South Dakota Driver's License

Operator's License

The standard driver's license in South Dakota is the operator's license. Age eligibility is at least 16 years old.

Residents can only get the full operator's license after satisfying all the requirements of an instruction permit. Minor or teen drivers must upgrade to and hold a restricted minor's permit after the instruction permit.

Anyone with an operator's license can legally drive a vehicle on public roads within the state. Moped drivers can use this license and not a separate motorcycle license.

Commercial Driver's License

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is required for those driving commercial vehicles that transport several passengers or products. It is also needed if drivers are transporting hazardous materials. CDL is further classified into three:

Class A

CDL Class A is required for operating vehicles with a GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating) of 26,001 pounds or more. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of one or more towed vehicles should exceed 10,000 pounds.

Class B

CDL Class B is required when driving a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. Furthermore, the towed vehicle's GVWR must not exceed 10,000 pounds.

Class C

This driver's license is required to operate a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or transport hazardous materials.

Additional endorsements are available for specific types of vehicles and cargo, such as hazardous materials (H), passengers (P), and school buses (S).

Motorcycle License

Even holders of a full operator's license must obtain a motorcycle license and have their current license endorsed to operate a motorcycle legally. If an individual does not possess an operator's license but wishes to drive a motorcycle, they must obtain a separate motorcycle driver's license.

Secure an Instruction Permit

Teen drivers in South Dakota can begin learning to drive at the age of 14 under the supervision of licensed adults. To do this, they must obtain an instruction permit, which is subject to suspension or revocation if the permit holder violates any restrictions.

To obtain an instruction permit in South Dakota, applicants must apply with a parent or guardian at a South Dakota licensing location and submit all necessary documents.

Applicants must also pass a written knowledge test after they have completed a driver's education course. Additionally, a vision test is mandatory to identify vision-related restrictions on the license.

Once approved, teen drivers must hold the permit for at least 180 days if they have completed a driver's education or 275 days if without driver's ed. South Dakota may accept an out-of-state driver's ed by requesting approval and submitting a duly notarized form.

Teen drivers who still need to upgrade to restricted permits as of July 1, 2021, must satisfy additional requirements before upgrading. Here are the new additional requirements:

• Complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with a parent or guardian, including 10 hours at night and 10 hours in bad weather.
• Record the driven hours in a student driving log.

Upgrade to a Restricted Permit

Teen drivers aged 16 to 17 can apply for a restricted minor's permit after holding an instruction permit for at least six months and completing all the requirements.

When upgrading to a restricted permit, the driver and parent or guardian must return to a driver exam station. The parent or guardian must then sign the Supervised Driving Statement using a prescribed affidavit, affirming that the permit holder has completed 50 hours of supervised driving.

In addition, teen applicants must pass a driving test and have no traffic violations in the six months before the application.

After obtaining this permit, they can drive without the supervision of a licensed adult between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. However, during the first six months of the restricted permit, no passengers are allowed except for immediate family or household members.

A restricted permit holder may drive alone after 10 p.m. if taking the most direct route to or from:

• Driving agricultural machinery (not subject to registration) or performing farm-related work
• School or a school event
• Work
• Church or a church event

The permit holder must drive on the restricted permit for at least six months. Upon reaching age 18, the restricted minor's permit automatically converts to an operator's license.

Obtain a Full Operator's License

SD residents who are at least 16 years old and have completed the requirements and conditions of the instruction permit can obtain an operator's license. Applicants who are under 18 must have driven a vehicle with a restricted minor's permit for six months or more.

Holders of this license are now subject to the South Dakota point system.

Applicants for commercial driver's licenses may need to submit a medical certificate. Call or visit a DPS office for more information.

Required Documents

Applicants must complete the South Dakota Driver License/ID Card Application and gather the required documents. These documents generally include:

• Proof of identity
• Social Security number
• Proof of residency
• Any additional documents mandated by the South Dakota DPS

Applicants should note that only original, certified documents are accepted. Photocopies, hospital-issued birth certificates, and handwritten addresses are invalid for the application process.

New Applicants and Out-of-State Transfers

To complete the application process for new applicants and out-of-state transfers, applicants must provide proof of lawful U.S. status, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport.

Name changes require certified documentation showing the progression of each change, such as marriage certificates, divorce decrees, or court orders.

Veterans

In addition to the required documents, veterans seeking a designation on their license must present one of the following documents:

• A U.S. Military DD-214 form
• DD form 2 (retired)
• DD form 2A (reserved retired)
• NGB22 form
• A certificate from a local Veteran Service Officer confirming honorable service

Full-time Travelers

South Dakota residents who travel full-time or live in an RV must have a physical residential address. Those using mail forwarding services must complete a notarized residency affidavit, which includes a perjury statement.

Ways to Apply for a Driver's License

South Dakota offers three new driver's license application methods: in-person, by mail, and online.

