Apply for a License (Under 18) in South Dakota

Applying for a Teen Driver's License in South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) requires drivers under 18 years old to follow its graduated driver's licensing (GDL) process.

Beginning with an instruction permit, the process takes you through several stages and lifts restrictions as drivers become more experienced.

GDL processes help make you a safer driver and aims to reduce the accident rates in teens.

REAL ID Requirements in South Dakota

The South Dakota DPS complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005, meaning it provides first-time driver license applicants with REAL ID-compliant driver licenses. REAL ID driver’s licenses meet the federal identification requirements required for tasks such as entering federal buildings and boarding domestic commercial flights. Without a REAL ID, you'll need to bring your passport or birth certificate for such activities after October 1, 2021.

New applicants will automatically receive a REAL ID. For more details, visit the DPS' guide to required REAL ID documents.

New to South Dakota?

If you're a new South Dakota resident, you transfer your out-of-state driver's license within 90 days of moving to the state.

If you are a teen driver, contact the DPS at (605) 773-6883 to find out which South Dakota permit or driver's license you are eligible to receive.

Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver's License

Regardless of what you apply for, you must apply in person at a DPS office. You'll need:

  • Your parent or guardian to give permission, if you're under 18 years old.
  • Proof of your identity, date of birth, and lawful U.S. status, such as your:
  • Proof of your Social Security number, such as:
    • Your Social Security card.
    • A W-2 form.
    • A 1099 statement.
  • 2 documents to prove your SD residency and physical address, such as:
    • A school report card or transcript.
    • A pay-stub.
    • Your parent or guardian's residency forms, if you do not have your own. If you use your parents' documents you must provide a signed and notarized Consent for Use of South Dakota Address.
  • Payment for the fee by cash, check, or money order.
    • Contact the South Dakota DPS for exact fees, as they may be adjusted based on your age or licensing stage.

You will need to pass a vision screening and may also need to pass a:

  • Written knowledge test.
  • Driving skills test.

The South Dakota DPS makes certain considerations if you've taken Driver's Ed in your previous state, but will only accept courses that meet South Dakota DPS requirements.

SD Graduated Driver's License Program

The graduated driver licensing (GDL) process in South Dakota applies if you're under 18 years old and wish to get your driver's license.

The three stages of the GDL process are:

  • Instruction permit: Allows supervised driving only.
  • Restricted minor's permit: Allows restricted unsupervised driving.
  • Operator's driver's license: Allows full driving privileges.

Read below for more information about each stage, including eligibility requirements and restrictions.

Age Requirements

You must meet minimum age requirements for each GDL stage:

  • Instruction permit: 14 years old.
  • Restricted minor's permit: Eligible after holding your instruction permit for 275 days.
    • Reduced to 180 days if you pass an approved Driver's Ed course.
  • Operator's driver's license: 16 years old.

South Dakota Instruction Permit

A South Dakota learner's permit, or instruction permit, is required for all new drivers under 18 years old. It gives you time to learn the information and skills you need to be a responsible driver.

To get an instruction permit, you must be at least 14 years old. Visit a DPS office in person with:

  • Your parent or guardian, so they can give their permission.
  • Proof of your identity (including date of birth and lawful U.S. status), such as your:
    • Certified U.S. birth certificate.
    • Valid U.S. passport.
    • Citizenship or naturalization documents.
  • Your Social Security card, a W-2, or a 1099 statement to prove your Social Security number.
  • 2 documents to prove your SD residency and physical address, such as your:
    • School report card or transcript.
    • Pay stub.
    • Parent or guardian's residency forms, if you do not have your own. If you use your parents' documents you must provide a signed and notarized Consent for Use of South Dakota Address.
  • Payment for the $28 fee (cash, check, or money order).

To receive an instruction permit, you must pass a:

  • Vision screening.
  • Written knowledge test.
DMV.ORG TIP: Don't stress about the test!

Although the DPS suggests studying the SD Driver's Manual, we recommend taking a practice knowledge test to feel more prepared and confident when you go for your written permit exam.

NOTE: Your permit will be valid for 1 year. If you let it expire and you're under 18 years old when you reapply, you will have to start the instruction period over again.

Instruction Permit Driving Restrictions

Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., you are restricted to only driving with a supervising driver who:

  • Is at least 18 years old.
  • Has at least 1 year of driving experience.
  • Is sitting next to you.

You can only drive if supervised by your parent or legal guardian between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Driver's Ed in South Dakota

The best way to learn driving skills while you have your instruction permit is by completing a driver's education course.

If you successfully complete Driver's Ed, you can:

  • Reduce the amount of time you must hold your instruction permit from 275 days to 180 days.
  • Bypass the SD DPS driving test.
    • Must get at least 80% in an approved Driver's Ed class.
    • Driver's Ed is not expired.

