Motorcycle License Requirements in South Dakota

South Dakota requires a motorcycle driver’s license for anyone that wants to ride on streets and highways. The Department of Public Safety in South Dakota offers a motorcycle permit and endorsement to riders 16 years of age or older. Obtaining a motorcycle driver’s license depends upon the applicant’s age and whether he/she is new to the state.

If you are an out-of-state licensed motorcyclist living in South Dakota for more than 90 days, you need to obtain your state license by heading to any exam station in South Dakota to present your old motorcycle driver’s license along with approved documents for your identification. If the examiner determines that your previous state’s licensing requirements meet South Dakota’s standards, you will only have to take and pass the vision test. After passing the vision test you will be granted a South Dakota motorcycle license which is valid for five years or when your visa ends.

Passing the Tests

Fresh applicants for a motorcycle driver’s license, who are over 18 years old, must bring their current driver’s license to the exam station or a certified copy of their birth certificate and other form of identification as well as their social security number. Then you must take these three tests:

Vision Test – You are allowed to use your glasses or contact lenses but if your fail the test, your eye doctor will need to complete a vision statement verifying that our can see well enough to drive.

Knowledge Test – This test is about driving rules, procedures and techniques. All information is available in the DMV office

When all the requirements are met, applicants will be issued an interim card to use until they receive the motorcycle instruction permit through mail. The permit will be valid for one year from the date it is issued.