South Dakota driving guide

Understanding the driving rules in South Dakota is vital before you start your trip through the Mount Rushmore State. Check out tips and guidelines from Hertz’s driving guide for all the info you could need when renting a car in South Dakota. 

Jump to a section:

• Quick rules of the road
• Speed limits
• Toll roads
• Driving ages
• Essential equipment
• Speed violations
• Driving with children
• Gas prices
• Electric car charging
• Driving between South Dakota and other states
• Driving conditions 

Quick rules of the road

• Right of way –
  • If an emergency vehicle has its lights and sirens on, they automatically get right of way.
  • You should always yield to pedestrians on crosswalks, or when entering a street from an alley, parking lot or driveway.
  • When turning left, you must yield to traffic driving straight on.
  • At intersections, the right of way is for the driver on your right. If the lights are in your favor but moving ahead could mean you’re still in the intersection when they change back, do not proceed.

• Headlights must be turned on 30 minutes after sunset and you may turn them off 30 minutes before sunrise. You will also need to use them when driving in bad weather and when visibility is poor. If you’re using your windshield wipers, your lights should be on.
• You should not hold your phone to make calls or text when driving. You can use your phone for GPS in an emergency or hands-free to make calls. For anything else, you’ll need to be parked in a legitimate parking spot.

Speed limits in South Dakota

Absolute speed limits in South Dakota can vary based on the type of road you are traveling across. They are as follows:

Toll roads in South Dakota

There are no toll roads in South Dakota. There are some access-controlled highways, but these are not toll-regulated. 

Driving ages and license requirements in South Dakota

• The minimum driving age in South Dakota is 16 (for a learner’s permit).
• The minimum age to rent a car in South Dakota with Hertz is 23.
• If you want to rent a truck or pick-up, please check with us for minimum age requirements and any license requirements.

If you are between 23 and 25 years old and want to rent a car in South Dakota, check out our young drivers’ guide to learn more about renting when you’re under 25.

Essential equipment to carry in your car in South Dakota

It’s recommended that you carry the following items with you in your vehicle:

• A first aid kit
• Spare bulbs
• Jump cables
• Reflective clothing and a warning triangle
• Warm blankets
• A flashlight and spare batteries
• Drinking water
• Tools or a tool kit
• Food
• Spare diapers and warm clothing for babies and children.

There may be restrictions to what you can carry in your Hertz rental car, so please check your rental agreement for more information.

South Dakota speed violations, infractions, and penalties

If you are caught speeding in South Dakota, you should expect to pay a fine and court costs. The cost of your fine will depend on how fast over the absolute speed limits of South Dakota you were driving.

You can expect to pay between $88 and $222.50 – starting from 1-5mph over the speed limit and maxing at 26mph or more over the speed limit. Fines are doubled if you’re caught speeding in a construction zone.

Infractions are also subject to license suspension and demerit points on your driver’s license. Multiple DUIs could lead to jail time for the driver.

Driving with children in South Dakota

All children must be securely fastened in a car seat that is appropriate for their height, weight and age.

South Dakota laws state that if a child is under 40 pounds and 5 years of age, they must be secured in a child safety seat. It is unclear of any firm rulings, so we suggest following the recommendations set out by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Children should be in the backseat until around age 13 and secured with a lap and shoulder seatbelt.

The ideal car seat standards should also be followed:

• Rear-facing car seats until the age of 2
• Forward-facing car seats from 2 years to 4 years
• Booster seats after the age of 4 until a child is able to fit safely in an adult seatbelt
• Children should also be seated in the back seat until the age of 13.

Gas prices in South Dakota  

The average gas price in South Dakota is $3.65 per gallon.

Based on manufacturers’ average fuel figures:

·       For a small call like a Ford Focus, that’s about $0.09 per mile.

·       For a spacious SUV like a Chevrolet Equinox, it works out at around $0.13 per mile.

Gas price figure last updated November 7, 2022.  

Electric car charging in South Dakota

South Dakota doesn’t have as many chargers as other states, so it is best to get an app like Plugshare so you can find the closest ones enroute. Some companies may also have chargers that they rent out to people for a small fee.

Many of the charging stations will require you to input payment details before you start charging. Nearly all of them will have debit or credit card machines available or they may have an app for you to use.

Driving between South Dakota and other states

If you’re doing a long drive from South Dakota with multiple state crossings, it is possible to rent a Hertz car for a one-way trip. Pick the car up in Rapid City or Sioux Falls and drop it off at another Hertz location when you’re finished.

From South Dakota, you can take your pick from a range of states, including:

• North Dakota
• Wyoming
• Nebraska
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Montana

Continue your journey cross-state without any worries about swapping cars.

Driving conditions in South Dakota

In South Dakota, you will find there are four very distinct seasons. The winters are cold and dry with the potential of ice storms and blizzards, while the summers are warm and semi-humid with regular thunderstorms and a high possibility of tornadoes.

It is good to be aware of the weather at the time of year you’re visiting, and to make sure you have the right supplies in your car and a fully charged phone in case of emergencies.