South Dakota Driving Law



Information on South Dakota driving law and South Dakota traffic laws...

Revocation of License

Revocation results in the loss of a drivers license and/or privilege to drive or apply for a license. Under the provisions of South Dakota laws, the license must be surrendered to the department or the courts before an eligibility date can be determined.

In addition to the application fee and the $50.00 reinstatement fee, all applicable tests will be required following revocation for violations of South Dakota traffic laws.

Suspension of License

Suspension also results in the loss of a driver license and/or privilege to drive or apply for a license. The license must be surrendered to the department or the courts before an eligibility date can be determined.

No testing will be required following a suspension for violations of South Dakota traffic laws unless the license has expired. The application fees and the $50.00 reinstatement fee will be required.



Point System For South Dakota

Conviction - Points

  • Driving While Intoxicated - 10*
  • Reckless Driving - 8
  • Eluding/Attempting to Elude - 6
  • Drag Racing - 6
  • Failure to Yield Right of Way - 4
  • Improper Passing - 4
  • Driving Wrong Side of Roadway - 4
  • Stop Sign/Light Violation - 3
  • Other Moving Offenses - 2

*A revocation of the driver license is required for a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) conviction.

The driver license of any operator who accumulates 15 points in any 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in any 24 consecutive months, is subject to suspension.

Points will be assessed on the offense carrying the highest point value where multiple offenses arise out of a single incident.

Points are assessed on out-of-state convictions just as if they were committed in South Dakota.

Periods of Suspension

  • First Suspension - 60 Days Maximum
  • Second Suspension - 6 Months Maximum
  • Subsequent Suspension - 1 Year Maximum

For more information on South Dakota driving law, please visit the South Dakota Driver Licensing Program website.

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