Restricted Minor's Permit

The restricted minor's permit is the intermediate stage between the instruction permit and full driving privileges.

To move on to your restricted minor's permit, you must have:

  • Held your instruction permit for at least 275 days (180 days if you took an approved Driver's Ed class). It cannot be expired.
  • No traffic violation convictions within the previous 6 months.
  • Have a minimum of 50 hours of parent/guardian supervised driving which must include a minimum of:
  • 10 hours of night driving.
  • 10 hours of inclement weather driving.

Apply for a Restricted Minor's Permit

You must apply in person at a DPS office. You'll need:

  • Your parent or guardian present to give permission.
  • Proof of your identity (including date of birth and lawful U.S. status), such as your:
    • Certified U.S. birth certificate.
    • Valid U.S. passport.
    • Citizenship or naturalization documents.
  • Proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, a W-2, or a 1099 statement).
  • 2 documents to prove your SD residency and physical address, such as:
    • A school report card or transcript.
    • A pay stub.
    • Your parent or guardian's residency forms, if you do not have your own. If you use your parents' documents you must provide a signed and notarized Consent for Use of South Dakota Address.

It is free to move from the instruction permit to the restricted minor's permit.

To receive your restricted minor's permit, you'll have to either:

  • Pass a road skills (driving) test.
    OR
  • Present a signed Driver's Ed completion certificate showing you scored at least 80% in an approved course.

Your restricted minor's permit will be valid for 5 years.

Minor's Permit Driving Restrictions

With a restricted minor's permit, you can drive:

  • Unsupervised from 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., with your parent or guardian's permission.
  • Supervised by a parent or guardian between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
  • Cannot have any passengers outside their immediate family or household for the first 6 months after issuance. 
  • May only have one passenger outside their immediate family or household after the initial 6 months after issuance.

South Dakota Operator's License

The South Dakota operator's license is a regular driver's license with full privileges.

You can apply for your operator's license once you turn 16 years old and have held a restricted minor's permit for at least 6 months.

If you do not apply for an operator's license, your restricted minor's permit will become an operator's license when you turn 18 years old.

Apply for Your Operator's License

You can apply for your operator's license by mail or in person.

By Mail

To apply for your operator's driver's license by mail, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Have had no traffic convictions.
  • Held a Restricted Minor's Permit for at least 6 months.

You will need:

  • A completed South Dakota Driver's License/I.D. Card Application.
    • If you are under 18 years old, your parent or guardian must sign the form AND their signature must be notarized.
  • A copy of your current minor's permit.
  • 2 documents proving you are a SD resident.
    • These can be copies.
    • They may be provided by your parent who signs the form. If you use your parents' documents you must provide a signed and notarized Consent for Use of South Dakota Address.
  • A check or money order for the $28 fee.
    • NOTE: The fee is adjusted if you are under 21 years old. For the exact fee, call the South Dakota Department of Public Safety at (605) 773-6883 .

Send your application materials to:

Driver Licensing
118 West Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501

NOTE: When you receive your new driver's license, mail your permit to the SD DPS in the envelope provided.

In Person

You can also apply for your operator's license in person at a DPS office.

To upgrade your minor's restricted permit to an operator's license, you will need to bring:

  • Your parent or guardian to give permission.
  • Your minor's restricted permit.
  • 2 documents proving you are a SD resident and showing your physical address.
    • These can be provided by your parent who signs the form.
  • Payment for the $28 fee (cash, check, or money order). If you are under 21 years old, your fee will be adjusted. Contact the DPS for details.

To upgrade your instruction permit to an operator's driver's license, you must be at least 16 years old. You will need to bring:

  • Your parent or guardian to give permission.
  • Proof of your identity (including date of birth and lawful U.S. status), such as your:
    • Certified U.S. birth certificate.
    • Valid U.S. passport.
    • Citizenship or naturalization documents.
  • Your Social Security card, a W-2, or a 1099 statement.
  • 2 documents to prove your SD residency and physical address, such as:
    • A school report card or transcript.
    • A pay stub.
    • Your parent or guardian's residency forms. If you use your parents' documents you must provide a signed and notarized Consent for Use of South Dakota Address.
  • Payment for the $28 fee (payable by cash, check, or money order). The fee may be different depending on your age. Call (605) 773-6883 for the exact fee.

You will also need to:

  • Pass a road skills (driving) test.
    OR
  • Present a valid and signed Driver's Ed completion certificate showing you scored at least 80% in an approved course.

If you'd like to keep track of your major steps along the way, check out our new license checklist.

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