20 questions from the South Dakota driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How far can the rear blind spot of a large truck extend behind the vehicle?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook states that the blind spot behind large trucks can extend up to 200 feet.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 48: “This “blind spot” to the rear of large trucks can extend for 200 feet!”
2. Which of the following is a specific instruction given for passing another vehicle?
Answer: Continue to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror. The handbook specifies that the driver should continue passing until the entire front of the passed vehicle is visible in the rearview mirror.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 43: “Continue to pass until the complete front of the passed vehicles is visible in the rearview mirror”
3. What is the primary reason states are moving away from cloverleaf interchanges toward other designs?
Answer: Issues occur in weaving areas where entering and exiting traffic conflict. The handbook identifies conflicts in weaving areas, where entering and exiting traffic meet simultaneously, as a key drawback of cloverleaf designs.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 38: “Here traffic is trying to enter the interstate lanes at the same time that other traffic is trying to exit.”
4. Why does the handbook recommend increasing your following distance when following motorcycles or bicyclists?
Answer: Because if the cycle should fall, you need extra distance to avoid hitting the rider. The handbook specifies that extra space is needed to safely stop if a motorcycle or bicycle falls over.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 48: “If the cycle should fall, you need extra distance to avoid hitting the rider.”
5. How should a driver respond when a visually impaired pedestrian is crossing a street?
Answer: Come to a complete stop when guided by a dog or carrying a white cane. The rules require a complete stop for visually impaired pedestrians using a guide dog or white cane, regardless of other traffic conditions.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 58: “Always yield the right-of-way to persons who are visually impaired. When a pedestrian is crossing a street guided by a dog or carrying a white cane, come to a complete stop.”
6. When parking a vehicle with a manual transmission on a hill facing uphill with a curb, how should you position the wheels?
Answer: Turn the wheels sharply to the left. The handbook specifies turning wheels left when facing uphill with a curb so the vehicle rolls into the curb if it moves.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 40: “Turn the wheels sharply to the left if there is a curb and facing uphill.”
7. Which of the following is a required action when driving through a work zone, even if no workers are currently present?
Answer: Reduce your speed. The handbook mandates that drivers must always reduce speed in work zones, regardless of whether workers are visibly present at that moment.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 63: “Always reduce your speed in a work zone, even if there are no workers present.”
8. When should you activate your turn signal before making a turn?
Answer: 100 feet before the intended turn. The handbook specifies a distance of 100 feet as the standard for signaling before a turn.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 53: “Signal 100 feet before the intended turn.”
9. According to the handbook, what is the minimum distance a driver must maintain behind a snowplow with active lights on roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or more?
Answer: 200 feet. The handbook states that the legal minimum following distance behind an active snowplow on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or higher is 200 feet.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 64: “On roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or more, the law requires drivers to stay at least 200 feet behind a snowplow when its red or amber lights are on.”
10. Under what specific condition is an operator permitted to secure a child under five years of age using only a standard seatbelt instead of a specialized child passenger restraint system?
Answer: If the child is at least forty pounds in weight. The handbook states that a standard seatbelt is sufficient for a child under five only if the child weighs at least forty pounds.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 24: “The requirements of this section are met if the child is under five years of age and is at least forty pounds in weight by securing the child in a seatbelt.”
11. Which of the following is NOT allowed for a Restricted Minor’s Permit holder during the first 6 months on the permit?
Answer: Carrying non-family passengers. The rules state that during the first six months, passengers are restricted to immediate family or household members, excluding other passengers.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 8: “The Restricted Permit holder must drive on the Restricted Permit for a minimum of 6 months and no passengers are allowed except for immediate family or members of household for first 6 months on the Restricted Permit.”
12. What is the correct hand signal position for indicating a right turn?
Answer: Hand pointing up. The handbook clearly defines the hand position for a right turn as pointing upward.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 53: “Right turn: Hand pointing up.”
13. According to the handbook, when should you move an injured person from the scene of an accident?
Answer: Only if they are in a burning vehicle or in immediate danger of being hit. The handbook specifies that injured persons should generally remain still to avoid worsening injuries, with exceptions only for immediate physical dangers like fire or traffic.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 56: “Do not move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or in other immediate danger of being hit by another vehicle.”
14. According to the handbook, what does a reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle indicate?
Answer: The vehicle is traveling less than 25 mph. The handbook defines the meaning of the reflective orange triangle as indicating a speed of less than 25 mph.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 33: “Slow Moving Vehicle A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is travelling less than 25 mph.”
15. Why does the handbook advise using low beams instead of high beams in fog, snow, or heavy rain?
Answer: Light from high beams will reflect, causing glare and making it more difficult to see ahead. The handbook explains that high beams cause reflection and glare in poor weather conditions, which reduces visibility.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 52: “Light from high beams will reflect, causing glare and making it more difficult to see ahead.”
16. When performing parallel parking, what is the required distance the vehicle should be from the curb or edge of the road when the maneuver is finished?
Answer: Within 12 inches. The handbook states that the vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb after completing the parallel parking maneuver.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 41: “When the maneuver is finished, the vehicle should be within 12 inches of the curb or edge of the road, and at least 2 feet away from the parked vehicles.”
17. In the context of 'Compromise Space,' how should a driver adjust their position when facing oncoming cars on the left and a child on a bike on the right?
Answer: Move closer to the center line to create a bigger space cushion to the right. The handbook advises prioritizing the greater danger (the child) by shifting position toward the less dangerous side (oncoming cars) to maximize space for the child.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 51: “Move closer to the center line and the oncoming cars to create a bigger space cushion to the right.”
18. Why might a driver use hand signals in addition to turn signals?
Answer: When bright sunlight makes flashing turn signals hard to see. The handbook lists bright sunlight obscuring lights and antique vehicles lacking signals as reasons to use hand signals.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 53: “An example would be when bright sunlight can make it hard for other drivers to see flashing turn signals, or when driving an antique vehicle (one manufactured before July 1, 1958) that may not be equipped with turn signals.”
19. What is the primary reason articulated buses require extra space when turning?
Answer: Their rear end swings out into traffic by approximately 3 feet. Drivers need to allow extra room because the rear of an articulated bus swings outward during turns.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 61: “Articulated buses present an additional hazard due to tail swing, where the rear of the bus "swings" out into traffic. The swing on articulated buses is approximately 3 feet.”
20. Why is it unsafe to hold a child on your lap with a belt around both of you?
Answer: The child's weight increases the force on the belt, potentially causing serious injury. The handbook explains that collision forces increase the adult's effective weight, pressing the belt into the child and causing injury.
South Dakota driver handbook, page 24: “Your own weight greatly increased by collision forces would press the belt deeply into the child's body; this could lead to serious or even fatal injuries.”