Where to go and what to bring in Sioux Falls

In Sioux Falls, you renew your driver's license at the Department of Public Safety Driver Licensing office, located at 118 West Capitol Avenue. This is the main office for Minnehaha County. You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions, which we cover below.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

You do not need an appointment to renew in person, but the office can get busy. Going early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter wait times. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed on state holidays.

Key Takeaways

  • The Sioux Falls Driver Licensing office is at 118 West Capitol Avenue and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no appointment needed.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security card or document showing your number.
  • You can renew by mail if your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have not changed your name or address.
  • The renewal fee is $24 for a four-year license or $48 for an eight-year license; you can pay by cash, check, or card.
  • Your new license arrives by mail within two to three weeks after you renew, and you can drive on your old license until it arrives.

Renewing by mail from Sioux Falls

South Dakota allows mail renewal only if your license has not yet expired, you have no medical restrictions or special conditions on your license, your name and address have not changed, and you are not changing your photo. If all of these explore to you, you can mail in your renewal process.

Request the renewal form by calling the Driver Licensing office at 605-773-6883, or read it from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety website. Fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it with a copy of your current license to the address on the form.

Mail renewal takes longer than in-person renewal — typically four to six weeks from the time the office receives your process. Your old license remains valid during this time, so you can continue to drive.

Renewal fees and license validity in South Dakota

A four-year driver's license costs $24 to renew. An eight-year license costs $48. You choose which term you want when you renew. The office accepts cash, checks, and debit or credit cards.

Your new license is valid for the term you choose — either four or eight years from the date of renewal. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. If you renew before your current license expires, your new license's expiration date is calculated from the date you renew, not from when your old one would have expired.

What happens if your license is expired

If your license has already expired, you cannot use mail renewal. You must go to the Driver Licensing office in person. Bring the same documents — your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or document.

An expired license does not automatically disqualify you from renewing. You can renew it at any time after expiration. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, so renew as soon as you notice it has lapsed.

Getting a new photo or changing your address

If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person at the Sioux Falls office. The office takes your photo at the time of renewal at no extra charge. Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal.

If you have moved to a new address in Sioux Falls or elsewhere in South Dakota, you must renew in person and bring proof of your new address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work as proof. A P.O. box does not count as a residential address for driver's license purposes.

Medical restrictions and special conditions

If your current license has medical restrictions — such as corrective lenses required, hearing aid required, or automatic transmission only — you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person so the office can verify that your medical condition has not changed or has improved.

Bring any documentation from your doctor or eye care provider that supports your current restrictions or shows that a restriction is no longer necessary. The office will review this and update your license accordingly.

What to do if you cannot find your Social Security card

You do not have to bring your physical Social Security card. Any document showing your Social Security number works — a tax return, W-2, 1099, Social Security statement, or bank statement with your number on it. If you do not have any of these, call the Driver Licensing office at 605-773-6883 to ask what other documents they accept.

Do not delay your renewal waiting for a replacement Social Security card. The Driver Licensing office can work with other forms of proof, and getting a replacement card from the Social Security Administration takes several weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota does not offer online renewal. You can renew in person at the Sioux Falls office or by mail if you meet the mail renewal conditions. Phone renewal is not available.

How long does my license stay valid after I renew?

Your new license is valid for either four or eight years, depending on which term you choose when you renew. The expiration date is printed on the front of your license. You can renew it anytime before or after it expires.

Can someone else renew my license for me?

For in-person renewal, you must go yourself. For mail renewal, you can have someone mail the form and fee on your behalf, but you must sign the process. Call the office at 605-773-6883 if you have questions about your specific situation.

What if I moved out of Sioux Falls but still have a South Dakota address?

You can still renew by mail if you meet all other mail renewal conditions, or you can renew in person at any Driver Licensing office in South Dakota. Bring proof of your new address. If you moved out of state, you will need to get a license from your new state.

Do I need to take a written test or vision test to renew?

For a standard renewal, you do not take a written test. You will have a vision screening at the office or provide a recent vision test result. If you are renewing by mail, you may need to provide proof of a recent vision test — call the office to confirm what they need.