Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I request a certified driver’s record online?
- The state of South Dakota does not offer certified copies of driving records online. You can obtain a non-certified version of your driving record online by visiting the South Dakota DMV website. If you want to obtain a certified copy of your driving record, you are required to visit one of the exam stations or mail a request to the following address:
Driver Licensing Program
118 W Capitol Ave, Pierre SD 57501
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
- If you are a South Dakota resident who believes that someone has illegally accessed your driving record, you can file a complaint against the offending party under the Federal Driver Privacy Protection Act (FDPPA). Anybody who obtains personal information from a driving record without permission will be accused of illegal access to information. If it is found that your information was illegally accessed, you may bring a civil lawsuit against the offending party. In order to file a complaint, you must first contact the South Dakota DMV on the following address:
Driver Licensing Program
118 W Capitol Ave, Pierre SD 57501
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- How do I get a copy of my driving record?
- South Dakota drivers can get a copy of their driving record by mail, online or in person. Check your driving record online by visiting the DMV website where you can pay for a non-certified electronic copy. To check your driving record in person, you are required to submit a completed and notarized Driver Licensing Request from Record Holder form, proof of identity and a payment of a $5 fee for each record, to one of the following exam stations:
- Aberdeen Exam Station
- Brookings Driver Exam Station
- Rapid City Driver Exam Station
- Sioux Falls Driver Exam Station
- Watertown Driver Exam Station
- Mitchell Driver Exam Station
- Yankton Driver Exam Station
Drivers in South Dakota can also have their driving records mailed to them by completing the Driver Licensing Request from Record Holder, paying a $5 fee for each record requested by sending all documentation to the following address:
Driver Licensing Program
118 W Capitol Ave, Pierre SD 57501
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
- In South Dakota, only certain individuals and organizations have the permission to obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record:
- Employers
- Insurance companies
- Government agencies
Individuals or businesses in South Dakota can obtain someone else’s driving record by mail or in person, by completing the following:
- A Request to Obtain South Dakota Abstract of Driver’s Operating Record form
- $5 fee for each record
Submit the request and payment to any of the exam stations in Aberdeen, Brookings, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, Mitchell and Yankton, or mail them to the following address:
Driver Licensing Program
118 W Capitol Ave, Pierre SD 57501
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
- South Dakota residents who refuse to submit to a chemical test requested by a law enforcement individual, will have their driver’s license revoked for a period of one year. In order to reinstate revoked drivers license, you will have to satisfy all of the requirements of the court ordered suspension. Visit a local South Dakota DMV office and file an application for suspended drivers license reinstatement. You will have to submit a SR22 insurance document as proof that you have valid insurance no matter whether you possess a vehicle or not. Payment of a reinstatement fee and any application fees are also required.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
- Residents of South Dakota who commit traffic violations will have demerit points added to their driving record. A driver’s license will be suspended if the number of demerit points reaches above 15 within a year, or above 22 within two years.
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
- South Dakota residents cannot remove demerit points from their driving record by attending and completing a traffic school course. Taking a traffic school course will provide you with an insurance discount, and may help you reduce the number of traffic violations you commit in the future.
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
- South Dakota residents whose driver’s licenses have been confiscated due to a DUI/DWI arrest, might be able to get it back after the period of suspension or revocation has passed. To reinstate suspended drivers licenses, you will have to submit an SR22 insurance document at the end of the suspension or revocation period. This insurance serves as a proof that you have valid insurance no matter whether you possess a vehicle or not. You will also be required to pay a reinstatement fee and any application fees. If you are a South Dakota driver with a revoked drivers license, you will have to pass the required tests again before a new license is issued. Go to a local South Dakota DMV office in order to begin the process of reinstating suspended drivers license.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- What are the different types of driving records?
