South Dakota driver license guide

Minimum age for an instruction permit

14.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit and license fee

$38 each for an instruction permit, restricted minor's permit, driver license, or renewal. Card payments carry a $2.00 or 2.95% processing fee.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Parental consent

Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian present to sign the application (a parental consent form is also available).Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit validity

5 years (or until your U.S. lawful-presence documents expire, if sooner).Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit holding period (under 18)

275 days, or 180 days if you pass an approved driver education course, before upgrading to a Restricted Minor's Permit.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Permit driving rules

Drive only with a parent/guardian or other licensed adult with at least 1 year of experience seated beside you; no wireless devices while driving.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Supervised driving

At least 50 hours of parent/guardian-supervised driving, including 10 at night and 10 in bad weather, certified on a Supervised Driving Affidavit.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Restricted Minor's Permit

Hold it at least 6 months, conviction-free. Drive alone 6 AM-10 PM with parent permission; 10 PM-6 AM only with a parent/guardian (except direct trips for school, church, work or farm work). No non-family passengers for 6 months, then one.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Operator's license

At 16, after the instruction and restricted permit stages and no traffic convictions in the last 6 months.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Passing score

80% or higher on the knowledge test (and 80% on the driving test).Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Driver education waiver

A driver education certificate can waive the permit test for one year after the course.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Retake after failing a test

Retest no sooner than the next working day; 3 attempts per fee within 6 months. Cheating means at least a two-week wait.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Attempts per fee

Up to three combined attempts at the knowledge and driving tests per application fee; after that, or after 6 months, pay again.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Appointments

All exam station visits to take a test require an appointment; other services are walk-in or by appointment.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Vision test

Required for a license and at every renewal; an unrestricted license needs 20/40 or better with both eyes and no worse than 20/50 in either eye.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Documents for a first license

An identity/lawful-status document, a Social Security document, and two documents proving your physical South Dakota address. Originals only.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Originals required

Only original certified documents; no photocopies.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Retake after failing the driving test

Retake on a different day (no sooner than the next working day).Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

License term

5 years; expires on your birthday (or 30 days after your 21st birthday if under 21).Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

When you can renew

Up to 180 days before expiration (if turning 21, only within 30 days after your birthday). Expired more than 30 days means an in-person knowledge test.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Online renewal

Available once every ten years for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with an unexpired gold-star card; the other renewal must be in person. Drivers 65+ need a vision statement.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Renewal fee

$38 (plus a $2.00 processing fee online).Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Federally compliant (REAL ID) card

South Dakota's federally compliant cards have a gold star in the upper right corner; you need one to renew online.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Tests for new residents

No testing to transfer a valid out-of-state license (unless it has a hazmat endorsement); surrender all other licenses when you apply.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Replacement fee

$20 for a duplicate or replacement driver license.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

Name or address change fee

$20 to change the name or address on a license or ID card.Source: sd.gov · checked Nov 15, 2026

These links open official government websites. USA DMV is an independent study site and is not affiliated with any of them.