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South Dakota Permit Hours: How Many You Need and How to Track Them
To get your license in South Dakota, you’ll need 50 hours of supervised driving. 10 of those have to be at night.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 50 |
| Night hours | 10 |
| Bad weather hours | 10 |
| Minimum permit age | 14 |
| Permit hold period | 9 months |
| Supervisor minimum age | 21 |
| Driver education required | No |
Night driving rules
South Dakota uses a fixed window: 10 PM to 6 AM. No guessing about sunset times. Any driving during that window counts toward your 10 night hours.
What your supervisor needs to know
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. They need to sit in the front passenger seat and be ready to take over at any time.
Bad weather driving
You’ll need 10 hours of driving in bad weather. Rain, snow, sleet, fog, or heavy wind all qualify. Don’t try to force it by driving in dangerous conditions. Just don’t skip a practice session because it’s drizzling, either.
Curfew restrictions
Permit holders in South Dakota can’t drive between 10 PM and 6 AM. This is a hard rule, not a suggestion. Getting pulled over during curfew hours with a learner’s permit can mean a citation.
Tracking your hours
You could track your hours on paper. But you won’t. Moda logs every session automatically and breaks it down by day, night, and weather conditions so you’re never guessing how many hours you have left.
How many supervised driving hours does South Dakota require?
South Dakota requires 50 total supervised driving hours, with 10 of those at night.
What counts as night driving in South Dakota?
Night driving in South Dakota is defined as 10 pm to 6 am. You’ll need 10 hours of night driving.
How long do I need to hold my permit in South Dakota?
You’ll need to hold your learner’s permit for at least 9 months before you can apply for your license.