South Dakota Instruction Permit Driving Restrictions: No Solo, No Phone, Parent-Only After 10 PM

A South Dakota Instruction Permit comes with restrictions that apply on every road, in every parking lot, and through every drive-thru. No solo driving ever.

No wireless devices. And after 10 PM, only your parent or legal guardian qualifies as supervisor - not a friend's parent, not an older sibling.

Download the GDL Pamphletand the Supervised Driving Logbefore your first practice drive. Seatbelts are required for all occupants under 18 in both front and back seats. A first violation suspends your instruction permit for 30 days if you are under 16; a second suspends it for 180 days or until your 16th birthday, whichever is longer.

South Dakota Instruction Permit Core Rule: No Solo Driving, Ever

A qualified supervising driver must be in the front passenger seat at all times - no exceptions for short distances, familiar routes, or emergencies. Seatbelts are required for all occupants under 18.

• This rule applies on all public roads including freeways, school zones, and drive-thrus
• Moving a vehicle in a parking lot counts as driving and requires a supervisor
• Driving to school, work, or in an emergency is not an exception - the supervisor must be present

Supervision Is Always Required for a South Dakota Permit Holder

Any licensed adult 18 or older with at least one year of experience must supervise in the front seat. For full supervisor eligibility rules, time-of-day restrictions, and legal responsibilities, see the South Dakota permit supervisor rules guide.

• [YES] Qualified Daytime Supervisor (6 AM-10 PM):At least 18 years old, valid license, one year of driving experience, seated in the front passenger seat
• [YES] Night Supervision (10 PM-6 AM):If you are under 18, only your parent or legal guardian qualifies - no exceptions for friends' parents or other adults
• Supervisor Responsibility:The supervisor is legally responsible for the vehicle. A texting or distracted supervisor can be cited for inattentive supervision - and you can be cited for driving with an unqualified supervisor

Where and When Can You Drive with a South Dakota Instruction Permit?

SD permit holders may only drive between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM regardless of supervisor. Freeways, city streets, and rural roads are all permitted with a qualified adult in the front seat.

You must log 10 hours of night driving (10 PM counts as night for logging purposes) to advance under the GDL program. Use the official Supervised Driving Log- apps can track time but you must print a physical copy for your road test appointment.

South Dakota Permit Passenger and Cell Phone Restrictions

Zero wireless device use is permitted for SD permit holders - no calls, texts, or navigation even hands-free. A first violation suspends the permit 30 days if the driver is under 16.

• [NO] Cell Phone Ban:Zero wireless device use while driving - calls, texts, navigation. Hands-free is still prohibited for permit holders under the zero-tolerance rule.
• Passenger Limits:No legal passenger cap exists for the instruction permit phase itself, but the supervisor must always be in the front seat. The restriction on non-family passengers applies to the Restricted Minor's Permit that follows.

For full South Dakota GDL restrictions, required practice hours, and supervisor rules, see the South Dakota Learner's Permit guide on shoro.ai.