Getting a drivers license renewal in South Dakota can be done in a few simple steps through the SD Department of Public Safety (DPS). Drivers licensed in the state can choose to complete a DMV license renewal by submitting the application in-person, by mail or online. All applicants for a renewal must be able to demonstrate that they meet all of the state’s eligibility requirements before they will be able to receive an updated license.

South Dakota drivers can only choose to renew a driver’s license online if they meet the necessary criteria. Military personnel and residents who are traveling out-of-state have additional options for renewal. All drivers licenses issued in South Dakota are part of the federal REAL ID program and can be used as acceptable ID at a number of government locations. Fees for renewal applications based on the type of renewal the applicant is requesting. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about renewing a license in South Dakota.

Eligibility for Drivers License Renewal in South Dakota

Regardless of whether an applicant chooses to submit a renewal request in person to a driver’s license office, by mail or online, all SD drivers must meet some basic eligibility requirements in order to receive a renewed license. An SD driver’s license renewal requires that an applicant driver meet the following criteria:

• Is at least 18 years of age.
• Is a current holder of an SD driver’s license, with or without a gold star in the upper right-hand corner.
• These drivers must provide proof of their Social Security Number (SSN) by showing an original SSN card, 1099 or paystub.
• Can provide two proofs of residency showing the applicant’s name and address. Acceptable proof includes: a recent utility bill, paystub, rent receipt, phone bill, bank statement, mortgage document, homeowner’s insurance or official tax document.
• Can provide proof of name change (if applicable), in the form of an original marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Drivers License in South Dakota

Drivers wondering where to renew a driver’s license in South Dakota should note that different submission methods have different eligibility requirements. South Dakota drivers with an expired driver’s license, for example, are required to submit a renewal request in-person to a DPS licensing agency and pass a written driving knowledge exam. Other cases in which SD drivers are not eligible for online renewal submission and instead must submit an application in person include drivers who:

• Have been issued a driver’s license in another state.
• Have not applied in-person to the SD DPS in the last ten years.
• Wish to change his or her name.
• Wish to change his or her license class, CDL class or endorsements.
• Are required to take a driving test.
• Wear bi-optical lenses.
• Have updated his or her status with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services).

How early can you renew your drivers license in South Dakota?

Drivers in South Dakota can choose to renew their driver’s license as soon 180 days before its expiration date in any method they are eligible for. Adults who are under the age of 21 cannot renew before their 21 birthday but can submit an application up to 30 days after their birthday.

South Dakota DMV License Renewal Options

The process for how to renew a driver’s license in South Dakota depends on the eligibility status of the applying driver. Most drivers can choose to submit a driver’s license renewal form online, by mail or in-person according to their preference. Some drivers, like those mentioned above, are restricted to submitting an application in-person at a DPS location. Read on for details on how to submit an application form in each of the three accepted methods in South Dakota.

How to Renew Your Drivers License Online

In order to submit a DMV license renewal request through South Dakota online system, drivers must be able to meet a few specific requirements. Eligibility criteria for online applicants in South Dakota include:

• Being an American citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
• Having an unexpired, federally compliant driver’s license or ID card with a gold star in the upper righthand corner.
• Being able to provide a driver’s license or ID card number, date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
• Being able to upload, email, fax or mail two proofs of residency.
• Providing a completed Vision Statement Form (for applicants 65 years of age and older)

The cost for renewing a driver’s license online is the same standard renewal fee that drivers will pay when submitting an application in any method, in addition to a $2 processing fee. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards.

Drivers who meet all online driver’s license renewal requirements can take the following steps to submit an online request:

1. Head to the SD DPS web portal.
2. Enter your identifying information to locate your record. Complete the application and upload the necessary supporting information.
3. Pay the application fee by credit or debit card.
4. Submit your application and wait to receive your renewed license in the mail.

How to Renew Your Driving License by Mail

Like when submitting a renewal application by other methods, mailed in requests can only be submitted started 180 days before the license’s date of expiration. What you need to renew your driver’s license by mail includes meeting the same basic renewal eligibility criteria discusses previously, in addition to:

• Completing an Application for Renewal by Mail form.
• Providing two original proofs of residency in South Dakota.
• Providing proof of military status, if applicable.
• Including a vision statement, if 65 years of age or older.
• Paying the application fee by check made payable to the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
• Including a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the issuance of the renewed license.

Drivers in South Dakota who would like to submit a driver’s license renewal application by mail can take the following steps:

1. Gather the necessary supporting material in acceptable formats.
2. Print or pick up the Application for Renewal by Mail form. Complete, sign and date it.
3. Make a check or money order out to the Department of Public Safety.
4. Prepare a stamped envelope to receive the renewed license.
5. Package the application, supporting material, application fee and envelope and mail it to:

SD Driver Licensing Program
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

How to Renew Your Drivers License in Person

Any applicants who do not meet driver’s license renewal requirements to apply online or by mail must apply in-person at a Driver Licensing location. There are several options for where to renew driver’s licenses in-person throughout South Dakota. Four locations allow drivers to schedule appointments for renewals, including Drivers Licensing offices in:

• Aberdeen
• Sioux Falls
• Rapid City
• Watertown

In other Driver Licensing office locations, drivers must visit during regular open office hours to submit their application. Once a driver has decided to renew an expiring driver’s license in-person, he or she can take the following steps:

1. Gather the necessary supporting material in acceptable formats.
2. Print or pick up the Application for Renewal by Mail form. Complete, sign and date it.
3. Check to see what payment methods are acceptable at your local Driver Licensing agency.
4. Head into your nearest Driver Licensing agency to submit your complete application packet.

Military & Out of State Renewal in South Dakota

South Dakota residents that are stationed outside of the state can submit a DMV license renewal form renew their driver’s license by submitting proof of their active military status and residency abroad. Military personnel can also often qualify to renew a driver’s license online if they meet the other necessary application requirements. In addition to the abovementioned documents, military and SD residents who temporarily are out of state must include a completed Residency Affidavit clarifying their situation. Drivers heading into an SD driver’s license office in-person should prepare the following additional application material:

• A completed Residency Affidavit
• A receipt from a South Dakota address proving at least one night of stay within the last year. The receipt must include your name and South Dakota address.
• One document, no more than one year old, proving your personal mailbox (PMB) service address.
• A Consent for Use of Address form, if using the address of friends or family.

South Dakota REAL ID Drivers License Renewal

South Dakota is compliant with the federal REAL ID Act, meaning that driver’s licenses and ID cards issued by the state of South Dakota can be accepted at federal locations as a valid form of ID.

South Dakota Drivers License Renewal Fees

The drivers license renewal fee for applications submitted to the South Dakota DPS are:

• License Renewal: $28
• Name or Address Change: $15
• Non-driver Identification Card: $28
• Commercial License Renewal: $33 ($48 with hazardous materials endorsement)
• Online processing fee: $2.00

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