There are times when you'll need to or want to visit a South Dakota driver exam station in person to renew your driver license or non-driver ID card.

You need to visit a Driver Licensing location if:

• You are being licensed or obtaining an ID card in South Dakota for the first time.
• You have not applied in person in the last ten years.
• You wish to change your name on your driver license/ID card.
• You wish to change your license class, CDL class, or endorsements.
• You are required to take a driving test.
• You wear bioptic lenses.

Locations

Click here to find a driver exam in South Dakota.

Schedule an Appointment

Walk-in customers are welcome at any driver exam station and will be accommodated as time allows.  We encourage you to schedule an appointment the help reduce your wait time.  Click here to use our online scheduling tool! 

Renewal Requirements and Documentation

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:

• Your federally compliant driver license.
  • If you’ve lost your federally compliant license, visit our required documents page.
• A completed license application form (in English or in Spanish).
  • Applications will only be accepted with 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 (cannot be handwritten addresses).  These documents must show your name, your physical/residential address, and be less than one year old. Examples of such documents include 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.
  • If you use a PO Box, one of your address documents can show your PO Box address; however, the other address document you provide MUST show your physical/residential address.
  • Mail showing a parent or guardian's name is acceptable for use by a 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 -- not from the church), a divorce decree, or court order.
  • Applicants with a name change must apply in-person 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, an Employment Authorization Card, or a Foreign Passport with a valid U.S. Visa/I-94.
• If you are a CDL holder with a medical certificate, you must bring your medical certificate to renew your CDL. P
• If you are a full-time traveler with no permanent physical address in South Dakota -- see Full Time Traveler information below or visit our Full-Time Traveler page for more information.

Appointments Required for Knowledge Tests and/or Drive Tests

You'll need to schedule an appointment if you need to take a knowledge or drive test.  Click here to use our online scheduling tool to make an appointment. 

Applicants under the age of 18 will need parental consent and a Driver’s Education Certificate, if applicable.  Read more about required documents for testing.  Note:  The examiner may cancel a road test if the examiner considers the weather or road conditions to be unsafe at the time.

Save Some Time!  Complete Your Application Before You Arrive

You can complete your application before you visit the exam station. Electronic, digital, or stamped signatures are not allowed on the application.

• Driver License/ID Card application (English)
• Driver License/ID Card application (Spanish)

The application will be moved to your Download folder when you click on it. Please look for it there. 

Expired Driver License?

If your South Dakota driver license is expired more than 30 days, you are required to visit a South Dakota driver exam station in-person and 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 for appointment information or call (605) 773-6883 to schedule.

Expired ID Card?

If your ID card has been expired for more than 30 days and you are eligible to renew, you may complete the renewal process in-person, online or by mail. 

Full-Time Travelers

If you are a South Dakota resident who travels full time, you can renew your license/ID card online or by mail once every 10 years.  Otherwise, you must visit a South Dakota driver exam station to renew in person.

In addition to the standard renewal items 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 (PMB) service address.
  • This document could include a receipt from the PMB business or a piece of mail with your PMB address on it (the address on the piece of mail 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.

Use these helpful links to find information about renewing:  Online or By Mail

Questions?

Please call (605) 773-6883 or email the Driver Licensing Program staff if you have questions about the renewal process, what documents you need to provide, if you are eligible to renew, etc. Our call center is open 9AM-4PM Central Time Monday-Friday (closed on state holidays).