South Dakota DMV driving test, SD drivers license, CDL, motorcycle practice test

How to Earn Your Driver’s License in SD

Automobile License

If you are on a territory of South Dakota and wish to drive, you are obliged to obtain a driver’s license. Teen drivers are required to enroll in the Graduated Licensing Program (GDL).

The GDL typically consists of the three levels:

• learner’s permit. Consider applying if you are 14 years old. You are going to need your parent’s or guardian’s approval. Other requirements include submitting identification documents and SSN, undergoing vision screening and an SD written permit test. Instruction permit stays valid for a year and the one-time permit fee is $28;
• restricted minor’s permit. To qualify, you must reach 15 years of age. You will be asked to submit your identification documents, SSN and parent’s approval. Also, you are to undergo a South Dakota driving road test or submit a Driver’s Education certificate with a minimum of 80 percent passing score. The fee is $28;
• operator’s license. If you are 16, you can qualify for an operator’s license. You must not have any moving violations recorded prior to applying. Make sure to bring in your identification documents, your restricted minor’s permit and pay a $28 licensing fee.

Motorcycle License

Anyone aged 14 can qualify for a motorcycle license in South Dakota. This will enable you to earn an instruction permit.

To gain a motorcycle instruction permit, you will be asked to pass a vision screening and a SD driver knowledge test. Note that your parent has to accompany you to the DMV office for your exams.

Once you gained your instruction permit, you will have to hold it for 180 days. To reduce this period to 90 days, you can undergo a certified driver training course. Undergoing the national motorcycle course reduces the period to just 30 days.

Next step is to gain a restricted minor’s permit. At this point, you will be asked to pass a driving test provided that you had no moving violations during six months prior to applying.

As soon as you reach 16 years of age and can present a clear driving record, you can upgrade your restricted minor’s permit to an operator’s license.

Commercial Driver’s License

The first thing to do to get a commercial driver’s license in South Dakota is to gain a commercial instruction permit (you are required to already hold a valid driver’s license when applying).

Upon passing a vision screening and a knowledge test and undergoing a medical check-up, you will be issued a commercial learner’s permit which is active for six months.

The first step to getting your CDL is earning a commercial learner’s permit. You will be asked to:

To qualify for a full driver’s license you will need to undergo a driving test. Note that the road test fee is $90 (excluding tax). The fee for earning an endorsement is $15 per endorsement.

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