South Dakota Driving Record

South Dakota Driver License

Anyone who operates a motor vehicle or motor-driven cycle on public roadways in South Dakota is required to have a driver license. You are required to have a South Dakota driver license if you live here for more than 90 days. If you are a commercial driver license holder, you must apply for a South Dakota license within 30 days. South Dakota law states that every licensee shall have their driver license in their immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle.

South Dakota Driver License

You may obtain a driver license if you

• Are at least 14 years of age,
• Are able to show proof of legal name, age and identity (see pages 2 & 3 for a list of acceptable documents). Your Social Security number will be requested Our examiners have the right to question any documents and request additional information for verification of identity prior to license issuance.
• Have parental/guardian consent if under age 18 for every application completed. Parent/guardian must accompany minor to the driver exam station to sign their consent on the application form.
• Pass needed driver license tests
• Turn in any driver license or identification card
• Do not currently have suspended, revoked, or denied driving privileges in South Dakota or any other state
• Are not in this country illegally
• Have not been found by a court to be mentally incompetent, alcoholic, or a habitual user of illegal drugs
• Have no unpaid fines for moving traffic violations
• Are from a foreign country and can show U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services documents with date of legal presence in the United States

Losing your License in South Dakota

In order to keep your driver license, you must drive safely at all times. You can lose your license for

• Drug Conviction in a vehicle
• A conviction for driving while intoxicated
• Alcohol conviction by a minor,
• Arrested for .02% BAC (under 21 years old) and refuse to be tested for alcohol or drugs if you are asked to do so by a police officer,
• Driving during period of Court Sentence prohibiting driving
• Driving while license is suspended, canceled, revoked or denied
• Giving false information when you apply for a driver license or a non-driver identification card
• Failing to settle a financial judgment made against you for damages resulting from a motor vehicle accident
• Attempting to change the information on your license or using someone else’s license
• Failing to appear for a re-examination when requested to do so by Driver Licensing
• Using a motor vehicle to commit a felony or causing the death of someone in a motor vehicle accident
• Having too many points on your driving record, as dictated by the current point system
• Failure to maintain proof of insurance on every vehicle owned
• Any conviction of a traffic violation committed prior to the age of 16 by the holder of a restricted permit or learner permit
• Failure to pay a fine resulting from a conviction of a moving violation
• Any convictions for violating the restrictions of the license for a driver under 18 years of age
• Sale/distribution of alcohol to a minor under 21 years of age
• Possession of alcohol by a minor under 21 years of age
• Eluding law enforcement

South Dakota Drunk Driving

If you have physical control of a vehicle (you don’t have to be driving) you can be arrested if your blood alcohol contact (BAC) is over the legal limit. If you are arrested for drinking and driving, the penalties are severe. If you are placed under arrest for DWI or, if under 21, for Zero Tolerance (.02 to .08 BAC) by the police, you may be asked to take a chemical test to determine your BAC. You give your consent for a chemical test whenever you drive on a public highway. A Blood Alcohol Content of .08% (.02% if under 21 years of age) or more is evidence that you were driving under the influence of alcohol.

South Dakota Point System

Additional South Dakota Resources

• South Dakota Driver Manual
• Drinking & Driving Violations
• Driving Without a License / With a Suspended License
• Driving Without a License / With a Suspended License
• Driving Without Insurance / With Insufficient Insurance
• Driving Without Registration / With Expired Registration
• Driving Without Registration / With Expired Registration
• Illegal U-Turn
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident / Hit & Run
• Mechanical Violations
• Mechanical Violations
• Mechanical Violations
• Mechanical Violations
• Reckless Driving
• Running a Red Light / Stop Sign
• Seat Belt / Child Restraint Violations
• Seat Belt / Child Restraint Violations
• Speeding
• Unlawful Vehicle Modifications
• Unlawful Vehicle Modifications
• Unlawful Vehicle Modifications