A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in South Dakota to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. South Dakota CDL fees start at $30 for a 5-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the South Dakota CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Required for hauling propane, anhydrous ammonia, and other placarded agricultural chemicals common in South Dakota farming operations.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Common for anhydrous ammonia and liquid fertilizer haulers serving the agricultural sector.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver. Tourism operators serving Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills area.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required. South Dakota's rural school districts cover large geographic areas.
Class A CDL required. Double and triple trailers common on I-90 and I-29 through South Dakota for long-haul interstate operations.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies. Common for agricultural chemical tanker operations.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in South Dakota →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, valid up to 24 months. Self-certify your operating category and submit the MEC copy to the South Dakota DPS. Intrastate CDL holders may use South Dakota state physical standards.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a South Dakota DPS driver licensing location with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and South Dakota residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL fee is $30. Visit dps.sd.gov for current requirements and office locations.
South Dakota CDLs are valid for 5 years. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for most interstate drivers, or more frequently based on your medical examiner's determination.
Most grain hauling in South Dakota requires a Class A CDL for tractor-trailer grain combinations. No special endorsements are required for dry grain. However, if hauling propane, anhydrous ammonia, or other HazMat, you'll need the H endorsement and TSA background check. Anhydrous ammonia tankers require both N (Tank) and H (HazMat) endorsements — the X combination.
South Dakota allows gross vehicle weights up to 105,500 lbs on designated state routes with an overweight permit — your CDL class still governs the vehicle combination. A standard Class A CDL authorizes operation of the vehicle type. The higher weight allowance is an infrastructure permission, not a CDL classification. Verify route designations with SDDOT before operating above 80,000 lbs.
There are no CDL-specific winter driving certifications required in South Dakota. However, CDL holders must comply with all road closure orders and chain requirements that may be issued during winter storms. I-90 and I-29 close periodically during blizzards — CDL drivers are subject to the same closures and are responsible for monitoring SDDOT road conditions at 511sd.com.
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South Dakota CDL fee is $30 for original and renewal — one of the most affordable in the nation. Knowledge tests are administered by the SD DPS at no additional charge. Skills test fees vary by provider, typically $75–$150. Verify current fee amounts at dps.sd.gov before scheduling.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: South Dakota SD Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026