Renewing your South Dakota driver's license in person or by mail
You can renew your South Dakota driver's license either in person at a Driver Licensing Exam Station or by mail, depending on your situation and how much time you have. In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary license the same day. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires no trip to an office.
Your renewal notice arrives in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. This notice contains your renewal code, which you need for either method. If you have not received a notice and your license is expiring soon, contact the South Dakota Department of Public Safety Driver Licensing Program at 605-773-6883.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew by mail using your renewal notice and a check or money order, or renew in person at any Driver Licensing Exam Station with your current license and payment.
- In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes and you receive a temporary license when ready; mail renewal takes two to three weeks.
- Your renewal notice arrives about 60 days before expiration and contains the renewal code you need for either method.
- If you have moved, changed your name, or need to correct information on your license, you must renew in person, not by mail.
- The renewal fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $44.50 for an eight-year license, payable by cash, check, money order, or card at an office.
Renewing by mail with your renewal notice
Mail renewal is the slowest option but requires no office visit. You will need your renewal notice (which arrived in the mail), a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a pen. The fee is $24.50 for a four-year license or $44.50 for an eight-year license.
Fill out the renewal notice completely, including your renewal code. Write your check or money order payable to "South Dakota Department of Public Safety." Mail both the notice and payment to the address printed on the notice itself. Do not send cash. Your new license will arrive by mail in two to three weeks. During this time, your old license remains valid.
Mail renewal works only if your address, name, and other information on file have not changed. If you have moved, changed your name, or need to correct any information, you must renew in person instead.
Renewing in person at a Driver Licensing Exam Station
In-person renewal is faster and gives you a temporary license on the spot. You will need your current driver's license, your renewal notice (if you have it), and payment. Bring a check, money order, cash, or debit or credit card — all payment methods are accepted at offices.
Go to any Driver Licensing Exam Station in South Dakota. You do not have to go to the office in your county. Walk in during business hours; most offices do not take appointments for renewals. Bring your current license and tell the staff member you are renewing. They will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your payment. The whole process takes about 30 minutes.
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives within two to three weeks. If you need to drive before your permanent license arrives, the temporary license is valid for all purposes.
When you must renew in person, not by mail
Some situations require an in-person visit because the office staff need to verify information or take a new photo. You cannot use mail renewal if you have moved to a new address, changed your name, or need to correct any information on your current license.
You also must renew in person if your license has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled, or if you are renewing after it has been expired for more than one year. If you are unsure whether your situation requires an in-person visit, call the Driver Licensing Program at 605-773-6883 before mailing anything.
Finding a Driver Licensing Exam Station near you
South Dakota operates Driver Licensing Exam Stations in most towns and cities. The main office is in Pierre, but you can renew at any station statewide. Visit the South Dakota Department of Public Safety website and search for "Driver Licensing Exam Stations" to find the office nearest you, along with hours and directions.
Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Some larger cities have multiple locations. Call ahead if you want to confirm hours, especially during holidays or if you are traveling a distance.
What to expect when your new license arrives
Your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks of your in-person renewal or mail renewal. Check the envelope carefully — it should contain your new license and nothing else. If you renewed in person, you already have a temporary license, so the permanent one is a replacement.
Destroy your old license once you receive the new one. You do not need to return it. If your new license does not arrive within three weeks, or if it arrives damaged, contact the Driver Licensing Program at 605-773-6883.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it has already expired?
Yes, but the process depends on how long it has been expired. If your license expired less than one year ago, you can renew by mail or in person using the same process. If it has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test and vision test. Call 605-773-6883 to confirm what you need.
What if I did not receive my renewal notice?
Contact the Driver Licensing Program at 605-773-6883 and provide your driver's license number. They can tell you whether a notice was mailed and resend one if needed. You can also renew in person at any Driver Licensing Exam Station without the notice — just bring your current license and payment.
Can I renew online?
South Dakota does not offer online renewal for driver's licenses. You must renew either by mail or in person at a Driver Licensing Exam Station. The mail option is the closest to an at-home process.
Do I need a new photo for renewal?
If you renew in person, yes — the office takes a new photo as part of the process. If you renew by mail, your photo from your current license is used on your new license, so no new photo is taken.
What if my address changed since I got my current license?
You must renew in person, not by mail. Bring your current license and proof of your new address (such as a utility bill or lease) to a Driver Licensing Exam Station. The staff will update your address and issue a new license with the correct information.