South Dakota Restricted Permit at 14

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

South Dakota issues its restricted permit - the state's version of a learner's permit - starting at age 14, one of the youngest in the United States alongside Iowa, North Dakota, Kansas, and Arkansas. The permit lets a teenager practice driving with a licensed adult before applying for a Restricted Minor Permit at 14 years and 6 months.

Eligibility

To qualify for a South Dakota restricted permit you must be at least 14 years old, have a parent or legal guardian sign the application acknowledging financial responsibility, and pass the SD DPS vision screening and knowledge exam. There is no driver education requirement at this stage, although approved courses can shorten timelines later in the Restricted Minor Permit phase.

Where to apply

Restricted permits are issued at any of the SD DPS driver licensing exam stations. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, Watertown, and Pierre run full-time stations; smaller communities have offices that operate on a limited weekly or monthly schedule. Bring the teenager and the parent or legal guardian; both have to sign the application together at the counter unless the parent provides a notarized consent form using the SD-EX-101 instructions.

Documents required

Proof of identity - certified U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport.
Proof of Social Security number - Social Security card, W-2, or SSA-1099.
Two proofs of South Dakota residency dated within the last year - utility bill, school enrollment, parent's mortgage statement, or property tax notice.
The completed SD-EX-101 driver license application with the parental consent section signed.
Permit fee (commonly $13).

The knowledge exam

The 25-question knowledge exam at the permit stage is identical to the one used for full operator licenses. The applicant must score at least 80% (no more than 5 missed) and is given two on-the-spot retakes if needed. The exam draws from the South Dakota Driver License Manual; popular study tools include the SD DPS sample questions and online practice tests. Topics include right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections, school-bus stop laws, snow and ice driving, and the 0.02% BAC threshold for under-21 drivers.

Restrictions while on the permit

A restricted permit holder may drive only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old and seated next to the permit holder. The supervising driver must have at least one year of valid driving experience. The permit holder cannot use a wireless device while driving (hands-free is also restricted at the permit and Restricted Minor Permit stages). All occupants must wear a seat belt.

Holding the permit for 90 days

South Dakota requires the restricted permit to be held for at least 90 days before the teen can apply for a Restricted Minor Permit at 14 years and 6 months. The holding period is meant to ensure that the teen has practiced supervised driving across multiple weather conditions and times of day. Many South Dakota families log practice hours in a notebook or app even though the state does not require a formal supervised-hours sheet at this stage.

What happens if the permit lapses

The restricted permit is valid for 1 year. If the permit holder does not move on to a Restricted Minor Permit before the permit expires, they can renew the permit at any exam station with a small fee. The permit does not roll over automatically. If the holder accumulates a moving violation conviction during the permit period, the 90-day holding clock can reset or the permit can be canceled - SD DPS reviews each case under SDCL Title 32.

From restricted permit to a full license

The South Dakota progression is unusually fast. A teen who gets a restricted permit at age 14 can hold it 90 days, qualify for the Restricted Minor Permit at 14.5, drive for one year with that intermediate credential, and apply for a full operator license at age 16 - faster than in most other states. Insurance carriers in South Dakota price young drivers high during the permit and Restricted Minor Permit stages; see South Dakota car insurance for what to expect.