South Dakota learner's permit hour requirements
South Dakota requires you to complete 50 hours of supervised driving before you can take the road test for a regular driver's license. Of those 50 hours, at least 10 must occur at night (between sunset and sunrise). You must be at least 14 years old to get a learner's permit, and you must hold it for a minimum of 14 days before you can test for your license.
These hours are a legal requirement, not a suggestion. The state tracks them through a form you complete and sign, and you'll need to show proof of those hours when you go to take your driving test at the Department of Public Safety. If you haven't completed the 50 hours, the testing station will not let you test.
The 14-day waiting period exists separately from the hours requirement. This means you could theoretically complete all 50 hours in a single week, but you still cannot test until 14 days have passed since you received your permit. In practice, most people spread the hours across several weeks or months.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete 50 total hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours happening at night between sunset and sunrise.
- Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license.
- You must wait a minimum of 14 days from the date you receive your learner's permit before you can take the road test, even if you finish your hours early.
- You will need to bring a signed form documenting your hours to your road test appointment at the Department of Public Safety.
- Night driving hours count toward your total only if they occur between sunset and sunrise, so winter months may make it easier to accumulate them quickly.
Who can supervise your driving hours
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and must hold a valid driver's license. They do not need to be a parent or family member — a friend, teacher, or any licensed adult can supervise. However, they must be sitting in the front passenger seat next to you while you drive.
The supervising driver is responsible for making sure you're practicing safely and following all the rules that come with your learner's permit. They should be alert and able to take control of the vehicle if needed, so they cannot be impaired or distracted while supervising.
How to document and track your hours
South Dakota provides an official Supervised Driving Log that you and your supervising driver must complete together. You can get this form from the Department of Public Safety website or pick one up in person at any licensing office. Each time you drive, you record the date, the number of hours, whether it was daytime or nighttime, and the supervising driver's signature.
Both you and your supervising driver must sign the form. This is not optional — unsigned hours do not count. Keep the form safe because you will need to bring the original or a copy to your road test appointment. If you lose it, you may have to start over or provide another form signed by the same supervising drivers confirming the hours you completed.
Some people take photos of their signed log as a backup, which is a practical step if you're worried about losing the original. The testing station will ask to see it before you test, so plan to have it with you.
Night driving hours and how they're counted
Of your 50 required hours, at least 10 must be completed between sunset and sunrise. This means you need to know the exact sunset and sunrise times for South Dakota on the days you drive. The Department of Public Safety does not specify which source to use for these times, but the National Weather Service or a standard weather app will give you accurate local times.
If you drive from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on a day when sunset was 6:45 p.m., the entire 1.5 hours counts as night driving. If you drive from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the same day, only the 1 hour and 15 minutes after sunset counts. You and your supervising driver should note which hours are night hours on your log so there's no confusion at test time.
Winter is often the easiest season to accumulate night hours because sunset comes early — sometimes before 5:00 p.m. in December. Summer requires driving much later in the evening to log night hours.
What happens if you don't complete the hours before testing
If you show up to take your road test without completing all 50 hours, the testing station will not allow you to test. You will have to reschedule your appointment and come back once you have finished the hours and can provide proof. This means paying another testing fee and waiting for another appointment slot, which can take weeks depending on how busy your local office is.
There is no exception to the 50-hour requirement. The state does not waive it for any reason, so it's important to plan ahead and start your hours early enough that you have them done well before your test date.
Restrictions while you hold a learner's permit
While you're working on your hours, your learner's permit comes with rules beyond just needing a supervising driver. You cannot drive alone, you cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m., and you must follow all traffic laws. You also cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except in a genuine emergency.
These restrictions stay in place for the entire time you hold the learner's permit — they don't change as you accumulate hours. Once you pass your road test and receive your regular driver's license, these restrictions end, though some states have additional restrictions for new drivers under 18.
How to schedule your road test
Once you have completed your 50 hours and waited the 14-day minimum, you can schedule your road test through the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. You can book online through their website or call your local licensing office. You will need to bring your learner's permit, proof of your hours (the signed Supervised Driving Log), and a vehicle that is registered and insured.
The vehicle you use for your test must be safe and in working condition. The examiner will do a quick safety check before the test begins, looking at things like brakes, lights, wipers, and mirrors. If the vehicle fails this check, you won't be able to test that day.
Bring all required documents and arrive early. Testing stations are often busy, and arriving late can result in your appointment being cancelled. You'll need to pay a testing fee at the time of your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I count hours from driving in another state toward my South Dakota requirement?
No. South Dakota requires that your 50 hours be completed in South Dakota with a supervising driver who holds a valid driver's license. Hours from other states do not transfer. If you recently moved to South Dakota, you will need to start your hours over.
Do I have to complete all 50 hours before the 14 days are up?
No. The 14-day waiting period and the 50-hour requirement are separate. You could complete all 50 hours in the first week, but you still cannot test until day 14. Conversely, you could wait until day 13 to start your hours and test on day 28 or later. Most people spread the hours across several weeks.
What if my supervising driver moves or I need a different person to supervise?
You can have multiple supervising drivers. Each one signs the log for the hours they supervised. There's no limit to how many different licensed adults can supervise your hours, so you can switch drivers as needed.
Can I count driving for a job or delivery toward my hours?
Only if a licensed supervising driver is sitting in the front passenger seat next to you the entire time. Driving alone for work does not count, even if it's on public roads. The supervising driver requirement applies to all 50 hours.
What if I lose my Supervised Driving Log?
Contact the supervising drivers who signed it and ask them to sign a new form confirming the hours they supervised. You can also contact the Department of Public Safety to ask about their process for replacing a lost log. Have the names and contact information of your supervising drivers ready before you lose the original.