South Dakota · DPS

How to get your CDL permit in South Dakota

In South Dakota you apply for a CLP at a state exam station and pass the CDL knowledge tests, which are given only in English. The permit lasts up to 1 year, and skills tests are given by third-party testers.

Last checked September 26, 2026 against official DPS sources

Start the free South Dakota permit classroom Official South Dakota CDL manual

Minimum age: 18 (in South Dakota only) · 21 to cross state lines
Permit fee: Check with DPS
Permit valid for: Up to 1 year
Wait before road test: 14 days
Knowledge test language: English only
Passing score: 80%

Step by step

1Hold a valid South Dakota driver license and be at least 18.
2Study the South Dakota CDL Manual for the class and endorsements you want.
3Gather proof of identity, Social Security number, and two recent proofs of your South Dakota address.
4Go to a state exam station, apply, and pay the application fee.
5Pass the General Knowledge test plus any class and endorsement tests you need, all in English.
6Practice for at least 14 days with a CDL holder age 21 or older in the front seat.
7Before your skills test, finish Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) with a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry.
8Schedule your skills test with a third-party tester at least 2 business days ahead.

What to bring

Your valid South Dakota driver license
Proof of identity, such as a certified birth certificate, valid passport, or naturalization certificate
Original proof of your Social Security number (card, W-2, 1099 or pay stub — no photocopies)
Two documents under a year old showing your name and physical address (no P.O. box or handwritten addresses)
Your DOT medical certificate, if it applies to you

Medical card

You will need a DOT medical certificate if you drive in non-excepted commerce. Medical examiners now send exam results electronically through FMCSA to the state.

Fees

CDL application feeState law does not list a separate CLP fee.	$43
Endorsement knowledge testPer endorsement test.	$20
Skills test (third-party tester)	$90 plus tax

Fees change. Confirm the current amount with DPS before you go.

The tests you'll take

General Knowledge (everyone)
Air Brakes (if your truck has air brakes)
Combination Vehicles (Class A)
Endorsements as needed: Passenger, HazMat, Tanker, Doubles/Triples, School Bus

Testing in South Dakota

All CDL knowledge and skills tests are given in English under South Dakota law.
Skills tests are given by third-party testers for $90 plus tax.
You must schedule a skills test at least 2 business days in advance.

Study for these tests in the South Dakota classroom

Good to know in South Dakota

Renewing your CLP means retaking every knowledge test, and any skills test sections you already passed are wiped out.
A 2026 state law makes English proficiency a CDL requirement, with misdemeanor penalties for roadside violations.
Your supervising CDL holder must be 21 or older and seated next to you (or directly behind you in a bus).
Before paying a CDL school, check that it is still listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. Thousands of providers were removed in 2025–2026.

Non-domiciled applicants

South Dakota law now limits non-domiciled CLPs and CDLs to H-2A, H-2B or E-2 visa holders. You need a foreign passport and I-94, and the credential lasts 1 year or until your I-94 ends.

Confirm with DPS before you go

We couldn't confirm these from official sources, so we left them out rather than guess:

Whether there is a separate CLP fee — confirm with DPS before you go.
Whether you need an appointment for knowledge tests.
How long you must wait to retake a failed knowledge test.
The vision standard for commercial applicants.
How to submit your medical certificate and self-certification to DPS.

Federal rules that apply in every state(show)

Age: You can get a CLP at 18, but until you turn 21 you can only drive a commercial vehicle inside your own state. Hauling hazmat requires you to be 21.
Knowledge tests: Everyone takes General Knowledge. Class A adds Combination Vehicles, and anyone driving a truck with air brakes takes Air Brakes. You need at least 80% on each test.
14-day wait: You must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills (road) test. Some states make you wait longer.
Driving on a CLP: A CDL holder with the right class and endorsements must sit in the front seat whenever you drive. Hazmat is never allowed on a CLP. With a passenger or school bus permit you can't carry passengers, and with a tank permit the tank must be empty.
Entry-Level Driver Training: You must finish ELDT with a provider on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry before your Class A or B skills test. You do not need it to get the permit itself.
Medical card: You self-certify the kind of driving you will do. Most new drivers are 'non-excepted interstate' and need a DOT physical from a certified medical examiner, who now sends the results to your state electronically.
Clearinghouse check: Before issuing a CLP, your state checks FMCSA's Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. A 'prohibited' status blocks the permit until return-to-duty is complete.

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Official sources

This page is a study aid, not legal advice, and we are not affiliated with South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Rules and fees change, so always check with DPS before you apply.