License Process

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Students need to obtain a Learners's permit.  Individuals are required to complete and pass a knowledge exam as well as a roadway exam.

Must be at least 14 years of age, pass knowledge exam and vision test, must be held for minimum of 180 days unless successful completion of a driver education program,  90 days are waived if an 80% has been achieved on both written/classroom section and driver training/driver exam

Must be at least 14 years of age as well as meet all conditions for instruction permit.

AS OF JULY 1, 2020, MINORS OPERATING A VEHICLE ON A  RESTRICTED PERMIT ARE RESTRICTED TO HAVING ONLY FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE DRIVER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD AS PASSENGERS FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS.   AFTER THAT TIME PERIOD, THE MINOR DRIVER CAN ONLY 1 PASSENGER UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE DRIVER'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD

Must be at least 16 years of age, also pass a vision test, knowledge exam, and driver exam

The first is an amendment to the existing statute regarding the use of electronic devices while driving, and the second is a new law making the use of social media while driving illegal.

Right now the current law that is in effect prohibits texting while driving, but it is a secondary offense, meaning the driver would need to be stopped for another violation in order to be ticketed for the texting offense.

AS OF JULY 1, 2020, under these new laws, violations will be a primary offense, meaning that a driver can be pulled over and ticketed for using their electronic device improperly and the penalty for doing so will be greater than it used to be.

The language of both statutes is as follows:

32-26-47.1. Use of mobile electronic device--Prohibitions--Violation as misdemeanor--Exceptions.

No person may operate a motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

This section does not apply to:

(1) A law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, paramedic, operator of an authorized emergency vehicle, or similarly engaged paid or volunteer public safety first responder during the performance of that person's official duties, and a public utility employee or contractor acting within the scope of that person's employment;

(2) The use of a mobile electronic device for emergency purposes, including a text messaging device to contact a 911 system, an emergency call to a law enforcement agency, health care provider, fire department, or other emergency services agency or entity, or to report to appropriate authorities a fire, traffic accident, serious road hazard, or medical or hazardous materials emergency, or to report the operator of another motor vehicle who is driving in a reckless or otherwise unsafe manner or who appears to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or to report a crime;

(3) The use of a global positioning or navigation system feature of a mobile electronic device, but does apply to manually entering information into the global positioning or navigation system feature of the device;

(4) Reading, selecting, or entering a telephone number or name in a mobile electronic device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call and using the device for the call, or if a person otherwise activates or deactivates a feature or function of a mobile electronic device; or

(5) The use of a mobile electronic device in a voice-operated or hands-free mode if the operator of the motor vehicle does not use the operator's hands to operate the device, except to activate or deactivate a feature or function of the device.

32-26-47.2. Social networking sites--Prohibition--Violation as misdemeanor.

No person may access, read, or post to a social networking site while operating a motor vehicle. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

This bill changes certain provisions of the INSTRUCTION/LEARNERS PERMIT PROCESS.  Effective July 1, 2020, a minor driver who has not completed a Driver Education Program must hold the Instruction/Learners permit for 275 days, a minor driver who has successfully completed a Driver Education Program may reduce the holding period of a Instruction/Learners Permit  to 180 days.  

IN ADDITION - minors who obtain their INSTRUCTION/LEARNERS PERMIT must drive a minimum of 50 hours under the supervision of a parent, legal guardian or licensed driver over the age of 18 with at least ONE YEAR of driving experience.  Furthermore, 10 hours of the 50 hour minimum must be in inclement weather, and no less than 10 hours must be nighttime driving.  

Lastly, if a minor driver is under the age of 18, it is mandatory that he or she must have held a RESTRICTED PERMIT for at least 6 months before being eligible for an OPERATOR'S LICENSE.

2501 RUSSELL STREET

SIOUX FALLS, SD . 57108

MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8AM TO 5:30PM

dps.sd.gov

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