20 questions from the South Dakota driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. Why should drivers maintain the proper speed for the flow of traffic when a truck or bus is entering a freeway from an acceleration lane?
Answer: To enable the truck to smoothly enter without having to stop. Maintaining steady traffic speed helps large vehicles, which accelerate slowly, merge smoothly without needing to stop.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 60: “Automobile drivers can assist the truck and bus drivers who are entering a freeway (interstate) by maintaining the proper speed for the flow of traffic. This enables trucks and buses to smoothly enter the freeway.”
2. According to the handbook, which hand positions on the steering wheel are recommended to maintain control?
Answer: The 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The handbook recommends the 3 and 9 o'clock positions while noting that 2 and 10 are no longer recommended due to airbag safety concerns.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 26: “Both hands should be placed on the outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides, at the 3 and 9 o’clock positions, to maintain control of the vehicle.”
3. Why is it considered dangerous to drive much slower than other vehicles on a multi-lane roadway?
Answer: It tends to make vehicles bunch up behind you and causes other traffic to pass you. Driving significantly slower than the flow of traffic causes congestion behind the vehicle and forces other drivers to maneuver around them, increasing collision risk.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 42: “Going much slower than other vehicles can be just as bad as speeding. It is dangerous and you can be ticketed for impeding traffic. It tends to make vehicles bunch up behind you and causes other traffic to pass you.”
4. How far behind a disabled vehicle should you place emergency flares to warn other drivers?
Answer: About 200 to 300 feet. The handbook specifies placing flares 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle to provide sufficient warning time for other drivers.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 55: “Place emergency flares about 200 to 300 feet behind the vehicle, giving other drivers some time to change lanes if necessary.”
5. What should a driver do before turning left across oncoming traffic to ensure the path is clear?
Answer: Look to the street you are turning onto to check for obstacles. Drivers must check the destination street for obstacles to avoid getting stranded in the path of oncoming traffic.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 45: “Look to the street you are turning onto to make sure that no vehicles or pedestrians are in the path, leaving you stranded in the path of oncoming traffic.”
6. What is the recommended method for handling an uneven surface drop-off when your wheels leave the pavement?
Answer: Slow down gradually, when safe to do so, and turn back onto the pavement. The handbook recommends gradual slowing and turning back onto the pavement rather than panic steering.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 54: “If the vehicle leaves the paved road surface, slow down gradually, when safe to do so, and turn back onto the pavement.”
7. How many hours of supervised driving are required on an Instruction Permit for minors?
Answer: 50 hours. The handbook specifies that a total of 50 hours of adult supervised driving must be completed while holding an Instruction Permit.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 8: “The driver must complete 50 hours of adult supervised driving on an Instruction Permit (must include 10 hours in inclement weather and 10 hours after dark).”
8. Where should children age 12 and younger be seated to avoid injury from an air bag?
Answer: In the rear seat of the vehicle. The handbook states that children 12 and younger should sit in the rear seat to prevent injury from deploying air bags.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 23: “Children age 12 and younger should sit in the rear seat of the vehicle to avoid injury from an air bag in the event of a crash.”
9. What action should you take if your vehicle is hit from the rear?
Answer: Press yourself against the back of the seat and put your head against the head restraint. The handbook advises pressing against the seat back and head restraint to minimize injury when struck from behind.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 56: “Hit from the Rear—If the vehicle is hit from the rear, your body will be thrown backwards. Press yourself against the back of the seat and put your head against the head restraint.”
10. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure when using a vehicle equipped with ABS to stop quickly?
Answer: Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying pressure. The handbook instructs drivers to maintain constant, hard pressure on the brake pedal rather than pumping it.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 54: “Press on the brake pedal as hard as you can and keep applying pressure.”
11. How should a driver respond when facing a completely unlighted traffic signal?
Answer: Stop in the same manner as if the vehicle were at a stop sign. The handbook states that drivers must treat a completely unlighted signal exactly like a stop sign, requiring a full stop.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 29: “Red or completely unlighted traffic signal shall stop in the same manner as if the vehicle were at a stop sign.”
12. What is the minimum age requirement to obtain an Instruction Permit in South Dakota?
Answer: 14 years of age. The handbook states that applicants must be at least 14 years old to qualify for an Instruction Permit.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 8: “To obtain an Instruction Permit, you must be at least 14 years of age and pass the vision and knowledge tests.”
13. If your vehicle begins to skid, what action should you take regarding the pedals?
Answer: Release pressure from the brake or accelerator. The handbook advises releasing pressure from either pedal to help regain control during a skid.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 54: “Release pressure from the brake or accelerator.”
14. When is it most important to look left and right at an intersection, even if other traffic has a red light?
Answer: Immediately after the light has turned green. The handbook advises checking left and right just after the light turns green because cross-street drivers may hurry through before their light changes.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 45: “This is especially important just after the light has turned green.”
15. When is it permissible to proceed past a stopped school bus with flashing red lights?
Answer: After the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer visible. Drivers must wait until both the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted before proceeding.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 40: “After the school bus’s red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is no longer visible, proceed slowly watching for children.”
16. According to the handbook, what is the minimum following distance you should maintain between your vehicle and the vehicle directly in front of you?
Answer: 4 seconds. The handbook states that drivers should maintain a minimum following distance of four seconds.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 48: “Always try to keep a minimum following distance of 4 seconds between your car and the vehicle in front.”
17. When entering a public highway from a driveway or private road, who must you yield to?
Answer: Drivers already on the highway. The handbook specifies that drivers entering from a driveway or private road must yield to drivers already on the public highway.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 28: “Drivers on a public highway if you are entering the highway from a driveway or a private road”
18. According to the handbook, what is a good rule of thumb for determining if a truck driver can see your vehicle?
Answer: If you can see the truck driver in their side mirror. The handbook states that visibility in the side mirror is the indicator for whether the truck driver sees you.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 53: “A good rule of thumb for drivers sharing the road with a truck or bus is, if you can’t see the truck or bus driver in their side mirror, they can’t see you.”
19. What is the minimum duration for which an SR22 insurance filing must be maintained after a DWI conviction?
Answer: 3 years. The handbook mandates that drivers convicted of DWI must maintain an SR22 filing for a period of three years.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 17: “UPON CONVICTION OF DWI, YOU MUST PRESENT AN SR22 “INSURANCE FILING” TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND MAINTAIN THIS INSURANCE FOR 3 YEARS FROM THE ELIGIBILITY DATE.”
20. According to the handbook, what is the correct procedure if your engine shuts off while driving?
Answer: Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel and brake with steady pressure. The handbook instructs drivers to maintain a strong grip and apply steady brake pressure rather than braking hard.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 55: “Keep a strong grip on the steering wheel. Be aware that the steering wheel may be difficult to turn, but you can still turn it. • Look for an escape path. Do not brake hard. Instead, brake with steady pressure on the pedal to slow down, and then pull off the roadway.”