Mount Rushmore State on Wheels: Your 2025 Guide to a South Dakota Driver's License

Getting your driver's license in South Dakota is a significant milestone, opening up the vast prairies and beautiful Black Hills. To ensure all new drivers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge, the state follows a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program. This system is designed to help young drivers gain experience in stages, progressively increasing their driving privileges. For adults, the path is more direct but still requires careful adherence to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) regulations.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, whether you're a teen starting the GDL journey or an adult getting licensed for the first time in the Mount Rushmore State.

For Teen Drivers: The Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program

South Dakota's GDL program is a proven framework for reducing crashes among young, inexperienced drivers. It's broken down into two main stages before a full, unrestricted license can be obtained.

Stage 1: The Instruction Permit

This is your official entry into the world of driving. The Instruction Permit allows you to legally practice operating a vehicle under the supervision of an experienced adult.

Eligibility and How to Apply:

• Age: You must be at least 14 years old.
• Application: You will need to complete the South Dakota Driver License/ID Card Application.
• Documentation: You must visit a driver exam station and provide the required documents to prove your identity, date of birth, Social Security number, and two proofs of your South Dakota address. For a REAL ID-compliant permit, specific documents are required (see our full Document Checklist article). A parent or guardian must accompany you to sign their consent.
• Tests: You must pass two tests at the exam station:
  • Vision Screening: A basic eye test to ensure you meet the minimum vision standards.
  • Knowledge Test: A computerized test of 25 questions covering traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices from the South Dakota Driver License Manual. You must get at least 21 questions right (an 84% score) to pass.

Once you pass the tests and pay the required fee, you will be issued your Instruction Permit.

Instruction Permit Rules:

• Supervision: You must always be accompanied by a licensed driver who is seated in the front passenger seat.
• Validity: The permit is valid for five years.

Stage 2: The Restricted Minor's Permit

After gaining experience with your instruction permit, you can graduate to a Restricted Minor's Permit. This allows you to drive alone, but with critical safety restrictions.

Eligibility:

• You must be at least 14 years old.
• You must have held your Instruction Permit for a specific duration:
  • With a state-approved Driver's Ed course: You must hold your permit for at least 90 continuous days.
  • Without Driver's Ed: You must hold your permit for at least 180 continuous days.
• You must not have any traffic convictions during the permit-holding period.

How to Apply:

1. Schedule a Driving Test: You must schedule your driving (road) test appointment online through the SD DPS website.
2. Parental Consent: Your parent or guardian must provide written consent for you to be issued the restricted permit.
3. Pass the Driving Test: This is the practical, behind-the-wheel exam where an examiner will assess your ability to safely control a vehicle and follow traffic laws.

Restricted Minor's Permit Rules:

• Driving Curfew: You are not permitted to drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless a parent or legal guardian is in the front seat.
• Cell Phone Use: You are prohibited from using any wireless communication device, including for texting or talking, while driving.
• Passenger Limit: This rule is designed to limit distractions.
  • For the first six months, you cannot have any passengers who are not members of your immediate family.
  • After six months, you may transport one passenger who is not a family member.
  • The passenger restriction does not apply if a parent or guardian is in the front seat.

Stage 3: The Full Operator's License

This is the final goal: a full, unrestricted license with no GDL limitations.

Eligibility:

• You must be at least 16 years old.
• You must have held your Restricted Minor's Permit for at least six months.
• You must have remained free of any traffic convictions for the six months prior to applying.
• Your parent or guardian must provide consent.

Once you meet these requirements and have driven with your Restricted Permit until age 16, the GDL restrictions are lifted, and you can obtain your full license.

For Adult Drivers (18 and Older)

If you are a new driver aged 18 or older, you are not required to follow the GDL time restrictions.

1. Get an Instruction Permit: You will follow the same process as a teen to get your permit by providing the required documents and passing the vision and knowledge tests at a driver exam station.
2. Practice Driving: It is highly recommended that you practice with a licensed driver until you are fully confident in your ability to safely handle all common driving situations.
3. Take the Driving Test: Schedule and pass your driving test.
4. Get Your License: After passing the test and paying the fee, you will be issued your full, unrestricted Operator's License.