Driver’s License Examination
The Department must examine every applicant for an operator’s license, unless the Department determines that the examination is not necessary.
The examination must include a test of the applicant’s eyesight (20/40 vision acuity is required), ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic, and knowledge of South Dakota’s traffic laws. An actual demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle is also required – but may be waived for an applicant who has successfully passed an actual ability test in his or her state.
The Department may require any other physical or mental examination that it deems to be appropriate.
Graduated Driver's Licensing
South Dakota has a system of graduated licensing for novice drivers.
At age 14, individuals are eligible for an instruction/learner’s permit.
- From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. the permit holder must be accompanied by a person holding a valid operator’s license who is at least 18 years of age, that has at least 1 year of driving experience, and who is occupying the front seat beside the applicant. From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. a parent/legal guardian must accompany the permit holder.
- South Dakota does not have requirement for supervised driving time.
At 14 years and 6 months (14 years and 3 months with approved driver education), individuals are eligible for a restricted minor’s permit/intermediate license who have: (1) held the permit for at least 6 months (3 months if successfully completed an approved driver education course); (2) passed all applicable tests; and (3) not been convicted of a traffic violation during the past 6 months.
- A restricted minor’s permit/intermediate license holder is prohibited from driving unsupervised between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- South Dakota does not have a passenger restriction.
At age 16, drivers who have not been convicted of a traffic violation during the 6 months prior to application are eligible for an unrestricted license, after completion of the instruction permit requirements.
Driver’s License Renewal
Each operator’s license, motorcycle operator’s license, restricted minor’s permit, or motorcycle restricted minor’s permit expires on the licensee’s birthday in the 5th year following the date the license was issued, or on the same date as the expiration date on the valid documents authorizing the applicant’s presence in the United States, whichever occurs first.
Any license issued to a person under 21 expires 30 days after the person’s 21st birthday.
Each operator’s license, motorcycle operator’s license, restricted minor’s permit, or motorcycle restricted minor’s permit is renewable 180 days before its expiration, except when the licensee is turning 21 years of age.
The Department will waive the knowledge and driving tests for renewal, if the licensee applies and makes payment of the required fee within 30 days following the license expiration date.
If the licensee applies and makes payment of the required fees 31 or more days after the expiration date of the license, the licensee must take the knowledge test.
For renewal of an operator’s license, motorcycle operator’s license, restricted minor’s permit, and motorcycle restricted minor’s permit, the Department requires an eye examination.
Any person who holds a valid operator’s license, motorcycle operator’s license, or nondriver identification card may apply by mail or electronically for a replacement or updated license or identification card and a renewal once in any ten year period if the applicant:
(1) is a citizen or national or is an alien who has permanent resident status;
(2) has not had a material change in any personally identifiable information;
(3) is not applying for reinstatement after a revocation, disqualification, or cancellation;
(4) submits two forms of proof of current address; and
(5) submits a vision statement signed by a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist that supplies proof that the applicant has adequate eyesight, if the applicant is sixty-five years of age or older at the time of renewal.
The licenses of active duty military personnel remain valid for the length of their service outside the state and 30 days following the date on which the holder of such license is honorably separated from such service or returns to this state, unless revoked for cause as provided by law. The license is valid only when in the immediate possession of the licensee while driving; and if the licensee has been discharged, his separation papers must also be in his immediate possession. This extension does not apply to military dependents.
Types of Driver's Licenses
Class 1 – Car/Light Truck/Moped/Non-CDL Vehicles
Class 2 – Class 1 and Motorcycles
Class 3 – Motorcycles only
The holder of a valid commercial driver’s license may drive any vehicle in the class for which that license is issued, and any lesser class of vehicle, except a motorcycle. No person may drive a vehicle requiring an endorsement unless the proper corresponding endorsement appears on that person’s commercial driver’s license. A commercial driver’s license may be issued with the following classifications:
- Class A Combination Vehicle. Any combination of commercial motor vehicles and towed vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs. This class includes:
- Any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; and
- Any vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials that require the vehicle to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, as amended through January 1, 1993.
- Class B Heavy Straight Vehicle. Any single commercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 lbs. or more or any such commercial motor vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross weight rating not exceeding 10,000 lbs. This class includes:
- Any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; and
- Any vehicle used in the transportation of hazardous materials which require the vehicle to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, as amended through January 1, 1993.
- Class C Small Vehicle. Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of class A nor that of class B. This class includes any vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is used in the transportation of hazardous materials which require the vehicle to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, Subpart F, as amended through January 1, 1993.