south dakota driver information

With its highways running through vast expanses of natural beauty, South Dakota is the ideal place to drive. Get the lowdown on driving through the Mount Rushmore State, from the penalty point system to the state's graduated licensing program.

South Dakota driving information

Number of licensed drivers: 602,000

Registered vehicles: 926,000

Licensing and registration authority: South Dakota Motor Vehicles Division

Number of work commuters: 412,997

Average commuting time: 16.7 minutes (second shortest commuting time in the nation)

Accidents and driving record points in South Dakota

Convictions for moving violations can add 2–10 points to your South Dakota driving record.

Racking up 15 points in a 12-month span or 22 points in 24 months will lead to a suspended drivers license.

DWIs and your driving record

In addition to an automatically suspended drivers license, a DWI conviction adds 10 penalty points to a driver's record.

Driving with a BAC of 0.08 constitutes a DWI. First-time convictions can also be penalized by a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail.

Reporting car accidents in South Dakota

South Dakota drivers are required to call the police to the scene of any accident that causes injuries or property damage of at least $1,000.

License and registration in South Dakota

If you plan to live in South Dakota for more than 90 days, you're required to get a South Dakota drivers license. You also have 90 days to register your vehicle with the County Treasurer.

Drivers in the military

Active members of the U.S. armed forces are granted license renewal extensions if serving out-of-state. After being discharged, you have 30 days to renew your drivers license.

Stolen cars in South Dakota

According to a recent report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 242 cars were stolen in Sioux Falls in 2011. That was more than any other city in the state.

Comprehensive coverage, which is optional unless a loan or finance company requires it, offers financial protection in the event your car is stolen.

Most stolen vehicles in South Dakota in 2011

2000 Chevrolet Pickup (full size)
1999 Ford Pickup (full size)
1994 Chevrolet Pickup (small size)
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier
1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
2005 Chevrolet Impala
2002 Dodge Pickup (full size)
2002 Pontiac Grand Am
1996 Ford Taurus
1998 Chrysler Sebring

Young drivers in South Dakota

First-time drivers need to follow the state's graduated licensing program, which consists of 3 steps before a full license is granted.

Minimum instruction permit age: 14 years old

Minimum holding period: 90 days if an approved driver education course is completed, 180 days if not taking drivers ed
Teen drivers with an instruction permit may only drive with a licensed driver over the age of 18 (who has at least one year's driving experience) — between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. the accompanying adult must be a parent or guardian

Minimum restricted minor's permit age: 14 years old

To obtain a restricted minor's permit, you'll need to complete your instruction permit holding period without incident and pass a driving test
Drivers with a restricted minor's permit may drive by themselves with permission from the vehicle's owner, except between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., when they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian

Minimum operator's license age: 16 years old

Drivers with a restricted minor's permit can obtain an operator's license at 16 if they have passed the vision, knowledge, and driving tests
At age 18, a restricted minor's permit automatically converts to an operator's license
To apply for an operator's license, drivers must have had a clean driving record for the previous 6 months

See the South Dakota Driver License Manual (PDF) for more info.

Esurance Car Insurance