South Dakota Restricted Minor Permit (Teen License)

After 90 days on a restricted permit, a South Dakota teen can apply for the Restricted Minor Permit at age 14 years and 6 months. This is the state's version of an intermediate or "graduated" license. It lets a young driver operate a vehicle alone during daytime hours and lays the groundwork for a full operator license at 16.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Restricted Minor Permit, the teen must:

• Be at least 14 years and 6 months old.
• Have held a South Dakota restricted permit for at least 90 days.
• Pass the road skills test administered by SD DPS.
• Have a parent or legal guardian sign the financial responsibility and consent section of form SD-EX-101.
• Have no moving violation conviction during the 90-day permit period (otherwise the wait can extend).

The road skills test

The Restricted Minor Permit road test runs roughly 15-20 minutes at any SD DPS exam station. The examiner evaluates pre-drive vehicle inspection, signaling, lane changes, right and left turns, parallel or angle parking depending on station, three-point turns, and stopping smoothly at controlled intersections. The teen must use their own vehicle (or a borrowed one) with valid registration and insurance and may not bring a passenger other than the parent during the test.

Daytime driving rules

The Restricted Minor Permit is fundamentally a daytime credential with limited night exceptions. A holder may drive solo:

• Between sunrise and sunset under most circumstances.
• For employment purposes, even at night, with documentation from the employer.
• To and from school events sponsored by an accredited school.
• To and from religious services and youth-organization meetings.
• For agricultural and ranching work between the family's residence and the family's farm operation.

Any other nighttime driving requires a licensed adult age 18 or older in the front passenger seat. The agricultural exception is broader in South Dakota than in most states because of the role driving plays in family ranching operations.

Passenger and device restrictions

A Restricted Minor Permit holder cannot use a wireless device, including hands-free, while driving. The state recommends limiting other passengers under 18 during the first months on the permit, although there is no hard cap on passenger count under SDCL § 32-12. All occupants must wear a seat belt, and the driver is responsible for ensuring compliance for any passenger under 18.

Holding the Restricted Minor Permit for one year

A Restricted Minor Permit holder must hold the credential without a moving violation conviction for at least one year (or until age 16) before applying for a full operator license. Even one moving violation conviction can reset the clock and add another six months at the discretion of SD DPS. The standard is strict: it incentivizes teens to drive cleanly and gives parents a real benchmark to track.

What happens with a violation

South Dakota does not run a traditional point system, so violations on a Restricted Minor Permit are tracked as conviction counts. Two convictions can lead to a 30-day administrative suspension; three or more can lead to revocation of the permit and a longer wait before the teen can apply for a full operator license. Traffic tickets earned during the permit period stay visible on the SD DPS driver record for at least 5 years.

Graduating to a full operator license

At age 16, a teen who has held a clean Restricted Minor Permit can apply for a full operator license at any exam station with no additional road test required. The teen brings the SD-EX-101, the parent's continuing financial responsibility section, and the standard fee. The new license is issued on a 3-year cycle until age 21, then converts to the standard 5-year adult renewal schedule.