Roadwise States South Dakota Driving lessons Renewal and keeping your license South Dakota driving lesson · Your License
Renewal and keeping your license A 3-minute lesson from the South Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Your License
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 10, 12 Your license lasts 5 years and must be renewed on time. It can also be taken away for a long list of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with how you drove on a given day.
5 years License validity; it expires on your birthday (or 30 days after it if you're turning 21)
Handbook p. 12 ↗ 180 days How early you may renew before expiration (unless you're turning 21)
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Know the rule
A license expiring 30 days after the 21st birthday may only be renewed on or within the 30 days immediately following that birthday.
Handbook p. 10 ↗ Know the rule
A vision test is required at every renewal. If the license you surrender is expired, a knowledge test is also required.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Know the rule
Renewals, duplicates and restricted-permit upgrades may be done online; an eligible person may renew or replace by mail or online once in any ten-year period.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Know the rule
Drivers from foreign countries get a license for the length of their legal stay, based on USCIS documents, not to exceed 5 years.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ You can lose your license for: A drug conviction in a vehicle, or a DWI conviction An alcohol conviction as a minor Refusing an alcohol or drug test requested by a police officer Driving while suspended, cancelled, revoked or denied, or during a court ban Giving false information on a license or ID application Failing to settle a judgment for damages from a motor vehicle accident Altering your license or using someone else's Failing to appear for a re-examination requested by Driver Licensing Using a vehicle to commit a felony, or causing a death in a crash Handbook p. 12 ↗ …and also for: Too many points on your driving record Not maintaining proof of insurance, or driving without it A traffic conviction before age 16 while holding a permit Failure to pay a fine from a traffic conviction Owing $1,000 or more to a South Dakota government agency Violating the restrictions of a license for drivers under 18 Being under 21 and arrested at 0.02% to 0.079% BAC Selling/giving alcohol to, or possession of alcohol by, a minor under 21 Eluding law enforcement Handbook p. 12 ↗ Put it into practice
Your license expires on your birthday in August. You may renew it any time from roughly February on (up to 180 days early). If you're turning 21, wait until your birthday; you then have 30 days to renew.
A useful reminder Expired card at renewal means a vision AND a knowledge test; on time, it's the vision test only.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How long is a standard South Dakota driver license valid for? 2 years 4 years 5 years 10 years Answer: 5 years
Your driver license is valid for 5 years and expires on your birthday, unless turning 21.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ How far in advance of expiration may you renew a South Dakota driver license? Only on the day it expires Up to 30 days before it expires Up to 1 year before it expires Up to 180 days before it expires Answer: Up to 180 days before it expires
Licenses may be renewed up to 180 days prior to their expiration date, unless the applicant is turning 21.
Handbook p. 10 ↗ A license holder is turning 21 with five or fewer years remaining until that birthday. When does their license expire? 5 years from the issue date On their 21st birthday exactly 30 days after their 21st birthday 90 days after their 21st birthday Answer: 30 days after their 21st birthday
Any license issued to someone under 21 with five years or less until their 21st birthday expires 30 days after that birthday.
Handbook p. 9 ↗ If the driver license you surrender for renewal has already expired, what additional test is required? No additional test A drive test only A hearing test A knowledge test Answer: A knowledge test
If the surrendered license is expired, a knowledge test is required in addition to the vision test.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Which of these is grounds for losing your South Dakota driver license? Refusing a police-requested alcohol or drug test Driving with corrective lenses as required Renewing your license online Receiving a written warning from an officer Answer: Refusing a police-requested alcohol or drug test
Refusing to be tested for alcohol or drugs when asked by a police officer is listed as grounds for losing your license.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Driver license renewals can only be completed in person at an exam station; online renewal is not available. True False Answer: False
Since July 1, 2014, driver license renewals may be done online through the Skip the Trip program.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Previous lesson Motorcycle permits, IDs and duplicates Next lesson Suspension, revocation and reinstatement About the source Roadwise’s South Dakota course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 10, 12. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check South Dakota’s DPS. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.