How many hours you must drive in South Dakota

South Dakota requires 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). These hours are a legal requirement, not a recommendation — you cannot test without them, and the Department of Public Safety will ask to see your logbook as proof.

The 50-hour requirement applies to anyone under 18 who holds a learner's permit. If you are 18 or older when you get your permit, South Dakota does not mandate a specific number of hours, though practicing before your test is still a good idea. The night-driving requirement exists regardless of your age.

You must log every hour you drive with a licensed adult in the car. South Dakota does not provide an official logbook form, but you can create your own or use a template — the Department of Public Safety straightforward needs to see a record with the date, time of day, location, and hours driven. Handwritten logs are acceptable.

Key Takeaways

  • You must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours at night, before you can test for your license in South Dakota.
  • A licensed adult must be in the car with you during all practice driving, and you must keep a written log of each session.
  • South Dakota does not provide an official logbook, so you can write your own record or print a template from a driving school website.
  • You will need to show your completed logbook to the Department of Public Safety when you schedule your road test.

Who can supervise your driving hours

The supervising adult must hold a valid driver's license and be at least 18 years old. They do not have to be a parent or guardian — any licensed adult can sit in the passenger seat while you practice. Many teens use parents, older siblings, driving instructors, or trusted family friends.

The supervisor must be physically able to exercise control of the vehicle if needed. This means they should be alert, sober, and capable of reaching the brake pedal or steering wheel. If you are pulled over during practice, the officer will check that your supervisor meets these basic requirements.

When and where you can practice

You can drive on public roads during daylight and nighttime hours, as long as you are supervised. South Dakota does not restrict practice to certain times of day or certain types of roads — you can practice on highways, rural roads, and city streets. However, you cannot drive alone, and you cannot drive between midnight and 4 a.m. (this is a restriction of the learner's permit itself, separate from the hour requirement).

The night-driving hours must be logged between sunset and sunrise. If you start driving at 6 p.m. and the sun sets at 7 p.m., only the time after sunset counts toward your 10 required night hours. Keep track of sunset times in your area so you log accurately — the National Weather Service website lists sunset times by location.

How to track and record your hours

Create a straightforward log with columns for date, start time, end time, location or route, and total hours. You can use a notebook, a spreadsheet, or a printed template. Each entry should show the date you drove, what time you started and stopped, where you practiced (for example, "residential streets in Sioux Falls" or "Highway 29 to Brandon"), and how many hours that session was.

Separate your night hours from your daytime hours so you can easily show that you have completed the 10-hour night requirement. For example, write "Night: 2 hours" or "Day: 3 hours" in a column, or use a highlighter to mark night sessions. When you have 50 total hours with at least 10 at night, you are ready to schedule your test.

Keep your logbook with you or at home where you can update it after each practice session. The Department of Public Safety will ask to see it when you arrive for your road test. If your log is missing or incomplete, you may not be allowed to test that day.

What happens when you have completed your hours

Once you have logged 50 hours (with 10 at night), contact your local Department of Public Safety office to schedule your road test. You will need to bring your learner's permit, your logbook, proof of identity, and proof of residency. The office will verify your hours before you take the test.

The road test itself takes about 30 to 40 minutes. An examiner will ride with you and evaluate your ability to handle basic driving tasks — starting and stopping smoothly, turning, parking, merging, and following traffic laws. If you pass, you will receive your regular driver's license. If you do not pass, you can retake the test after a waiting period (usually a few days to a week).

If you use a driving school

Some teens take a professional driving course instead of or in addition to practicing with a family member. Driving schools in South Dakota can provide classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. If your school logs hours on your behalf, make sure you receive a copy of that log — you will still need to show it to the Department of Public Safety.

Professional instruction counts toward your 50-hour requirement. However, you still need to complete any remaining hours with a licensed adult supervisor. For example, if a driving school provides 10 hours of instruction, you still need to log 40 more hours with a parent or other licensed adult.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not drive without a licensed adult in the car, even for a short trip. This violates your learner's permit and can result in a ticket. Do not let your supervisor fall asleep or become distracted — they need to be alert in case you need guidance or the vehicle needs to be controlled.

Do not forget to log your hours when ready after you drive. If you wait weeks to fill in your logbook, you may forget details or lose track of how many night hours you have completed. Write down the date, time, and location while the information is fresh.

Do not assume that all 50 hours can be night hours. You must have at least 10 night hours, but the other 40 can be daytime. However, spreading your practice across different times of day and different road types will make you a safer driver and better prepared for your test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I count driving school hours toward my 50 hours?

Yes. Hours logged by a professional driving school count toward your 50-hour requirement. However, you must receive a copy of the school's logbook to show the Department of Public Safety. If you do not complete all 50 hours at the school, you will need to finish the remaining hours with a licensed adult.

What if I turn 18 before I finish my 50 hours?

If you turn 18, the 50-hour requirement no longer applies to you. However, you still need to pass the road test to get your license. Many people continue logging hours anyway because the practice makes them safer and more confident drivers.

Do I have to do all 10 night hours in a row, or can I split them up?

You can split your 10 night hours across multiple driving sessions. For example, you could do 2 hours one week and 3 hours the next week. Each session just needs to occur between sunset and sunrise to count as a night hour.

What if I lose my logbook before my road test?

Contact the Department of Public Safety office where you plan to test and explain the situation. You may be able to recreate your log with dates and hours if you can remember them, or you may need to redo some of your practice hours. It is best to keep your logbook in a safe place and make a copy as backup.

Can my learner's permit hours count if I am practicing in another state?

Yes. Hours you log while supervised and driving legally in another state count toward your South Dakota requirement. However, you must still follow South Dakota's rules — 50 hours total with at least 10 at night — and you must have a licensed adult in the car.