South Dakota CDL Requirements Guide

This page summarizes what South Dakota requires of Class A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) applicants, with links to the official government sources. Requirements come from South Dakota's licensing agencies and federal regulations; FLO LLC's own training standards appear separately below. Sources were checked on 2026-10-13. Where anything here differs from the agency, the agency controls.

• South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program

Official South Dakota CDL Manual

South Dakota Commercial Driver License Manual (2025; AAMVA Modernized Testing System, Version: March 2025) — published by the state. FLO LLC links to the state's own document; it does not copy or host it.

READ SOUTH DAKOTA CDL MANUAL

Opens the official PDF in a new tab. If it does not open, use the state's manual page: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — manual page.

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) requirements

• To obtain a CLP you must be at least 18 and hold a valid South Dakota Class 1 or Class 2 operator's license, pass the knowledge tests for the type of vehicle you will drive, and have a valid medical certificate; persons without a valid medical certificate are restricted to intrastate driving.
• The CLP is valid for 1 year and lists the vehicle types and endorsements you qualified for. You have up to 180 days after the CLP expires to convert it to a CDL; otherwise you must reapply and pass both the knowledge and skills tests.
• A CLP holder may drive a CMV only when accompanied by a CDL holder who is 21, licensed for the vehicle type, and seated beside the permit holder (or directly behind in a passenger vehicle).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner's permit

CDL eligibility and age requirements

• At least 18 with a valid South Dakota Class 1 or Class 2 operator's license; you may not operate in interstate commerce with a CLP unless you are at least 21 and have a valid medical certificate.
• Federal rule: a driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers

Interstate versus intrastate driving

• Self-certify to a single type of commercial operation on every CDL application, renewal, class change, new endorsement, transfer, or change of medical status; intrastate-only drivers receive the K restriction.
• Federal rule: a driver must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce (49 CFR 391.11(b)(1)).
• Every CLP and CDL applicant must self-certify one of four types of commercial driving — non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate — and non-excepted drivers must provide a current medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 391.11 — General qualifications of drivers · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Identity and residency documentation

• Prove identity (for example a certified birth certificate issued by a state or county, or a valid U.S. passport), your Social Security number (card, W-2, 1099 or pay stub showing the full number), and South Dakota residency with two address documents (name, physical address, dated within the last year).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page

Legal-presence requirements

• Prove U.S. citizenship or lawful status (for example a Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, or an unexpired Permanent Resident Card). The hazardous materials endorsement additionally requires a TSA background check and proof of citizenship or permanent residency.
• Federal rule: CLP and CDL applicants must prove U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency, or qualify under the federal non-domiciled rules (49 CFR 383.71).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Medical certification and self-certification

• Your medical examiner must submit your medical certificate to the National Registry electronically; South Dakota driver license offices do not accept paper medical certificates. Keep a current certificate on file to avoid a medical downgrade. Questions: South Dakota Driver Licensing Program, 605-773-6883.
• Every CLP and CDL applicant must self-certify one of four types of commercial driving — non-excepted interstate, excepted interstate, non-excepted intrastate, or excepted intrastate — and non-excepted drivers must provide a current medical examiner's certificate (49 CFR 383.71(b)(1)).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 383.71 — Driver application and certification procedures

Knowledge examinations required

• Every CDL applicant must pass the general knowledge test; without a passing score you cannot be issued a CLP or take the skills test. Interpreters are prohibited for CDL knowledge tests.
• Class A applicants take the General Knowledge and Combination Vehicles knowledge tests, plus Air Brakes for an air-brake vehicle (South Dakota manual, Section 1.1). Endorsements require their own tests.
• Federal standard: at least 80% correct is required to pass each knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 383.135 — Passing knowledge and skills tests

Steps to obtain the CLP

• 1. Pass the knowledge test at a Driver License Office. 2. Driver Licensing issues the CLP. 3. Complete ELDT. 4. Pass the skills and road tests (South Dakota manual, entry-level driver steps).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page

CLP holding period

• You must hold a CLP for 14 days before you can take a skills test, and all three skills segments must be passed on the same CLP.
• Federal rule: a CLP holder may not take the CDL skills test during the first 14 days after the CLP is first issued (49 CFR 383.25(e)).

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR 383.25 — Commercial learner's permit

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements

• Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) applies to anyone obtaining a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrading to Class A or B, or obtaining a first school bus, passenger or hazardous materials endorsement (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F).
• ELDT has two parts — theory (classroom/online) and behind-the-wheel (range and public road) — and both must be completed with providers listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, which reports your completion electronically before you may take the skills test.
• Confirm South Dakota's current procedure on the official South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program page linked below.

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Behind-the-wheel training requirements

• ELDT behind-the-wheel training must be taken from a behind-the-wheel provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, on a range and on public roads, in a vehicle of the class you are training for. The instructor decides when you are proficient; federal rules set no minimum number of hours (49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F, Appendix A).
• FLO LLC's online course is ELDT THEORY only. It does not provide behind-the-wheel training.

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · 49 CFR Part 380, Subpart F — Entry-Level Driver Training · FMCSA Training Provider Registry

Skills examination procedures

• The skills test has three parts — vehicle inspection, basic control skills and road test — conducted in English only; interpreters are prohibited.
• South Dakota authorizes third-party examiners (persons, employers, training facilities and agencies) to give the same skills tests; schedule well in advance — there is a minimum two-day waiting period to schedule a test. The list of authorized examiners is on dps.sd.gov.
• The skills test has three parts taken in order — vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving. The South Dakota manual's basic control section describes the Modernized exercises: Forward Stop, Straight-Line Backing, Forward Offset Tracking and Reverse Offset Backing.

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page

Licensing office and scheduling resources

• Use the official South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program pages linked below to find offices, schedule tests and confirm current procedures.

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page · South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — KB page

Steps to receive your Class A CDL

• 1. Hold your CLP for at least the required holding period (federal minimum 14 days).
• 2. Complete ELDT theory (for example, FLO LLC's online course) and ELDT behind-the-wheel training with providers on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.
• 3. Pass the three-part skills test with the South Dakota Driver Licensing Program or an authorized tester.
• 4. Obtain your Class A CDL from the South Dakota Driver Licensing Program.

Sources: South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing Program — Manual page