Reference only — confirm with the DMV
How South Dakota phases teens into driving
South Dakota lets a teen begin with a supervised learner's permit at 14 — one of the earliest learner's-permit ages in the country — and requires 50 hours of supervised practice — close to the ~50-hour national norm before the restricted intermediate license, which starts at 14 years, 9 months (14y6m with driver ed). During that intermediate stage, South Dakota imposes a nighttime driving restriction (10 p.m.–6 a.m.) and one of the strictest passenger rules in the country — no teen passengers at all during the intermediate stage.
Those two intermediate-stage limits — night driving and teen passengers — target the exact conditions that cause the most teen crashes, which is why states with stronger versions see measurably fewer. For a South Dakota family, staying inside them isn't just about compliance: a clean record through the intermediate stage is also the surest way to keep the (already steep) cost of adding a teen driver from climbing further.
South Dakota GDL requirements at a glance
Learner's permit — minimum age
14
Mandatory permit holding period
9 months (6 with driver ed)
Supervised practice required
50 hours
Intermediate license — minimum age
14 years, 9 months (14y6m with driver ed)
Nighttime driving restriction
10 p.m.–6 a.m.
Passenger restriction
First 6 months: no passengers; thereafter no more than 1 younger than 18
Cutting the cost of insuring a South Dakota teen
Adding a teen is one of the biggest premium jumps a household faces. Beyond staying inside South Dakota's GDL rules, the reliable levers are:
- •Ask about the good-student discount (usually a B average or better) and a driver-training discount for completing driver education.
- •Keep the teen on a household multi-car policy rather than a standalone one, and put them on the lower-value car.
- •Consider a telematics/usage-based program if your teen drives safely — several reward low-mileage, low-risk driving.
- •Compare several insurers for your exact South Dakota address — teen surcharges vary widely by carrier.
Teen Driver Laws in South Dakota — FAQ
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in South Dakota?
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In South Dakota, a teen can apply for a learner's permit at 14. The permit must generally be held for 9 months (6 with driver ed) before moving to the intermediate (restricted) license, and the teen must complete 50 hours of supervised practice. Confirm the current requirement with the South Dakota DMV.
What are the intermediate-license restrictions for teen drivers in South Dakota?
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During South Dakota's intermediate stage, driving is restricted during the hours of 10 p.m.–6 a.m., and the passenger rule is: First 6 months: no passengers; thereafter no more than 1 younger than 18. These restrictions typically lift when the teen earns a full license; confirm the specifics and end dates with the South Dakota DMV.
Does following South Dakota's GDL rules affect car insurance?
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Indirectly. GDL restrictions exist because teen drivers have the highest crash rates, and crashes and tickets are what raise premiums. A South Dakota teen who violates a restriction (driving after curfew or with too many passengers) risks a ticket and a licensing penalty, and completing supervised practice and, where offered, driver education can qualify for a good-student or driver-training discount.
Related guides and tools
Sarah Mitchell
Editorial Lead, Property & Casualty
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed July 2026
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