South Dakota
Driver Licensing
Important Information
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has been notified of a phishing scam that you may receive from the FMCSA “Assistant of Administration” claiming you need to “complete your most recent up-to-date membership License certificate.” If you receive any suspicious email from info@fmcsa.dot.gov or any other entity that you are not expecting or looks suspicious, please delete the email from your inbox. Once the email has been deleted from your in-box, go into your deleted mail folder and delete it from your deleted mailbox. Doing this will limit the exposure of the phishing email.
Note that the only legitimate way to log in to the Training Provider Registry is via login.gov. Never enter your email address and password into a third-party website claiming to give you access to the Training Provider Registry.
Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)
FMCA's Entry Level Driver Training became a requirement on February 7, 2022. This includes those applying to:
- Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time;
- Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
- Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
Click here to visit our page for more information about ELDT.
Effective 11/30/22, the Spearfish Driver Exam Station is now located at 120 Industrial Drive, Suite 3, Spearfish, SD 57783. Our hours in Spearfish are Wednesdays and Thursdays each week (excluding holidays) from 8AM to 5PM (applications accepted until 4PM). Walk-in customers welcome, or schedule an appointment and skip the wait! Click here to schedule an appointment at this location.
Effective 11/28/22, the Sturgis Driver Exam Station will no longer be open on Thursdays, but will serve the public every FRIDAY instead (excluding holidays). Hours are still 7:30AM to 5:15PM (applications accepted until 4:15PM). The Driver Exam Station is still located in the Community Center at 1401 Lazelle Street, Sturgis, SD. Walk-in customers welcome, or schedule an appointment and skip the wait! Click here to schedule an appointment at this location.
Online or Mail-In Renewal
Anyone who did not renew online or by mail 5 years ago (or for your last renewal) is eligible!
Read more about the Online or Mail-In renewal process.
Replacement or Duplicate License/ID Card
A replacement or duplicate license or ID card may be requested online or by mail once every 10 years. Read about requesting a duplicate card here.
Expired License
Drivers with a license expired more than 30 days are required to pass the knowledge test.
Those with a motorcycle endorsement (Class 2 license) expired more than 30 days have to take the operator's knowledge test and the motorcycle knowledge test.
Testing visits require an appointment. Click here to make an appointment or call (605) 773-6883 to schedule.
at a South Dakota driver exam station.
Commercial Driver License (CDL)
Visit our CDL page for information specific to Commercial Driver Licenses (CDLs).
Schedule an Appointment
Walk-in customers are welcome at any driver exam station, but we would encourage you to schedule an appointment the help reduce your wait time. Click here to use our online scheduling tool!
Walk-in customers will be accommodated as time allows.
You can complete your application before you visit the exam station. Electronic, digital, or stamped signatures are not allowed on the application.
For all other driver licensing questions or issues,
send an email to the Driver Licensing Program staff
or call (605) 773-6883 (be prepared to leave a message).
