Utilizing the DMV appointment system in South Dakota is an important step that will help you conduct your business with the state Department of Public Safety (DPS) in a more straightforward and expedient manner. The department offers you the possibility of making a DMV online appointment at a large number of its offices. Additionally, even if you do not have internet access, you can also schedule your appointment by phone.

Once you make your SD drivers license appointment, you will be required to honor it and arrive at the office on the agreed-upon time and date. If your plans change, you will have to inform the department and reschedule or cancel your visit. The following sections provide information about the state appointment scheduling system and the types of services for which you can schedule your visit.

Driving Test Appointments in South Dakota

Scheduling a DMV driving test appointment in South Dakota is a mandatory step at a large number of the department’s licensing offices. You can schedule your DPS appointment either online or by phone. Note that you will be allowed to set a date for your road test only after passing the initial driver’s license exams, including the vision test and the knowledge exam. Once you make your driving skills test appointment, you will be required to arrive at the testing location with your own vehicle without any additional passengers.

During your SD DPS driving test appointment, the examiner will test your ability to safely operate your motor vehicle and perform certain driving maneuvers. If your score is less than 80 percent, you will fail the test and you will be required to reschedule it. Note that you will also be required to wait at least one day before you reschedule your driving license appointment. However, if you violate one of the following rules, you will be required to wait at least 30 days before taking another road test:

  • You were at fault in a car accident.
  • You show poor car control skills.
  • You fail to yield to another vehicle or pedestrian.
  • You drive on the wrong side of the road.
  • You run through a red light or a stop sign.
  • You put another individual’s life in danger.
  • You speed excessively.

Note: The DPS examiner may also cancel your driving test if he or she considers that the weather or the road conditions do not offer a safe driving environment.

Other Services Covered by the South Dakota DMV Appointment System

The South Dakota DPS appointment system also allows you to schedule an appointment for other services in addition to reserving a space for your road skills test. However, the option to schedule a DMV appointment for other types of services is only available through a limited number of DPS locations.

If your nearby driver licensing site offers you enhanced scheduling options, you will be able to reserve office time for a license renewal and a permit upgrade. Apart from these limited scheduling options, you may not be able to make an SD DPS appointment for other driving license services. However, you may still be able to save time by completing certain DPS procedures through the department’s online services section.

How to Schedule a DMV Appointment in South Dakota

The fastest way to schedule your DPS appointment in South Dakota is to utilize the department’s Online Driver Licensing Scheduler. You can use the DPS online appointment system to schedule the various road tests and the license renewal and permit upgrade procedures. To successfully reserve your office visit via the online scheduler, follow these steps:

  • Log into the system with your driving license number and date of birth.
  • Choose your preferred DPS location and the type of service.
  • Utilize the calendar tool to select the date and time for your appointment.
  • Confirm your appointment.

Note that you will be required to schedule your South Dakota DPS appointment at least two days in advance, and you will have to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. You will be asked to reschedule your DMV appointment if you arrive later than five minutes after the scheduled time.

Note: If you are unable to reserve your office visit online, you may call the DPS Customer Service Center and make an appointment by phone.

What to Bring to Your South Dakota DMV Appointment

The documents and fee payments necessary for your South Dakota drivers license appointment will vary depending on the reason for your visit. Once you make an appointment DMV officials will expect you to arrive at the office with all necessary items. The following list, for instance, outlines the paperwork requirements for a driver’s license renewal:

  • Your original driver’s license
  • Proof of your Social Security Number (SSN), if you have not upgraded to a REAL ID-compliant credential
  • Two proofs of state residency
  • Your medical certificate, if renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
  • Proof of legal U.S. presence, if applying as a non-U.S. citizen
  • Name change paperwork, if you have recently changed your name

Note: The state DPS requires you to submit original documents, as it does not accept photocopies.

How to Cancel or Reschedule a DMV Appointment in South Dakota

Once you use the South Dakota DMV appointment system, you will be required to honor your reservation and arrive at the office on time. If your plans change, however, you will have to cancel or reschedule your DMV appointment. You can easily edit your appointment by calling the department’s customer service center, filling out an online contact form or calling the office where you made your appointment. You can find the necessary contact information and the online query form via the department’s website.

Last updated on Thursday, October 4 2018.