Roadwise States South Dakota Driving lessons Who can get a license South Dakota driving lesson · Your License
Who can get a 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 5, 7, 9 Anyone who drives a motor vehicle or a motor-driven cycle on South Dakota public roads needs a driver license. This lesson covers who qualifies, who can't, and the deadlines for new residents.
Know the rule
Anyone operating a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle on public roadways in South Dakota must have a driver license.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ 90 days New resident with a valid out-of-state non-commercial license must apply for a South Dakota license
Handbook p. 5 ↗ 30 days New resident holding a CDL must apply for a South Dakota license
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Know the rule
Non-residents who are at least 16 years old may drive on a valid operator license from their home state.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Know the rule
Always have your license in your immediate possession while driving, and show it on demand of a judge, court of record, magistrate, or peace officer.
Handbook p. 9 ↗ You may get a South Dakota driver license if you: Are at least 14 years old Provide the required documents Have parent/guardian consent if under 18 (required on every application) Pass the required driver license test(s) Turn in all existing driver licenses and ID cards Have no suspended, revoked, or denied driving privileges in SD or any other state Have not been found by a court mentally incompetent, alcoholic, or a habitual illegal-drug user Have no unpaid fines for moving traffic violations Are in the country legally (foreign applicants show USCIS legal-presence documents) Handbook p. 5 ↗ Who can't get a South Dakota driver license: Persons under 14 years of age Anyone with a license or driving privilege withdrawal in SD or any other state People with child support arrearages of $1,000 or more (may get one 6-month temporary license) Persons present illegally in the U.S. Persons determined medically or psychologically unfit to drive Handbook p. 7 ↗ Put it into practice
You move to Sioux Falls with a valid Iowa license. You have 90 days after establishing residency to apply for a South Dakota license, and you surrender the Iowa card when you apply. If your Iowa license were a CDL, the deadline would be 30 days.
A useful reminder Keep the two deadlines apart: 90 days for a regular license, 30 days for a CDL.
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.
What is the minimum age to apply for any South Dakota driver license or permit? 16 15 18 14 Answer: 14
You may obtain a driver license if you are at least 14 years of age, among other requirements.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ You just moved to South Dakota with a valid out-of-state non-commercial license. How long do you have to apply for a South Dakota license? 30 days 10 days 180 days 90 days Answer: 90 days
Holders of a valid out-of-state non-commercial license must apply for a South Dakota license within 90 days of establishing residency.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ A new South Dakota resident holds an out-of-state CDL. How long do they have to apply for a South Dakota license? 90 days 30 days 60 days 14 days Answer: 30 days
CDL holders must apply for a South Dakota license within 30 days of establishing residency, sooner than the 90-day window for non-CDL drivers.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ A non-resident who is at least 16 may legally drive in South Dakota using what? A learner's permit from their home state A valid operator license from their home state A South Dakota Instruction Permit A temporary South Dakota license Answer: A valid operator license from their home state
Non-residents at least 16 years of age can drive on a valid operator license issued by their home state.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ Which of these would disqualify you from getting a South Dakota driver license? Wearing corrective lenses Being 15 years old Holding a license from another state Unpaid moving-violation fines Answer: Unpaid moving-violation fines
You may not obtain a license if you have unpaid fines for moving traffic violations.
Handbook p. 5 ↗ A person owes $1,200 in child support arrearages. What license option might still be available to them? A one-time 6-month temporary license A full 5-year Operator's License A 30-day temporary permit An Instruction Permit only Answer: A one-time 6-month temporary license
People with child support arrearages of $1,000 or more may be eligible for one 6-month temporary license.
Handbook p. 7 ↗ Next lesson Documents you must bring About the source Roadwise’s South Dakota course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 5, 7, 9. 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.