I'm a new resident in South Dakota: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from South Dakota. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in South Dakota

Each rule comes from the South Dakota driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 90 days of establishing South Dakota residency (non-commercial license).

  What the manual says

  • A person with a valid out-of-state non-commercial license has 90 days after becoming a South Dakota resident to apply for a South Dakota license.

  • The 90-day deadline

    If you have a valid out-of-state non-commercial license, you are required to apply for a South Dakota driver license within 90 days of establishing residency in South Dakota. You must surrender all your South Dakota or out-of-state driver licenses and IDs when you apply. Your previous state is notified and your credential from that state becomes invalid.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 5

  Source: [1]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  No testing to transfer a valid out-of-state license, unless it has a hazardous materials endorsement.

  What the manual says

  • Transferring a valid out-of-state license requires no testing unless the license has a hazardous materials endorsement.

  • Where to apply and the tests

    If you are transferring to South Dakota from another state, you visit a South Dakota Driver Exam Station in person. If you hold a valid out-of-state driver license, no testing is required for the transfer of that license, unless you have a hazardous materials endorsement.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 10

  Source: [1] [2]

• Liability insurance

  Registered-vehicle owners need financial responsibility (e.g. liability insurance) and must carry written proof in the vehicle.

  What the manual says

  • The law applies to the owner of any motor vehicle that must be registered.
  • The accepted forms include a liability insurance policy, a surety company bond, a deposit certificate or a certificate of self-insurance.
  • The written evidence must be in the covered vehicle and shown to a law enforcement officer on request.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 13, 14

• How long the license lasts

  5 years, or until the documents authorizing U.S. presence expire, if sooner.

  What the manual says

  • The Operator's License is valid for five years or until the documents authorizing the holder's presence in the U.S. expire, whichever comes first.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Restricted Minor's Permit: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. with parent's permission; later, parent beside you except direct school, church, work, farm-work trips.

  What the manual says

  • From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. the holder may drive with the parent's or guardian's permission; from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. a parent or guardian must sit beside the driver, except on direct trips to or from school, church, work or farm work.
  • After 10 p.m. the holder may drive alone, by the most direct route, only to or from school or a school event, church or a church event, work, or driving ag machinery or doing farm related work.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8

• Passengers for teen drivers

  First 6 months on a Restricted Permit: only immediate family or household members as passengers.

  What the manual says

  • For the first 6 months no passengers are allowed except immediate family or members of the household.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 8

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Zero tolerance under 21: no alcohol; a BAC of 0.02% or more is evidence of driving under the influence.

  What the manual says

  • Zero tolerance means no alcohol at all in the circulatory system for drivers under 21.
  • Under 21, a BAC of 0.02% or more is evidence of driving under the influence.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 19, 20

• Refusing a chemical test

  Implied consent: you must take a requested BAC test; refusing can cost you your license for one year.

  What the manual says

  • South Dakota's implied consent law requires you to take the test when asked by an officer.
  • Refusing a BAC test can cost you your license for one year.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 20

• Seat belts

  Driver and front-seat passengers; also everyone under 18, front and back seats.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says it is illegal to drive or to be a front-seat passenger without wearing a seatbelt.
  • The manual says all operators, front seat passengers and children under 18 must wear appropriate restraints while the vehicle moves.

  • Phones and seat belts

    A Restricted Minor’s Permit holder may not use any type of wireless communication device while driving. Seat belts are required in South Dakota for anyone under 18 in the front and back seats.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 25, 26

  Source: [1] [3]

• Child safety seats

  Child under 5 needs a child restraint system; one weighing 40+ pounds may use a seatbelt.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires a child under five to be properly secured in a child passenger restraint system.
  • The child restraint requirement is met if a child under five weighing at least forty pounds is secured in a seatbelt.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 27

• Phone use while driving

  Texting, reading texts and social networking while driving are prohibited; permit holders may use no wireless device.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that texting, reading texts, and social networking while driving are prohibited by state law.
  • Both Instruction Permit holders and Restricted Minor's Permit holders are prohibited from using any type of wireless communication device while driving.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 19, 8

• School buses

  Always stop when its red lights flash or stop arm is out, unless a physical barrier separates the roadway.

  What the manual says

  • You must always stop unless the roadway is separated by a physical barrier.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 43

• Move Over law

  Amber, yellow, blue lights: from 300 feet merge to farthest lane; two-lane highways: slow at least 20 mph under limit.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires merging into the lane farthest from the vehicle and proceeding with caution, unless otherwise directed.
  • Both the merge rule and the slow-down rule apply at least three hundred feet before the vehicle.
  • On two-lane highways, motorists must slow to a speed at least twenty miles per hour less than the posted limit.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 2

• Headlights

  Manual advice: when it begins to get dark, and with wipers on in rain, snow or fog.

  What the manual says

  • Even turning them on a little early helps other drivers see you.
  • Headlights make vehicles easier to see in these conditions.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 54

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a complete stop when safe, unless a sign prohibits it; yield to everyone.

  What the manual says

  • A right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop when it is safe and no sign prohibits turning on red.
  • When turning on red you stop first and yield to everyone: pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32

• Left lane and keeping right

  Slower traffic stays in the right-most travel lane on multi-lane roads.

  What the manual says

  • Slower traffic stays in the right most travel lane.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 52

• Points and suspension

  Suspension if you get 15 points in 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in 24 months.

  What the manual says

  • Accumulating 15 points in 12 consecutive months makes an operator subject to suspension.
  • Accumulating 22 points in 24 consecutive months makes an operator subject to suspension.

  Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 14

Official steps for moving to South Dakota

• The 90-day deadline

  If you have a valid out-of-state non-commercial license, you are required to apply for a South Dakota driver license within 90 days of establishing residency in South Dakota. You must surrender all your South Dakota or out-of-state driver licenses and IDs when you apply. Your previous state is notified and your credential from that state becomes invalid.

  Source: [1]

• Where to apply and the tests

  If you are transferring to South Dakota from another state, you visit a South Dakota Driver Exam Station in person. If you hold a valid out-of-state driver license, no testing is required for the transfer of that license, unless you have a hazardous materials endorsement.

  Source: [1] [2]

• If your out-of-state license has a gold star (REAL ID)

  Out-of-state transfers with a REAL ID compliant license provide one identity document and two proofs of South Dakota address. For the identity document, you provide your REAL ID compliant driver license or ID card (valid or expired) and one of the other documents listed on the DPS Document Requirements page.

  Source: [4]

• If your out-of-state license has no gold star

  New residents who do not have a REAL ID compliant card from another state provide one identity document, one Social Security document and two proofs of South Dakota address. If you are a transfer from another state and do not have a gold star in the upper corner of your current driver license, you also provide your Social Security card, or a W-2, Form 1099 or pay stub that shows your complete Social Security number.

  Source: [5] [4]

• If you are not a U.S. citizen

  You must apply at a state Driver Licensing location. An unexpired Permanent Resident Card (I-551) is one of the identity documents non-citizens can bring. The DPS Document Requirements page lists the others.

  Source: [6] [4]

Sources

1. South Dakota Driver License Manual (revised 11/2024) (sd.gov) — South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing
2. Appointment Information (sd.gov) — South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing
3. South Dakota Teen Driver Graduated Licensing pamphlet (effective 7/1/2025) (sd.gov) — South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing
4. Document Requirements (sd.gov) — South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing
5. Obtain a South Dakota Driver License or ID Card (sd.gov) — South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing
6. Driver License Testing Information (with FAQ answers) (sd.gov) — South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing