You must have a South Dakota Commercial Driver’s License to operate any of the following commercial motor vehicles (CMVs):

• A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds.
• Any combination vehicle with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more towing a trailer with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more.
• A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons (including the driver).
• Any size vehicle which requires hazardous materials placards or is carrying material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR Part 72.

To qualify for your South Dakota CDL, you’ll need to have a qualifying South Dakota Driver’s License and a few other things:

• Complete a license application form
  • English Application
  • Spanish Application
• Other required documents including proof of identity, proof of residence, etc.
• $33 application fee and $15 for each endorsement knowledge test
• Pass all required knowledge testing
• Be issued a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
• Pass all required driving skills testing

You’ll need to take the CDL driving skills test at a third party testing site. Keep in mind that a driving skills test must be scheduled at least two business days in advance, and you must drive on your commercial learner’s permit for 14 days prior to taking the driving skills test. Third party testers charge $90 plus tax for the drive test.

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.

Looking for information on which drivers are required to take entry-level driver training? The FMCSA has released a video to help answer this question.

For more information, please visit our CDL home page.

Commercial driver’s license skills tests are not given at South Dakota Driver Licensing locations. Instead, you must take your test with a third party tester; several testers are located throughout South Dakota.

All CDL drivers must complete a medical self-certification statement to certify that they are or aren’t subject to physical requirements in 49 CFR Part 391 or when their medical status changes. Depending on the self-certification categories selected, some drivers may also need a medical examiner certificate (which you can obtain from your medical provider). For example, a driver who drives interstate or hauls interstate commerce would need a certificate, as would a driver operating a school bus only in South Dakota.

Medical certificates must be issued by a medical professional registered with the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Find a professional near you.

Drivers may mail, fax or email a copy of their self-certification statement and/or medical examiner certificate to:

Driver Licensing Program
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
Fax: (605) 773-3018

Please submit only copies, and keep originals for your records. A Medical Examination Form for Commercial Driver Fitness Determination cannot be accepted and will not be returned to you. Incomplete or illegible certificates will be returned and must be re-submitted. For more information, email us or call (605) 773-6883.

For a hazardous materials endorsement, you must complete a threat assessment at an authorized enrollment center.

Download our commercial driver’s license manual to start studying.

You must be 21 years of age to obtain a hazardous materials endorsement, and meet other qualifications in addition to your CDL. See more about hazmat endorsements.

Motor carriers traveling in South Dakota can find rules, regulations, permitting information and more at South Dakota Truck Info.

For information on commercial driver’s licenses, background checks, ports of entry, permits and more, visit:

• South Dakota Truck Info
• Transportation Security Administration
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• South Dakota Trucking Association