- In South Dakota, there is only one official driving record, which includes the following information:
- Suspensions
- Violations
- Driving status
- Points
- Fines
- Violation codes
- License classification
- Endorsements
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
- South Dakota drivers who have been found driving above the legal alcohol limit, will receive a DUI citation. Penalties for DUI/DWI are:
- First offense:
â—¦ Revoked driver’s license from 30 days to one year
â—¦ Up to $2,000 fine
- Second offense:
â—¦ Revoked driver’s license for one year
â—¦ Up to $2,000 fine
â—¦ Court-approved alcohol treatment program
â—¦ Possible three-day jail time if convicted of another DUI conviction
- Third offense:
â—¦ Revoked driver’s license for one year
â—¦ Up to $4,000 fine
â—¦ Ten days jail time if caught driving in that period
- Fourth offense:
â—¦ Revoked driver’s license for two years
â—¦ Up to $10,000 fine
â—¦ Twenty days jail time if caught driving in that period
- Fifth or subsequent offense:
â—¦ Revoked driver’s license for three years
â—¦ Up to $20,000 fine
â—¦ Twenty days jail time if caught driving in that period
An additional penalty may include a lifetime revocation of driving privileges.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- What information does a driving record contain?
- A South Dakota motor vehicle record (MVR), or driving record, contains the following information:
- Suspensions
- Violations
- Driving status
- Points
- Fines
- Violation codes
- License classification
- Endorsements
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
- In South Dakota, the legal alcohol limit for all residents who operate motor vehicles depends on their age. If you are under 21, the legal alcohol limit is 0.02 percent. If you are 21 years of age and older, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08 percent. Drivers may also be charged with DUI citation even if they have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05 percent or higher. Drivers pulled over by a law enforcement official, and found to be above the legal alcohol limit will receive DWI citations.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- What is the cost of a DUI?
- The cost of a DUI conviction in South Dakota depends on the number of offenses the driver has committed:
- First offense: $2,000
- Second offense: $2,000
- Third offense: $4,000
- Fourth offense: $10,000
- Fifth or subsequent offense: $20,000
Drivers may also receive jail time and a period of suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- What is the cost to get a driver record?
- The cost of obtaining a driving record in South Dakota is $5 per record. South Dakota is restricted by a codified law to retrieve records only from three years prior to date of the driving record request. For further questions, call 1-800 952-3696 or (605) 773-6883.
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
- CDL drivers who are found with a blood alcohol content (BAC) higher than 0.04 percent, will received a DWI citation. If it is a first offense, their licenses will automatically be suspended for a year. DUI or DWI convictions while transporting hazardous materials will result in a three year license suspension. Any subsequent offense will result in a lifetime revocation of your CDL.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
- Minors found driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC above the legal alcohol limit of 0.02 percent , will face the following penalties:
- Demerit points added to your driving record
- Suspension or revocation of driver’s license
- Payment of a fine
- Possible jail time
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
- South Dakota motor vehicle operators who have been given a DUI citation resulting in a suspended or revoked drivers license, must meet all the following requirements in order to be able to apply for a suspended drivers license reinstatement:
- Complete the court requirements
- Complete the period of your driver’s license suspension
- Complete a possible court-approved alcohol treatment program
- Provide proof of SR22 insurance
- Provide payment for the driver’s license reinstatement fee
- Possible installment of an Ignition interlock device (IID)
- Successful retake of all exams in the case of a revoked driver’s license
Drivers can apply for suspended drivers license reinstatement at a local South Dakota DMV office.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
- Residents of South Dakota must install an ignition interlock device (IID) on the vehicle they drive, after a conviction of a DUI or DWI. An ignition interlock device (IID) is a device connected to the ignition, requiring the driver to breathe into it before starting the vehicle. This device detects the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of the driver, and whenever the concentration is above the legal limit, the vehicle s engine will not start. Further details about the ignition interlock device (IID) are available at the Driving Laws website.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota
- Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
- South Dakota drivers who believe that a recent traffic ticket or any other information is missing from their driving record, must contact a local South Dakota DMV office in order to notify them. A request for a revision of your driving record may be sent to:
Driver Licensing Program
118 W Capitol Ave, Pierre SD 57501
For more information: Your South Dakota Driving Record
- Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
- Drivers with DUI citations may be required to attend court-approved alcohol treatment programs. These programs may or may not be mandatory as they are assessed on a case by case basis.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for South Dakota