Failed the South Dakota permit test: when you can retake it
Failing the written test is common and fixable. Here is what South Dakota says about retaking it, and a plan for the next attempt.
- How soon you can retake
- next working day
- Attempts
- 3 opportunities per fee within 6 months
- Retest fee
- fee allows three attempts in a 6-month period; after that fee repaid
- After repeated failures
- After 3 failures in a 6-month period, the fee will need to be repaid
From the official source
If you fail any of the tests, you may not re-test before the next working day. You are allowed 3 opportunities to test for each fee paid within a 6-month period. After 3 failures in a 6-month period, the fee will need to be repaid.
Before your next attempt
- Write down the topics you got wrong: signs, right-of-way, speed limits, alcohol rules, distances. The retest usually draws from the same pool.
- Reread only those chapters of the official South Dakota handbook, not the whole book.
- Take our South Dakota practice tests until you score 90% or more three times in a row — the real pass mark is lower, so that is a safe margin.
- Use the mistake review: it shows only the questions you missed, with the handbook section for each.
- The night before, do one exam simulation and stop. Sleep beats cramming.
Practice for the retakeReview my mistakes
Checked on October 25, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the DMV.