South Dakota (SD) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lists 16 as the optimal age for teens to begin any given Graduated Driver Licensing program. While many states across the nation agree, and have set the minimum age at 16, South Dakota’s minimum age requirement remains at 14 – one of the lowest in the nation. The good news is, the state of South Dakota does have its own Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system in place and parents play an important part in program. Continue to the next section to learn more about South Dakota’s teen driving laws.

South Dakota Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

South Dakota’s Graduated Driver Licensing system begins with an instruction permit and ends with a unrestricted South Dakota Operators license. To begin the process to full licensure, you must be at least 14 years of age. Your parent or legal guardian must accompany you to the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles to assist you during the application process and to sign the application and/or consent form. You must bring the following items with you:

•    Social security card
•    Proof of age
•    Proof of identity

In addition to parental consent, and the documents listed above, you must pass a written exam on traffic signs, safe driving techniques, and South Dakota motor vehicle laws. You will also have to pass a vision screening. Once you receive your learner’s permit, you must hold it for at least 6 months before applying for a restricted driving permit – the next stage in South Dakota’s GDL system. In order to increase your chances of passing the written exam on the first try, it is a good idea to complete a state approved driver education course. Another benefit to completing a driver education course is it allows you to apply for your restricted license after only 3 months instead of 6.

Once you have satisfied all of the requirements of the learner’s permit, and you have remained violation free for at least 6 months prior to application, you may move forward to the restricted licensing stage. To apply you must provide the same documentation listed above and you must pass another vision screening, written test, and a driving test.

To apply for an unrestricted South Dakota operator license, you must be at least 16 years of age. You must pass anoeople with Auto Insurancether vision exam and a written exam. You will also have to take another driving test. If you have any convictions or traffic violations on your record 6 months prior to application, you cannot apply for an unrestricted license. It is up to the SD Division of Motor Vehicles to determine when you will be permitted to apply. Once you receive your operator license, it will be valid for 5 years.

South Dakota Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

Under the conditions of the learner’s permit, you must drive with a licensed driver, age 18 or older, seated in the passenger seat next to you at all times. The supervising driver must have at least one year of driving experience.

Under the conditions of the restricted license, the licensee may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. without adult supervision. The parent or legal guardian of the licensee must be seated in the front passenger seat at all times. Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., the licensee may drive alone with the written consent of the parent or legal guardian.

If you violate any of the conditions of the learner’s license permit or the restricted license, your licensing will be delayed. In some cases, your driving privileges may be suspended until your 18th birthday.

South Dakota Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of South Dakota, there are no restrictions on cell phone use. Anti-texting legislation was considered during the 2009 sessions, but a law has yet to be passed. House Bill 1125 (HB 1125) would have banned text messaging by all drivers. The bill was shot down n February 19, 2009. While there are currently no real limits on cell phone use while driving in the state of South Dakota, all drivers, especially beginners and teens, should use common sense when it comes to talking on a cell phone or texting while driving. Pull over to a safe place if you must make or take a call.

South Dakota Teen DUI Laws

In the state of South Dakota, it is a crime for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict a South Dakota teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, your license will be suspended for 30 days and you will have to pay a fine of up to $1,000 for a first offense.

South Dakota Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

Whether you are an adult or a teen, in the state of South Dakota you must carry auto insurance. South Dakota requires minimum auto liability insurance coverage in the amount of 25/50/25. This means that all drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 bodily injury liability for one injured person in an accident, $50,000 bodily injury liability total for all injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. In addition, South Dakota drivers must carry $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UMI).

Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, South Dakota auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year. The average increase is around $2,171 a year.