South Dakota Car / Permit practice
South Dakota Car / Permit: Signals & Pavement Markings practice test
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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Study questions with answers
12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
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1. You approach an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark and unlit. How must you treat it?
Correct answer: Treat it the same as a stop sign
A dark or red signal is handled just as a stop sign would be.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
2. What does a steady red arrow require of you?
Correct answer: You must stop and may not go the way the arrow points
You must stop and may not travel the way the arrow points until it goes out and a green light or green arrow appears.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
3. The light turns yellow while your vehicle is already inside the intersection. What should you do?
Correct answer: Keep going and clear the intersection
Do not stop there; keep going and clear the intersection.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
4. What does a flashing yellow traffic light tell an approaching driver?
Correct answer: Reduce speed and go on carefully
Reduce speed and go through the intersection carefully.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
5. At a steady red light where you are not turning, when may you move ahead?
Correct answer: Once the light shows green and no crossing traffic remains
You wait for the light to show green and for crossing traffic to clear before going.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
6. What must happen before you turn right on a red light in South Dakota?
Correct answer: A full stop and yielding to all other traffic and pedestrians
You come to a full halt first, then give way to everyone in the way, including people on foot and on bicycles, and complete the turn in your own lane, provided no sign bans the turn.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
7. How can you recognize a pedestrian hybrid beacon before anyone has activated it?
Correct answer: A pair of red lenses set over one yellow lens, none of them lit
Its head holds two red lenses above one yellow lens and stays unlit until someone presses the call button to cross.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)
8. A green left-turn arrow changes to a steady yellow arrow. What is that telling you?
Correct answer: The protected turn is ending, so prepare to stop and yield
The protected part of the turn is finishing, so get ready to stop and give way to oncoming vehicles before turning.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Traffic Signals
9. A dashed white line separates the lanes on a road where all traffic moves the same way. What does it allow?
Correct answer: Passing and changing lanes
Lane changes and passing are permitted across that marking.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Pavement Markings
10. A lane in the middle of the road is bordered on each side by a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line, with left-turn arrows painted for both directions. How may you use it?
Correct answer: Only for left turns by traffic going either direction
That center lane exists only for left turns, and for U-turns where they are legal, by drivers heading either way.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Shared Center Lane
11. What do two solid yellow lines painted down the middle of a two-way road mean?
Correct answer: Passing is forbidden in both directions
Neither direction of traffic may pass where that marking runs.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Rules of the Road, Pavement Markings
12. Which arm position is the correct hand signal for a right turn?
Correct answer: Arm out with the hand pointing up
The arm goes out the window with the hand pointed upward; pointing straight out means a left turn and pointing down means slowing or stopping.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual — Safe Driving Tips, Communicating
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Every South Dakota question is written from the official South Dakota driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free