CS Knowledge Article View - Citizen Services

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To obtain or renew your license or ID card as quickly as possible, make sure you have the correct documents.

To Obtain a South Dakota Driver License or ID Card

New drivers, first time applicants, and new residents to South Dakota will need to visit an exam station in-person and provide an identity document, a Social Security document, and proof of a South Dakota address. Click on the button below to download the list that will guide you to obtaining your new license.
Required Documents

Click on the arrow below to expand this section and learn more about what you'll need when you visit the exam station.

New Applicants and Transfers from Another State

You will be required to complete a South Dakota driver license/ID card application form. Applications will not be accepted without an original signature and date included on the bottom of the form. Electronic, digital, or stamped signatures not allowed. Applicants under 18 must have a parent or guardian present to sign.

If you are a new applicant, a non-U.S. citizen, or a transfer from another state, you must provide proof of lawful status in the United States by providing a certified U.S. birth certificate (state certified only -- photocopies and hospital-issued certificates will not be accepted), a valid, non-expired U.S. Passport/Passport Card, a Certificate of Citizenship/Naturalization, a Permanent Resident Card, an Employment Authorization Card, or a Foreign Passport with a U.S. Visa/I-94.

If your name is different than the name on your proof of lawful status document, you'll need show the progression of each name change by providing proof of each name change with a certified copy of a marriage certificate (from a government entity -- not from the church), a divorce decree, and/or court order. We can only accept original certified documents -- no photocopies.

If you are a new applicant or a transfer from another state who DOES NOT have a gold star in the upper corner of your current driver license, you will also be required to provide your Social Security Card (showing your full social security number), a W-2 (showing your full social security number), a 1099 (showing your full social security number), or a pay stub (showing your full social security number). We can only accept original documents. No photocopies!

All applicants are required to provide two documents proving your residential/physical address. These documents must show your full name, your physical/residential address, and be less than one year old. Examples of such documents are a utility bill, a pay stub, a rent receipt, a phone bill, a bank statement, a mortgage document, a homeowner's insurance policy/bill, a tax document, your vehicle registration, etc. No photocopies and no handwritten mail/addresses!

To Renew or Request a Replacement (duplicate) South Dakota Driver License or ID Card

Click on the arrow below to expend the section to learn about the documentation you'll need to provide to renew your South Dakota driver license/ID card or request a replacement for a lost or stolen driver license/ID card. You may be eligible to renew or request a duplicate online (only U.S. citizens and permanent residents can renew online). If you are not eligible to apply or renew online or by mail, you may schedule an appointment to visit a driver licensing location.

Renewals, Duplicates, or Replacement Driver License or ID Card

If you currently have a South Dakota federally compliant card with a gold star in the upper right corner, you may renew up to 180 days prior to your expiration date. You will need to provide:

A completed license application form. Applications will not be accepted without an original signature and date included on the bottom of the form. Electronic, digital, or stamped signatures not allowed. Applicants under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign.
TWO documents proving your residential/physical address. They cannot be handwritten documents. These documents must show your name, your physical /residential address, and be less than one year old. Examples of such documents are a utility bill, pay stub, renter receipt, phone bill, bank statement, mortgage document, homeowner's insurance policy/bill, tax document, vehicle registration, etc.
- If you use a PO Box, one of your address documents can show that address. However, your other address document MUST show your physical/residential address.
- Parent or guardian mail is acceptable for use by minor under the age of 18.
If your name has changed, you'll need to provide proof of name change by providing a certified copy of a marriage certificate from a government entity, a divorce decree, or court order. Applicants with name changes must apply at a Driver Licensing location. We can only accept original, certified documents. No photocopies!
If you are not a U.S. Citizen, or were not a citizen when you last applied, you will need to provide a Certificate of Citizenship/Naturalization, a Permanent Resident Card, and Employment Authorization Card, or a Foreign Passport with a valid U.S. Visa/I-94.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

Applicants must apply for a CDL at a state driver exam station. You may click here to schedule an appointment or you may walk in at an open exam station.

Required documents include:

Completed license application form. Electronic, digital, or stamped signatures not allowed on the application form.
Other required documents and a completed medical certificate form from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), if applicable.
Two documents in your name to prove your residential/physical address. They cannot be handwritten documents. Documents must show your name and be less than one year old. This could include a utility bill, paystub, rent, rent receipt, phone bill, bank statement, mortgage document, homeowner's police or tax document.
$33 application fee plus $15 for each endorsement knowledge test

Note that CDL driving tests must be administered at a third party testing site and must be scheduled at least two business days in advance. You must drive on a commercial learner’s permit for 14 days prior to taking a drive test. Third party testers charge $90 plus tax.

MINOR'S PERMIT UPGRADE TO OPERATOR'S LICENSE

Permit upgrades can be completed by mail or at a driver licensing location. You may click here to schedule an appointment or walk in to an open exam station.

Required documents include:

A completed license application form. Applications will not be accepted without a signature and date included on the bottom of the form. Electronic, digital, or stamped signatures not allowed on the application form. Applicants under 18 must have a notarized signature from a parent or guardian.
Copy of the permit or federally compliant ID card. If your permit or ID card is lost, you must provide copies of two proof of identity documents (one with a date of birth) such as a U.S. certified birth certificate, a valid, non-expired U.S. passport/passport card or Social Security card.
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, you must apply in person at a state driver exam station and provide a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration document proving your lawful status in the U.S.
Two documents to prove your residential/physical address (cannot be handwritten documents). Documents must show your name and must be less than one year old. If you are under the age of 18, you will need to have a parental consent form when providing two documents in your parent's name. This could include a utility bill, paystub, rent receipt, phone bill, bank statement, mortgage document, homeowner’s insurance policy, or tax document.

MILITARY PERSONNEL

Military personnel and their dependents stationed overseas may use two address documents proving their APO/FPO address.

Military personnel and their dependents stationed in another state may provide two address documents proving their out-of-state residential address.

VETERANS

Veterans who have been honorably discharged from the military have the option of adding the word "Veteran" to the front of their South Dakota Driver’s License or Identification Card. In addition to the other required documents, veterans need to present one of the following:

DD-214 form to show honorable discharge status from active duty
Certificate signed by a county or tribal veteran's service officer verifying their status
DD Form 2 (Retired)
DD Form 2A (Reserve Retired)
NGB Form 22
Uniformed Service ID (retired)- Effective July 1, 2023

FULL-TIME TRAVELERS

If you are a South Dakota resident who travels full time, you can renew your license or apply for a duplicate license online or by mail.

In addition to the standard renewal documents listed above, you’ll also need to provide:

A completed Residency Affidavit
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 a handwritten document. Virtual addresses or virtual postal address 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.

DOCUMENTS

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