South Dakota's Teen Driving Laws: A 2025 Guide for Parents and New Drivers

For teenagers in South Dakota, getting a driver's license is a major step toward independence. For parents, it's a time of both excitement and new responsibility. To help ensure this transition is as safe as possible, South Dakota has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. This system is not designed to be an obstacle; it's a proven method for reducing teen driver crashes by phasing in driving privileges as they gain critical experience.

Understanding these laws is essential for both teens and parents to ensure safety, avoid violations, and protect that newly earned license. Here is a clear guide to South Dakota's teen driving laws for 2025.

The Purpose of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for American teenagers. This is largely due to inexperience combined with high-risk factors, such as driving at night and being distracted by friends in the car. South Dakota's GDL program directly addresses these risks by placing common-sense limits on new drivers, allowing them to build skills in a safer, more controlled environment before granting full freedom.

The program has distinct stages, each with its own set of rules.

Stage 1: The Instruction Permit (Age 14+)

This is the very first step, where all on-road driving practice begins. A teen must be at least 14 years old to apply for an instruction permit.

Key Permit Restrictions:

Constant Supervision: A permit holder must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is seated in the front passenger seat.
Cell Phone Ban: It is illegal for a permit holder to use any wireless communication device while driving.

Stage 2: The Restricted Minor's Permit

After holding an instruction permit for a required period and passing a road test, a teen can earn a Restricted Minor's Permit. This is a significant step, as it allows for unsupervised driving, but with critical safety restrictions in place.

Eligibility Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old.
Must have passed a road test.
Must have held an instruction permit for at least 180 days (or 90 days if a state-approved driver's ed course was completed).
Must have remained free of traffic convictions during that time.

Restricted Permit Restriction 1: Driving Curfew

Nighttime driving is statistically the most dangerous time for new, inexperienced drivers. The GDL curfew directly addresses this risk.

Curfew Hours: A restricted permit holder is prohibited from driving between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Exception: The curfew does not apply if the teen is accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian in the front seat.

Restricted Permit Restriction 2: Passenger Limits

Research consistently shows that a teen driver's crash risk increases dramatically with each additional peer passenger in the vehicle. South Dakota's law is designed to minimize this distraction.

For the First 6 Months: A restricted permit holder may not transport any passengers who are not members of their immediate family.
After the First 6 Months: The passenger limit increases to ONE passenger who is not a member of the immediate family.
The Exception: The passenger limitation does not apply at any time if a parent or legal guardian is in the vehicle's front seat.

Restricted Permit Restriction 3: Cell Phones

The ban on using any wireless communication device (including for texting or talking on the phone) continues through the entire restricted permit phase. This is a primary offense, meaning an officer can pull a teen over just for this violation.

The Final Step: The Full Operator's License

The final stage of the GDL program is earning a full, unrestricted license.

Eligibility: A driver can obtain a full operator's license once they turn 16 years old, provided they have successfully held a restricted permit for at least six months and have been free of traffic convictions during that time.
Lifting Restrictions: Upon getting the full license, the GDL restrictions on curfew, passengers, and cell phone use are lifted.

The Parent's Role is Crucial

The GDL laws provide a legal framework, but parental involvement is the key to success.

Supervise Practice: Ensure your teen gets practice in a variety of conditions—day, night, good weather, and bad.
Set Ground Rules: Create a parent-teen driving agreement that outlines your specific household rules, which can be even stricter than the state's laws.
Lead by Example: Your own driving habits are a powerful teacher. Model the safe and responsible behavior you expect from your teen.

By working together, parents and teens can navigate the GDL process successfully, building the skills and judgment needed for a lifetime of safe driving.