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South Dakota driver's license

Get your first license in South Dakota after moving to the US.

The short answer

South Dakota tests your eyesight and your knowledge of the traffic laws, and then your actual driving.1 A standard driver license costs $38.2 If you fail a test, you cannot retake it before the next working day, and each fee paid covers three attempts within a six-month period.3 You furnish your own vehicle for the road test, and no pets or passengers may ride along.4, 5 If your stay in the United States has an end date, the license runs for the length of that stay and no longer than 5 years.6

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to South Dakota and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

Driver license2$38

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

A driver with a temporary immigration status receives a regular license, issued for the duration of their legal stay based on USCIS documents and not exceeding 5 years.6

If your license from another state has expired

An applicant surrendering an expired out-of-state driver license must take the knowledge test.7

If you have no license to transfer

A valid out-of-state driver license transfers without testing, unless the applicant holds a hazardous materials endorsement, which requires testing.8

Documents you need

  • Documents that are still validA permanent resident card (Form I-551), an employment authorization document (Form I-766 or I-688B), and a passport from another country with its affixed U.S. visa must all be valid and unexpired, along with the approved I-94 form.9

Tests you take

Eye test

If you do not pass the vision screening, you must present a statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist certifying that you can see well enough to drive safely before the exam continues.10

Drive test

If you currently hold a valid out-of-state driver license, no testing is required to transfer it unless you have a hazardous materials endorsement.11

  • Yes. The examination includes an actual demonstration of your ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.1

Tries you get on the written test

If you fail a test, you may not retest before the next working day, and you get up to three test attempts per fee within a six-month period.3

  • If you are caught cheating, you cannot retest the following day; you must wait a minimum of two weeks before testing again.12

Practice questions for the written test

Driver licensing manuals are available at any South Dakota Driver Licensing Office and online at https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing.13

  • The driver license manual is published in English and Spanish. The licensing agency does not provide pre-tests or sample tests.14

  • The knowledge test is drawn from the driver license manual, which gives information on safe driving rules and practices.15

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

A learner permit holder must be accompanied by a person holding a valid driver licence who is at least 18 years old, has at least one year of driving experience, and occupies the seat beside them.16

What to bring to the drive test

Who comes with you

Pets or passengers are not allowed in the vehicle during road tests.5

The car and its insurance

You must furnish your own vehicle for the road test. Pets or passengers are not allowed in the vehicle during the test.4

Where to go

Who gives the tests

The Department of Public Safety, or any person authorized by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety, examines each applicant for a driver license.17

Booking an appointment

Schedule, change, or cancel an appointment at https://432201.waitwell.us/locations.18

Office locations

South Dakota's driver licensing offices are mapped at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f8c4832760c74cc1a91f193c107c2f4b.19

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “s amended january 1, 2015. source: sl 2009, ch 154 , § 6, eff. dec. 31, 2009; sl 2018, ch 190 , § 1. 32-12-3.5 . documents with applicant's name and residence address to be presented with application. any applicant under the provisions of this chapter shall, on making application for an operator's license, motorcycle operator's license, restricted minor's permit, motorcycle restricted minor's permit, instruction permit, motorcycle instruction permit, or nondriver identification card, present to the examiner at least two documents containing the applicant's name and address of principal residence in order to establish the applicant's address of principal residence. source: sl 2009, ch 154 , § 7, eff. dec. 31, 2009. 32-12-4 . examination of applicant--place of examination--time of examination. the department of public safety or any person authorized by the secretary of the department of public safety shall examine each applicant for a driver license. such examination shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight, the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic, the applicant's knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, and shall include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. the department shall make provision for giving an examination either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent thereto reasonably convenient to the applicant within not more than thirty days from the date the application is received. source: sl 1959, ch 261 , § 9; sdc supp 1960, § 44.03b09; sl 1980, ch 219 , § 1; sl 2001, ch 171 , § 106; sl 2003, ch 272 , § 23. 32-12-4.1 . classes of vehicles--qualifications and examination. the secretary of the department of public safety may adopt rules and regulations setting forth qualifications necessary for the safe operation of various types, sizes, or combinations of vehicles and shall appropriately examine each applicant to determine his qualifications according to the general class of license for which application has been made. source: sl 1974, ch 215 , § 2; sl 1982, ch 18 , § 22; sl 2003, ch 272 , § 23. 32-12-4.2 32-12-4.2 to 32-12-4.4. repealed by sl 1989, ch 265 , §§ 2 to 4. 32-12-4.5 . rules authorized for medical and vision standards of drivers. the secretary of the department of public safety may promulgate rules on medical criteria and vision standards relating to the licensing of drivers under the provisi”

    sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12

    Checked July 27, 2026

  2. 2

    “Driver License $38”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked July 26, 2026

  3. 3

    “If you fail any of the tests, you may not re-test before the next working day. You may wait longer if you want more time to study the manual or practice. You are allowed three opportunities to test for each fee paid within a six-month period.”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked August 3, 2026

  4. 4

    “Drivers must furnish their own vehicles for road tests.”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked August 4, 2026

  5. 5

    “Pets or passengers are not allowed in the vehicle during road tests.”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked August 4, 2026

  6. 6

    “Drivers of foreign countries will be issued a license for the duration of their legal stay based on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services documents provided at license issuance, but not to exceed 5 years.”

    sd.gov/sys_attachment.do

    Checked August 1, 2026

  7. 7

    “If an expired driver license is surrendered, the person shall take the knowledge test”

    sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12

    Checked August 1, 2026

  8. 8

    “If you are currently holding a valid out-of-state driver license, no testing will be required for the transfer of that license unless you have a hazardous materials endorsement.”

    sd.gov/sys_attachment.do

    Checked July 27, 2026

  9. 9

    “(3) A valid, unexpired permanent resident card (form I-551 issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Naturalization Services); (4) An unexpired employment authorization document issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security (form I-766 or I-688B); (5) An unexpired foreign passport with a valid, unexpired United States visa affixed accompanied by the approved I-94 form documenting the applicant's most recent entrance into the United States;”

    sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12

    Checked August 1, 2026

  10. 10

    “If you do not pass the test, you must present a statement from an optometrist or ophthalmologist certifying that you possess the visual ability to drive safely before continuing the exam.”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked August 4, 2026

  11. 11

    “If you are currently holding a valid out-of-state driver license, no testing will be required for the transfer of that license unless you have a hazardous materials endorsement.”

    sd.gov/sys_attachment.do

    Checked July 28, 2026

  12. 12

    “If someone is caught cheating you will not be allowed to re-test the following day, you will be required to wait a minimum of two weeks before being allowed to test again.”

    sd.gov/sys_attachment.do

    Checked July 27, 2026

  13. 13

    “Those wishing to obtain a motorcycle or commercial driver’s license should also obtain those manuals from any South Dakota Driver Licensing Office (the manuals are also available on the department’s website at https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing)”

    sd.gov/sys_attachment.do

    Checked July 27, 2026

  14. 14

    “to visit a page where you can find the manual in English or Spanish. We do not provide pre-tests or sample tests.”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked August 4, 2026

  15. 15

    “This manual gives you information on safe driving rules and practices to help you become a safe driver. Be sure to read the manual carefully and completely. Unless you know the information contained in this manual, you cannot pass the knowledge test.”

    sd.gov/sys_attachment.do

    Checked July 27, 2026

  16. 16

    “if accompanied by a person holding a valid operator's license who is at least eighteen years of age, has had at least one year of driving experience, and who is occupying a seat beside the applicant.”

    sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12

    Checked August 1, 2026

  17. 17

    “The Department of Public Safety or any person authorized by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety shall examine each applicant for a driver license.”

    sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/32-12

    Checked August 1, 2026

  18. 18

    “https://432201.waitwell.us/locations (SCHEDULE, CHANGE OR CANCEL APPOINTMENT - the WaitWell scheduler)”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked August 4, 2026

  19. 19

    “South Dakota Driver Licensing location [href: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f8c4832760c74cc1a91f193c107c2f4b]”

    sd.gov/dps

    Checked July 27, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in South Dakota?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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