All Drivers
If you’re renewing a license that has been expired for longer than a year, or if you’re applying for reinstatement after a suspension, you may have to retake the written exam in order to obtain your license.Free Practice Tests
Driver's License practice testsLearner's Permit practice tests
Motorcycle Endorsement practice tests
CDL practice tests
Road Signs and Signals practice tests
Resources for all drivers
Read the official South Dakota driver’s manualCheck out our frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Buy a driver’s license renewal test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Read our driving safety articles
South Dakota DPS quick links for all drivers
South Dakota DPS home pageDriver licensing FAQ
Schedule a renewal appointment
Renew online
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Identification requirements
Driver license forms & applications
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New & Teen Drivers
In order to apply for an Operator’s License in South Dakota, you must be at least 16 years of age and pass a vision screening, knowledge exam, and driving test. Persons under the age of 18 must also have held an Instruction Permit for at least 180 days (90 if you have completed an approved Department of Education driver education course) before they can apply for an Operator’s Permit. A Restricted Minor’s Permit may be obtained by persons age 14-18 after holding an Instruction Permit for 180 days (or 90 days, after passing a driver education course) and passing the vision screening, knowledge exam, and driving test. Persons age 14 or older may obtain an Instruction Permit after passing a vision exam and knowledge test.Resources for new & teen drivers
Read the official South Dakota driver’s manualTake one of our free learner’s permit practice tests
Check out our new & teen driver frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a learner’s permit test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Buy a driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy car insurance
South Dakota DPS quick links for new & teen drivers
South Dakota driver license informationTeen driving home page
Knowledge & road test information
Schedule a road test
New-to-State Drivers
New South Dakota residents are required to obtain a South Dakota license within 90 days of establishing residency in the state. No testing is required if you surrender a valid, out-of-state license.Resources for new-to-state drivers
Read the official South Dakota driver’s manualTake one of our free driver’s license practice tests
Check out our new-to-state frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a new-to-state driver’s license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy car insurance
South Dakota DPS quick links for new-to-state drivers
New resident informationMotorcycles
In order to apply for a Motorcycle Operator’s License in South Dakota, you must be at least 16 years of age and pass a vision screening, knowledge exam (car/truck and motorcycle), and driving test. Persons under the age of 18 must also have held a Motorcycle Instruction Permit for at least 180 days (90 if you have completed an approved Department of Education driver education course) before they can apply for a Motorcycle Operator’s Permit. A Motorcycle Restricted Minor’s Permit may be obtained by persons age 14-18 after holding a Motorcycle Instruction Permit for 180 days (or 90 days, after passing a driver education course) and passing the vision screening, knowledge exam (car/truck and motorcycle), and driving test. Persons age 14 or older may obtain a Motorcycle Instruction Permit after passing a vision exam and knowledge test (car/truck and motorcycle).Resources for motorcyclists
Read the official South Dakota motorcycle manualTake one of our free motorcycle license practice tests
Check out our motorcycle license frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Buy a motorcycle license test cheat sheet: basic or advanced
New-to-state motorcycle insurance
CDL
You must have a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) to drive a commercial motor vehicle in South Dakota. You must be at least 21 years of age and pass a knowledge exam and a skills test to be issued a CDL. You must be at least 18 years of age and pass a knowledge exam to be issued a CLP.Resources for CDL
Read the official South Dakota CDL manualTake one of our free CDL practice tests
Buy a CDL test paid cheat sheet: basic or advanced
Check rates or buy CDL insurance
South Dakota DPS quick links for CDL
CDL informationCDL third party testers