It is important to complete the South Dakota motorcycle license renewal process before your current license expires. Every motorcycle operator must have a current and valid license to legally operate a motorbike in the state. If you are found operating your motorcycle with an expired license, you may receive a violation. Your license or registration can be suspended if you are charged with this offense. You may also be subject to paying fines if you do not have a current motorcycle license and attempt to ride your motorbike on public roads.

You should consider learning about the ways you can renew motorcycle license credentials in the state as soon as you obtain your license or permit. This will ensure you understand the steps in the process and can efficiently renew your motorcycle license when it nears the expiration date. If you currently hold a motorcycle permit, you should also know the expiration date of your permit and renewal guidelines. To find if you can renew a motorcycle permit in SD and the available methods you can follow to renew your motorcycle license, review the following information.

When to Renew a Motorcycle License in South Dakota

In South Dakota renewing motorcycle license credentials should be a task you complete when the expiration date of your license is nearing. Your motorcycle license is valid for five years from its issue date and it expires on your birthday. You can find your license’s expiration date on the license itself and you can also check on your expiration date with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), if needed.

You can begin the motorbike license renewal process up to 180 days before the expiration date that appears on your motorcycle license. However, if you are turning 21 years of age, you will not be permitted to renew the license before your birthday. A license that indicates you are 21 years of age or older must be issued to you, so you must wait until your birthday to renew. However, you are permitted to renew your motorcycle license 30 days after your 21^st birthday.

Eligibility for Motorcycle License Renewal in South Dakota

When you attempt to renew your license, you must meet the SD motorcycle renewal requirements set by the DPS to successfully complete the process. Your current license cannot be revoked, suspended or expired and must be valid. The motorcycle license you present for renewal should be federally compliant and include a gold star in the top right corner.

You must also ensure that you are within the 180-day timeframe available to renew your license. You can check if you are eligible to renew your license by using the DPS online system and inputting your driver’s license number. The system can inform you if your license status and expiration date coincide with the renewal requirements.

Keep the DPS bike license renewal citizenship and age requirements in mind before you attempt to renew your license. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and you must be at least 16 years of age.

Required Documents

There are specific documents required to renew a motorcycle license, no matter which renewal method you choose to use. The documents you may be responsible for providing to the DPS include:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence, such as a birth certificate.
• Your unexpired and federally compliant drivers license.
• Two documents less than one year old that prove your South Dakota residency, such as paycheck stubs, rent receipts or utility bills.
• A vision statement less than six months old (if you are older than 65 years of age).

If your current license does not have a gold star in the upper right corner, you must also bring one of the following:

• Your Social Security card
• A W-2 or 10-99
• A paycheck stub with your full Social Security Number

All documents provided must be originals, except for proof of residency documents.

Instances When You Cannot Renew Your Motorcycle License in South Dakota

You cannot renew a motorbike license in South Dakota if your current license is suspended or revoked. If your driving privileges have been revoked in SD or in any other state, your renewal will also be denied. Additionally, you cannot renew your license if:

• You are younger than 16 years of age.
• Your expiration date does not fall within the 180-day timeframe.
• You currently have child support arrearages of $1,000 or more (You may qualify for a six-month temporary license).
• You cannot prove you legally live in the United States.
• You are classified as medically or physiologically unfit to drive.

If you attempt to renew your motorcycle license 30 days after its expiration date, you are required to re-apply for the license. You may need to visit a local DPS office in person to present the required documentation and complete the vision test and knowledge exam.

You cannot renew a motorcycle permit after it has expired. Upon issuance, your motorcycle permit is valid for one year and you are responsible for completing the mandatory tasks to successfully convert it into a motorcycle license. If you do not complete the required steps to obtain your license within this timeframe, you must re-apply for a new motorcycle permit.

How to Renew a South Dakota Motorcycle License Online

If you want to avoid a visit to your local DPS office, you may wonder “Can I renew my motorcycle license online in SD?” You may be eligible to renew your license online if you meet the state’s requirements and have access to the internet. You can renew online if your license is ready for renewal and:

• It has been less than 10 years since you last renewed your license.
• You did not use the online renewal system for your last renewal.
• You do not need to make changes to your license, such as a class, endorsement or name change.
• You do not wear bioptic lenses.
• You have not recently updated your status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• You are not required to take a driving exam or other exams.
• Your license has not been expired for more than 30 days.

The process for renewing motorcycle license credentials online is as follows:

1. Visit the DPS online license renewal site.
2. Input your driver’s license number.
3. Confirm your identity and contact information.
4. Provide scanned documents that confirm your residency and other information, as requested.
5. Provide acceptable online payment (an additional $2 or 2.95 percent online processing fee is added to the renewal charge).
6. Submit renewal and receive email confirmation.

Upon completion, you should receive your renewal license in the mail within two to three weeks. If you opt to mail in your residency documentation or other mandatory documents, processing and mailing times may be longer.

How to Renew a South Dakota Motorcycle License by Mail

If you prefer to complete an SD bike license renewal by mail, you must submit all necessary documents and fees to the DPS office in Pierre. You are only eligible for this renewal method if:

• It has been less than 10 years since you last renewed your license.
• You do not need to make any name, endorsement or class changes to your license.
• You do not wear bioptic lenses.
• You are not required to take any driving or knowledge exams.

You must complete a paper renewal application and sign and date the document. Additionally, you must gather:

• Your residency documentation.
• Any other mandatory documentation you need to provide.
• A check for renewal fees made payable to the “Department of Public Safety.”
• A self-addressed-stamped envelope.

Mail the completed application and these additional items to:

Driver Licensing Program
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

How to Renew a South Dakota Motorcycle License in Person

You may be looking into where to renew a motorcycle license in South Dakota if you are required to visit an office in person. You may be required to come to a DPS office to renew your license if you:

• Have not renewed your license in person for the last 10 years.
• Need to change your name, license class or endorsements.
• Need to take a driving test or knowledge exam.
• Wear bioptic lenses.
• Recently updated your status with USCIS.

You need to visit a DPS office to renew your license if it has been expired for 30 days or longer. You will be required to complete a vision and knowledge exam before your license can be renewed.

To renew your motorbike license in person, you should first attempt to make an appointment with a local DPS office. You can schedule your appointment online or by phone for the Aberdeen, Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Watertown offices. If you need to take a test for your license renewal, notify the DPS worker when you make the appointment.

You must bring your current license, proof of residency and other documents. You may be required to complete a renewal application at your appointment. You must also bring acceptable payment for your renewal fees.

South Dakota Motorcycle License Renewal Costs

The motorcycle license renewal fee in SD is $28 and payment must be provided when applying for your renewal. If you request your renewal online, you can pay using Visa or Mastercard. Keep in mind, you will be charged an additional $2 or 2.95 percent processing fee, whichever is greater.

You must pay by check if you attempt to renew your license by mail. When completing a renewal in person, you can pay by:

• Cash.
• Check.
• Money order.
• Credit card.
• Debit card.

If you pay with a debit or credit card, you are also responsible for an additional $2 or 2.95 percent administrative fee, whichever is greater.

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