History of DMV

Drivers in South Dakota fall primarily under the jurisdiction of two state organizations, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the
Department of Revenue and Regulation.

The mission of the Department of Public Safety is "to keep South Dakota a safe place in which to live, work, visit, and raise a family." Among the many responsibilities that fall under this department are:

• Testing, licensing, and regulating of commercial and non-commercial drivers

• Providing law enforcement, commercial vehicle regulation, and highway traffic safety services

• Compiling and analyzing motor vehicle crash data

These tasks (plus many others) are divided among the agencies that make up this department. Among them are the Highway Patrol, Highway Safety, Emergency Management, Accident Records, Motor Carrier Services, and Driver Licensing agencies.

The Driver Licensing agency is responsible for issuing licenses for drivers of passenger, motorcycle, and commercial vehicles. Through its 78
exam stations scattered throughout the state, it also handles routine matters such as driver's license renewals, address changes, issuing duplicate licenses, and providing copies of driving records.

Within the Department of Revenue and Regulation are 11 divisions and three boards of commission which govern areas such banking, the state lottery, property and special taxes, and motor vehicles.

The Division of Motor Vehicles
(DMV) oversees nuts-and-bolts matters such as vehicle and boat titling and registration, license plates, disability parking, and dealer licensing.

Contact Information

• Department of Public Safety

• 118 West Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501

• Phone: (605) 773-3178

• Fax: (605) 773-3018

• E-mail: DPSInfo@state.sd.us

• Driver Licensing

• 118 West Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501

• Phone: (800) 952-3696

• Licensing Info: (605) 773-6883

• Fax: (605) 773-3018

• E-mail: dps.sdlicensinginfo@state.sd.us

• Department of Revenue and Regulation

• 445 East Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501

• Phone: (605) 773-3311

• Fax: (605) 773-6721

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• 445 East Capitol Ave.

• Pierre, SD 57501

• Phone: (605) 773-3541

• Fax: (605) 773-2550