Requirements:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- You must currently have an unexpired, federally compliant driver’s license/ID card with a gold star in the upper right corner.
- You must complete a license application form. Applications will not be accepted without a signature and date included on the bottom of the form.
- You’ll need to mail two documents to prove your residential/physical address. They cannot be handwritten. Documents must show your name and must be less than one year old. Active military personnel and their dependents may use two documents proving their out-of-state residential address or APO/EPO address (if stationed overseas).
- Please provide proof of military status if applicable.
- If you’re 65 or older, a vision statement less than one year old is also required. Scores must be recorded on our vision statement form.
- Drivers who wear biopic lenses are not eligible for mail-in renewal.
- Include the application fee of $28 for Class 1, 2 or 3; or $33 for Class A, B or C (hazmat endorsement cannot be renewed by mail). Click here to determine your fees.
- Make checks payable to “Department of Public Safety.”
- Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope for license return.
Please send your completed application, documents, and payment to:
Driver Licensing Program
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
You need to visit a Driver Licensing location if:
- You have not applied in person in the last ten years.
- You wish to change your name.
- You wish to change your license class, CDL class or endorsements.
- You are required to take a driving test.
- You wear bioptic lenses.
To visit an exam station, please schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome during normal office hours; however, an appointment is required if you need to take a drive test.
If you were issued a driver license or ID card in another state, your South Dakota license or ID card in inactive and you are not eligible for renewal by mail.
Allow several weeks for your new license to arrive.
FAQs:
Am I eligible to renew by mail?
If your driver license HAS NOT EXPIRED and you did not use the online or mail-in method for your last renewal, you may be eligible to renew online or by mail.
What is my license or ID card expired more than 30 days ago?
If your driver license has been expired for more than 30 days, you are required to visit an exam station in-person and pass a knowledge test. If you have a motorcycle endorsement (Class 2 license), you will have to take the operator's knowledge test and the motorcycle knowledge test.
If you are required to test to renew your driver license, you must schedule an appointment. Click here for testing appointment information.
What if I would rather renew in person at an exam station?
If you prefer to renew your driver license in-person at an exam station, we assure you walk-in customers are wecome. We would encourage you to schedule an appointment so you don't have to sit in the waiting area. Use our scheduling tool to make an appointment!
You can also print and complete your application before going to the exam station. No digital, electronic, or stamped signatures allowed on the application.
What if I am a full-time traveler who uses a mail forwarding service?
You may be eligible to renew or request a duplicate (replacement) license or card online or by mail. If your license or ID card has not yet expired and 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!
- If you plan to visit South Dakota to renew or replace your South Dakota driver license or ID card, it may be helpful to schedule an appointment at the Driver Exam Station you plan to visit. To schedule an appointment, please click here. We recommend you schedule your appointment well in advance so you can time the appointment to coincide with your visit to South Dakota.
- Walk-in customers are welcome at all South Dakota Driver Exam Stations if you prefer not to schedule an appointment. Find a location here.
- In addition to the application, fees, and standard renewal documents, 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 and South Dakota address.
- One document dated within the last year proving your personal mailbox service address. This document could include a receipt from the personal mailbox business or a piece of mail with your mailbox address on it. If cannot be handwritten. Virtual addresses 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.
What if I am active military or a military dependent?
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.
Do I need to provide a vision statement?
If you are renewing your driver license online or by mail and are age 65 or older, you must provide a vision statement along with the other required documents.
The form must be completed by an eye doctor and be dated within one year of the date you apply to renew your license. Your vision scores must be recorded on our vision statement form. You may print the form and take it with you for your eye exam or ask your eye doctor to print and complete the form for you.