Driver training rules in South Dakota

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in South Dakota for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Optional: a Dept. of Education-approved driver ed course shortens the permit hold to 180 days (permits issued on or after July 1, 2020). Course hours not verified.source 1
Supervised practice (teens)	50 supervised hours (10 night, 10 inclement weather) with a parent, guardian or licensed driver over 18 with 1+ year experience; hold permit 275 days.source 2 · source 1
New adult drivers	None stated for 18+. Adults pass vision, sign, traffic-law and driving tests; permit-holding and 50-hour practice rules apply only to ages 14-17.source 3 · source 2
Who licenses driving schools	Dept of Education approves teen driver education courses. Licensing of private driving schools/instructors not verified.source 1
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Federal ELDT only: SD law requires entry-level training from a provider meeting federal standards (49 CFR 380.700-380.725); no state hour minimum in the law (SDCL 32-12A-11.1, 2026).source 4
CDL schools: state license	Not settled. SD's postsecondary authorization law bars schools from running certificate programs at SD locations without a Secretary of State certificate (SDCL 13-48-35). The certificate requires accreditation or an accredited partner, a $500 fee and yearly renewal (SDCL 13-48-37). No private truck-driving school is on the state's authorized list, so whether this law covers CDL schools is not settled. No CDL-specific school license.source 5 · source 6 · source 7 · source 8 · source 9
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	Federal ELDT only. State law requires training from a provider meeting 49 CFR 380.700-380.725; no state hour minimum (SDCL 32-12A-11.1).source 4
CDL schools: instructor rules	No state instructor license. The authorization law lists only entity, accreditation and application requirements; federal 380.605 qualifications apply.source 6
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Unclear. The authorization law has no employer exemption (only federal, tribal, religious and cosmetology schools are exempt); it covers programs leading to a vocational certificate.source 10 · source 7
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only (SDCL 32-12A-11.1).source 4
Carriers: instructor rules	No state instructor license for anyone; federal 380.605 qualifications apply to carrier trainers.source 6
New school bus drivers	Training must include classroom (first aid, bus safety, passenger management) and behind-the-wheel; statute sets no hours.source 11 · source 12
School bus refresher	Training at least once every five years; no hours stated.source 11

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from South Dakota, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in South Dakota

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/32-12-12.html
2. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/32-12-11.html
3. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/32-12-4.html
4. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/32-12A-11.1.html
5. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-48-35.html
6. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-48-37.html
7. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-48-34.html
8. https://sdsos.gov/general-information/postsecondary-education/
9. https://sdsos.gov/general-information/postsecondary-education/authorizations.aspx
10. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-48-41.html
11. https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Statutes/13-29-21.html
12. https://doe.sd.gov/oatq/transportation.aspx

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