehicle and, if possible, move over to the left to pass it.”
6. What is the correct procedure when approaching a crosswalk where a stop line is present before the crosswalk?
Answer: Stop behind the stop line first. The handbook states that when a stop line exists before the crosswalk, the driver must obey that line first.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 34: “If there is a stop line before the crosswalk, the stop line must be obeyed first.”
7. When is it appropriate to stop at the scene of an accident?
Answer: Only if you are involved or if emergency help has not yet arrived. The handbook states that drivers should only stop if they are involved in the incident or if emergency assistance has not arrived.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 56: “Do not stop at an accident unless you are involved or if emergency help has not yet arrived.”
8. When merging onto a high-speed roadway, what is the recommended action regarding the acceleration lane?
Answer: Use the lane to reach the speed of other vehicles before merging. The handbook instructs drivers to use the acceleration lane to match the speed of existing traffic before merging.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 42: “Use the lane to reach the speed of other vehicles before merging into traffic.”
9. What is the correct procedure when approaching a stop sign with a stop line present?
Answer: Stop behind the stop line. The handbook specifies that when a stop line exists, the vehicle must stop behind that line, rather than before the sign or in the intersection.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 32: “You must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk, if one is present, or before the stop sign itself.”
10. When making a right turn, how should a driver position their vehicle?
Answer: Turn right from the right-most portion of the lane. The instructions for right turns state to turn from the right-most portion of the lane.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 35: “Always turn right from the right-most portion of the lane.”
11. Why are new drivers considered more affected by alcohol than experienced drivers?
Answer: Because they are still learning to drive. The handbook attributes the greater impact of alcohol on new drivers to the fact that they are still in the process of learning how to drive.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 16: “New drivers are more affected by alcohol than experienced drivers because they are still learning to drive.”
12. Which of the following scenarios describes an incorrect way to use a car seat according to the provided guide?
Answer: An infant seat is facing forward. The guide lists 'An infant is facing forward' under the heading 'A Car Seat is Used Incorrectly if:'.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 25: “An infant is facing forward”
13. If your brakes fail while driving, what is the first recommended action to slow the vehicle?
Answer: Use the parking brake slowly to avoid locking the rear wheels. The handbook instructs using the parking brake slowly as the primary method to slow down if the main brakes fail.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 55: “Use the parking brake. Pull on the parking brake handle in the center console or push the parking brake foot pedal slowly so you will not lock the rear wheels and cause a skid.”
14. According to the handbook, which vehicles are permitted to use the truck apron inside a roundabout?
Answer: Large trucks. The handbook states that truck aprons are for large trucks and excludes cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks from using them.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 36: “Truck aprons are not to be used by cars, SUVs, or pickup trucks.”
15. When driving on a high-speed road with a posted minimum speed limit, what does the handbook advise if the minimum speed is too fast for you?
Answer: Use another road. The handbook instructs drivers to choose a different route if they cannot safely maintain the minimum speed required on high-speed roads.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 32: “If the minimum posted speed is too fast for you, you should use another road.”
16. According to the handbook, which vehicle in a funeral procession is required to obey traffic signs and signals?
Answer: Only the first vehicle. The handbook states that the obligation to obey signs and signals applies solely to the leading vehicle of the procession.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 28: “Only the first vehicle in a funeral procession must obey traffic signs and signals.”
17. When driving away from a rising or setting sun, why does the handbook recommend turning on your headlights?
Answer: To help drivers coming toward you see your vehicle despite the glare. The handbook explains that headlights are used in this scenario specifically to assist oncoming drivers in seeing your vehicle against the sun's glare.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 51: “Drivers coming toward you may have trouble seeing the vehicle because of the glare. The headlights will help them to see you.”
18. Why is it important to check for more than one track at highway-railroad grade crossings even if signs indicate multiple tracks?
Answer: Because not all crossings with multiple tracks have posted signs indicating the number of tracks. Drivers must verify the number of tracks visually because the handbook notes that signage indicating multiple tracks is not present at every multi-track crossing.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 31: “Not all highway-railroad grade crossings with more than one train track will have these signs though, so it is important to check for more than one track, train, or railroad vehicle at each highway-railroad grade crossing.”
19. When a steady GREEN traffic light is displayed, what must a driver do before proceeding through the intersection?
Answer: Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection. Even with a green light, the driver must ensure the intersection is clear of crossing traffic before moving forward.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 29: “If you are stopped and then the light turns green, you must allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection before you proceed.”
20. What is the correct action when approaching a highway-railroad grade crossing where the side-by-side lights are flashing?
Answer: Stop behind the stop line or before the intersection is clear. The handbook mandates stopping behind the stop line when lights flash, indicating an approaching train, rather than proceeding or bypassing safety devices.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 30: “When a train or railroad vehicle is approaching the intersection, you must stop behind the stop line or before the intersection is clear.”