In-Person

Applicants must visit a driver licensing location if they haven't applied in person within the last decade, wish to change their name or license class, require a driving test, or wear bioptic lenses.

While walk-ins are welcome during normal office hours, appointments are necessary for drive tests and are recommended to reduce waiting times. Out-of-state license holders with inactive South Dakota licenses must apply in person.

Applicants can expedite the process by printing and completing the application form beforehand. All signatures must be handwritten. Digital signatures are not accepted.

By-Mail

The mail-in process requires submitting a completed application form, two documents proving the residential address (less than a year old), and the appropriate fee. Applicants should allow several weeks for processing and include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for license return.

Military personnel may use out-of-state or APO (Army Post Office) addresses. Applicants aged 65 or older must include a recent vision statement.

If registrants opt to apply by mail, they may send their applications together with the required documents and form to this address:

Online Services and Kiosks

New applications are not eligible for online or kiosk services due to completing necessary tests. These options are only available for duplicate and renewal driver's licenses, provided there is no change in address and name. However, the South Dakota DPS offers online appointments to avoid queueing.

Applicable Driver's License Fees

The fees for obtaining various types of driver's licenses in South Dakota are as follows.

• $28 for a standard driver's license, non-driver I.D., instruction permits, and restricted minor permits.
• $33 for a CDL and $15 for each endorsement
• $15 for information changes such as name or address

Methods of Payment

South Dakota accepts Visa and MasterCard for new applications, online renewals, and duplicates. In-person payments can be made with cash, checks, money orders, or credit and debit cards.

This flexibility ensures that applicants can choose the most convenient payment method for their needs, whether they are completing transactions online or at a driver exam station.

Driving License Tests

To obtain a South Dakota driver's license, applicants must pass several tests.

First, they must pass a vision test. If glasses or contacts are worn during this test, the applicant will be required to wear them while driving. Failure to pass the vision test necessitates a statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist certifying the applicant's visual ability to drive safely.

Next, applicants must pass a knowledge test covering the rules of the road and safe driving practices with a score of 80% or higher. Study materials, including the driving manual, are available for download in English or Spanish.

Finally, applicants must pass a driving test, also with a score of 80% or higher. This test evaluates the applicant's ability to safely operate a vehicle and perform typical driving tasks. Applicants must secure an appointment at any driver exam station to complete the driving test, which verifies the applicant's competency in real-world driving scenarios.

Tests can only be taken up to three times within six months from the date of application. If applicants fail or have an infraction during the test, they must wait 30 days before taking another. Applicants may need to pay again the licensing fee if they are retaking on the fourth attempt.

License Options

South Dakota offers several options that can be added to a driver's license or ID card during the application process. Applicants can indicate if they have a living will for withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment by selecting "yes" or "no" on the application.

Honorably discharged veterans can choose to have their status indicated on their driver's license or ID card. They can also specify if they want a Durable Power of Attorney (POA) for withdrawing life-sustaining treatment, which other applicants may specify in their license.

Additionally, applicants can register as organ and tissue donors when applying for a driver's license or ID card. This designation can also be added or removed online. A donor designation in the license removes the need for family members to decide at the time of death.

Renewal of Driver's License

South Dakota offers several options for driver's license renewal. U.S. citizens and permanent residents can renew their licenses online once every ten years using their mySD account. This service is also available at South Dakota DMV Kiosks, which are primarily used for vehicle registration renewals but offer driver's license renewal as an additional service.

For those with Real ID-compliant licenses, renewal can be initiated up to 180 days before the expiration date. The online renewal process requires uploading a completed application form and two proofs of physical address that are less than a year old. Note that handwritten documents are not accepted as proof of address.

Full-time travelers must provide additional documents, which may include:

• A completed Residency Affidavit
• A receipt from an RV park, hotel, motel, or campground proving their stay for at least one night within the last year
• A document proving their personal mailbox (PMB) service address, such as a receipt from the PMB business

Virtual addresses are not accepted. Those using a friend or family member's address in South Dakota must complete a Consent for Use of Address form.

An administrative fee applies to online renewals and credit/debit card payments at a kiosk. This fee covers electronic processing costs and is either $2 or 2.95% of the transaction, whichever is greater.

Mail-in renewal of driver's license is also possible in South Dakota.

Replacement of Driver's License

In South Dakota, replacing a driver's license can be done online or by mail, provided the license has not expired, and the holder's name or address has not changed. The process and required documents for replacement are similar to those for obtaining a new driver's license.

For online or mail replacement, applicants need to provide the same documentation as they would for a renewal. This includes proof of identity and residency. Minor applicants must also submit a signed and notarized parental consent form.

Note that if there have been changes to personal information or if the license has expired, the replacement process may require an in-person visit to a driver's license office. In such cases, additional documentation may be necessary to verify the changes or re-establish eligibility.