CDL Requirements in South Dakota (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Source review dated October 12, 2026 against South Dakota Department of Public Safety (Driver Licensing Program)

South Dakota issues CDLs through the Department of Public Safety's Driver Licensing Program. You hold a regular license, pass the knowledge tests for a Commercial Learner Permit (about $43), hold it 14 days while completing required ELDT, then pass a three-part skills test — usually through a state-authorized third-party tester (capped at $90 per attempt) in a vehicle you supply. Both the CLP and CDL application fee are $43.

This guide combines federal rules with dated state research. Read the review notes before paying fees or booking a test.

State application fees are low and flat: $43 for the permit and $43 for the CDL (both raised from $33 on July 1, 2025), plus $20 per endorsement knowledge test. The larger costs are ELDT tuition (estimated at roughly $3,000–$7,000 for a Class A program) and, for hazmat, the TSA fingerprint fee.

Two medical changes matter here: since June 23, 2025 your examiner transmits results electronically, and effective July 1, 2026 South Dakota removes its prior medical-card exception so most CDL holders must keep a valid card. Veterans with recent qualifying experience can apply for a Military Skills Test Waiver.

Eligibility and documents in South Dakota

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• Proof of identity and date of birth
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence
• Proof of Social Security number
• Single-state-license self-certification (surrender any license from another state)
• A Medical Examiner's Certificate where your self-certification category requires one

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. 1

   Check eligibility, documents, and medical qualification

   Choose the CDL class and endorsements for your vehicle. Hold the required regular license and bring South Dakota identity, residency, and Social Security documents. Self-certify your operating category and complete a DOT physical before the permit if that category requires medical certification.

2. 2

   Pass the knowledge tests and obtain your CLP

   Take general knowledge and the vehicle/endorsement tests that apply. ELDT theory may be taken earlier, but federal rules do not require it before the CLP. A first-time hazmat applicant must complete hazmat theory before the hazmat knowledge test; hazmat is not issued on a CLP.

3. 3

   Complete required training and practice during the permit hold

   Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. Use a qualified supervising driver for public-road practice. First-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time P/S endorsements require applicable theory and behind-the-wheel ELDT from registered providers. The appropriate CLP is needed for public-road training. State training requirements may add to the federal baseline.

4. 4

   Pass the skills test in the right vehicle

   Confirm ELDT completion is recorded, arrange the test and a representative vehicle, then complete vehicle inspection, basic control, and road driving. The vehicle and transmission you test in can restrict your license.

5. 5

   Complete issuance and maintain your qualifications

   Pay the applicable South Dakota issuance fees and confirm the correct class, endorsements, restrictions, and expiration. Keep your medical status current when required and follow the agency’s renewal instructions.

Medical certification in South Dakota

Self-certify your operating category with the Driver Licensing Program and submit a Medical Examiner's Certificate where required. Under National Registry II, since June 23, 2025 your certified medical examiner transmits your exam results electronically to FMCSA, which passes the data to the state — you no longer upload the paper card yourself. South Dakota examiners submit certificates to Driver Licensing within 2 business days.

If your card lapses: A significant change is coming: effective July 1, 2026, South Dakota adopts 49 CFR 391.11 requiring most CDL holders to maintain a valid medical card, removing the state's prior exception. Drivers currently carrying a 'K' restriction have until August 29, 2026 to obtain a medical certificate.

Every CDL holder must self-certify one operating category. The categories offered here:

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• EI — Excepted Interstate
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate (medical card required)
• EA — Excepted Intrastate

New to the DOT physical? See our DOT physical guide and CDL medical card explainer.

What a CDL costs in South Dakota

These are separate transaction types, not charges that every applicant pays. Renewal, replacement, endorsement, and retest fees are alternatives or extras. Amounts are from the dated research; check current official fees before paying.

State application fees are $43 each for the CLP and CDL (raised from $33 on July 1, 2025), plus $20 per endorsement knowledge test. Third-party skills testing is capped at $90 per attempt by statute. For hazmat, the TSA Security Threat Assessment fee is set by TSA ($85.25 per tsa.gov, or $41.00 with a TWIC). ELDT tuition is the largest cost.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in South Dakota

Testing access: State / approved third parties. Official testing instructions.

South Dakota allows approved third-party testers to administer the CDL skills test, with availability and fees set by the provider. Besides the 14-day CLP hold, there is a 2-day waiting period between scheduling and taking the skills test. South Dakota does not publish official statewide wait times.

Your test vehicle: You must provide a vehicle representative of the class and type of CDL you are seeking; the tester does not supply one.

Endorsements available in South Dakota

South Dakota offers the standard federal endorsements. Adding one usually means an extra knowledge test (and a skills test for passenger and school bus). Tap an endorsement for the full federal process and cost:

• HHazmat — South Dakota is NOT a TSA self-managed state. The fingerprint-based TSA Security Threat Assessment is handled through TSA's enrollment contractor (TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA / IdentoGO), which operates locations in South Dakota. You pass the hazmat knowledge test and clear the TSA assessment before issuance; the HME is renewed every 5 years, and TSA recommends enrolling at least 60 days ahead.
• NTanker — Tank vehicle.
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined hazmat + tank; subject to the same TSA Security Threat Assessment as H.
• PPassenger — Requires ELDT for first-time applicants.
• SSchool Bus — Requires ELDT for first-time applicants; excluded from the military skills-test waiver.
• TDoubles/Triples — Doubles/triples. Air brakes are handled as a restriction removal (L) rather than an endorsement.

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state. Some also apply in a personal vehicle; vehicle-specific conditions matter. South Dakota adopts the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework through SDCL Chapter 32-12A. No documented South Dakota carve-out stricter than the federal baseline was confirmed on a rendered official page (the ServiceNow knowledge base and a statute mirror could not be read) — verify any state-specific provisions with SD DPS.

The offenses that trigger a disqualification, the length of each, and the federal exceptions are listed once in our CDL disqualifications guide instead of repeating the table here. Check the review notes for any South Dakota-specific additions we could not confirm.

Military skills-test waiver

Check the temporary July 30–October 29, 2026 federal eligibility extension and ask the state whether it participates.

South Dakota offers a Military Skills Test Waiver. A currently licensed service member who has operated a commercial-type vehicle for the prior 2 years and is (or within the past year was) employed in a qualifying military driving position may apply to waive the CDL skills test, and under the 'Even Exchange' provision may waive both knowledge and skills for qualifying roles. Hazmat and school bus endorsements are excluded from the waivers. Request the current application form from SD DPS.

South Dakota CDL FAQ