To be eligible for a South Dakota Driver License, you must have a physical residential address located in South Dakota, live full time in an RV/camper, or travel full time for work (for example, traveling nurse, truck driver, etc.).

If you use a mail forwarding service, you will be required to complete a residency affidavit (see Documents section below) and have your signature notarized by a public notary.  The residency affidavit includes a perjury statement indicating the answers you provide on the form are true and correct. California public notary page must specify the accompanying document being signed for. 

Want to obtain a South Dakota Driver License or ID card?

• To obtain a driver license or ID card for the first time in South Dakota, you will be required to visit a South Dakota driver licensing location in-person.
  
  • Click here for a list of locations. 
    • If you visit a state driver exam station, you will receive your driver license or identification card the day you visit the exam station.
    • If you visit a county/city issuance location, you will receive a paper temporary license that day and your driver license or identification card will be mailed to you, which may take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
  • You may schedule an appointment to help reduce the amount of time you may need to wait in line! 
• You will need to provide the required documents. 
• You will need to pay the required fees. 
• You will need to complete an application (see Documents section below). You can print and complete this form before you arrive at the exam station.
• If you use a mail forwarding service, you will be required to complete a residency affidavit (see Documents section below), which includes a perjury statement indicating the answers you provide on the form are true and correct. You must have your signature notarized by a public notary. California public notary page must specify the accompanying document being signed for.
• If you have friends or family in South Dakota and plan to use their address, you must complete the Consent for Use of Address form (see Documents section below). 
• For a driver license, the driver examiner will test your vision and you may be required to take a written knowledge or drive test.
• If you are currently a licensed in another state, you will be required to forfeit (turn in) the other license. You cannot be licensed in more than one state or keep the other card for any reason.

 

Renewing or replacing your unexpired South Dakota Driver’s License or ID card

• If your driver license or ID card has not yet expired, you may be eligible to renew or request a replacement license or ID card online or by mail.  If you did not use the online or mail-in method 5 years ago (the last time you renewed or replaced), then you may be eligible!
  • Please note online and mail-in applications typically process in 4-6 weeks.
  • If you mail in your proof of address documents, your vision statement, or any other residency documents (instead of uploading them electronically), it may take longer for your driver license or ID card to arrive.
• If you plan to visit South Dakota to renew or replace your South Dakota driver license or ID card in-person, it may be helpful to schedule an appointment at the Driver Exam Station you plan to visit.  Click here to use our online scheduling tool or call (605) 773-6883 for assistance. We recommend you schedule your appointment well in advance so you can time the appointment to coincide with your visit to South Dakota. Please plan ahead!  Some of our locations are booked several weeks in advance.
• Walk-in customers are welcome at all South Dakota Driver Exam Stations.  Find a location here.
  • If you visit a state driver exam station, you will receive your driver license or identification card the day you visit the exam station.
  • If you visit a county/city issuance location, you will receive a paper temporary license that day and your driver license or identification card will be mailed to you, which may take 4-6 weeks to arrive.
• In addition to providing a completed application (see Documents section below), paying the fees, and providing the required documents, you’ll also need to provide:
  • If you use a mail forwarding service, you will be required to complete a residency affidavit (see Documents section below), which includes a perjury statement indicating the answers you provide on the form are true and correct. You must have your signature notarized by a public notary. California public notary page must specify the accompanying document being signed for.
  • A receipt from a South Dakota hotel/motel, campground, or RV park to prove one night of stay within the last year. The receipt must include your name.
  • One document, no more than one year old, proving your personal mailbox service address. This document could include a receipt from the personal mailbox business or a piece of mail with your personal mailbox address on it. It cannot be handwritten. Virtual address or virtual postal addresses will not be accepted.
• If you have friends or family in South Dakota and plan to use their address, you must complete the Consent for Use of Address form (see Documents section below).

 

Renewing or replacing your South Dakota Driver’s License or ID card EXPIRED more than 30 Days

• If your driver license or ID card has been expired for more than 30 days, you are required to visit a South Dakota driver exam station in-person.  You must:
  • Take and pass a knowledge test (covering the rules of the road and safe driving practices). 
    • Appointments are required for any visit involving testing, include taking the knowledge test.  Click here to use our online scheduling tool or call (605) 773-6883 for assistance.  We recommend scheduling your appointment to coincide with your visit to South Dakota.  Please plan ahead!  Some of our locations are booked out several weeks in advance.
    • Click here to find our online manuals so you can study prior to taking the test.
  • If you use a mail forwarding service, you will be required to complete a residency affidavit (see Documents section below), which includes a perjury statement indicating the answers you provide on the form are true and correct. You must have your signature notarized by a public notary. California public notary page must specify the accompanying document being signed for.
  • Provide TWO documents proving your South Dakota address:
    • A receipt from a South Dakota hotel/motel, campground or RV park to prove one night of stay within the last year. The receipt must include your name.
    • One document, no more than one year old, proving your personal mailbox service address. This document could include a receipt from the personal mailbox business or a piece of mail with your personal mailbox address on it. It cannot be handwritten. Virtual address or virtual postal addresses will not be accepted.
    • If you have friends or family in South Dakota and plan to use their address, you must submit a completed Consent for Use of Address form (see Documents section below).
  • Pass a vision test given at the driver exam station.
  • Have your photo taken.
  • Pay the renewal fee.

If you visit a state driver exam station, you will receive your driver license or identification card the day you visit the exam station.  If you visit a county/city issuance location, you will receive a paper temporary license that day and your driver license or identification card will be mailed to you, which may take 4-6 weeks to arrive. Click here for state and city/county locations.

 

Didn't find what you were looking for on this page?  Visit our home page for a list of other services we offer and additional information you might find helpful.  You can also email us or call us at (605) 773-6883 between 9AM-4PM Central Time Monday-Friday (closed on state holidays).

 

**The documents below will be moved to your Downloads folder when you click on them -- look for them there!**

DOCUMENTS

Consent for Use of Address	Driver License and ID Card Application - Spanish
Document Requirements	Residency Affidavit
Driver License and ID Card Application - English	Vision Statement