South Dakota Instruction Permit Restrictions: Supervision, Night Driving & Phone Rules

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. If you are under 18, the supervision rule changes after 10 PM: only your parent or legal guardian may supervise until 6 AM.

Drivers under 18 must complete the required supervised practice before upgrading. Violating permit conditions can lead to suspension; detailed practice-hour and penalty rules belong in the dedicated South Dakota permit guides.

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

For an under-18 permit holder, a qualified licensed adult age 18 or older with at least one year of driving experience may supervise from 6 AM to 10 PM and must sit beside the driver. From 10 PM to 6 AM, the supervisor must be the permit holder's parent or guardian.

For the full supervisor rules and related permit requirements, see the South Dakota permit driving rules guide.

Where South Dakota Permit Holders May Drive

South Dakota permit holders may practice on freeways, city streets, and rural roads when the applicable supervision rule is met. The time-specific supervision rules are covered above.

Can a South Dakota Instruction Permit Holder Drive After 10 PM?

Yes, if the driver is under 18 and the vehicle is operated under the direction of the permit holder's parent or guardian seated beside them. A different licensed adult does not satisfy the 10 PM-6 AM rule for a minor instruction-permit holder. See SDCL 32-12-11.

Drivers under 18 also have supervised-practice requirements before upgrading. See the South Dakota permit driving rules guide for the practice-hour breakdown.

Do South Dakota Instruction Permit Restrictions Change After Age 18?

The parent-or-guardian-only 10 PM-6 AM rule and the minor GDL practice-hour requirements discussed above are written for drivers under 18. If you are 18 or older, follow the conditions on your credential and current South Dakota DPS instructions rather than applying the minor-only GDL rules to yourself.

Can I Use a South Dakota Instruction Permit in Another State?

Do not assume South Dakota permit rules carry over unchanged. The state where you are driving controls whether it recognizes an out-of-state instruction permit and what supervision rules apply. Check that state's licensing agency before driving there.

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. Violating permit conditions can lead to suspension, with the exact consequence depending on the driver's age and offense.

• [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.