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South Dakota permit test day: what to bring and where to go

Tick off each document as you pack it for the South Dakota knowledge test, then find your office and book a time. Every item links to the official South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver Licensing Program page it comes from.

Checklist items: 8
Official sources: 4
Cost: Free

QualitySpace Insurance Agency · South Dakota permit test checklist

South Dakota permit test: what to bring

What to bring to the South Dakota permit test

Who this checklist covers: First South Dakota instruction permit for residents ages 14-17 with an assigned SSN and a physical South Dakota home address, including U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. Adult applications, full-time travelers/PMB addresses and later restricted-permit upgrades are excluded.

Bring originals unless the official list says copies are accepted.

Application

Complete the instruction-permit applicationComplete the application available online or at the driver exam station.Source: official South Dakota page for Complete the instruction-permit application

Identity

Bring one original identity and lawful-presence documentCitizens may use a certified U.S. birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, CRBA or citizenship/naturalization certificate. Noncitizens may use a valid I-551 or I-766, or I-94 together with a valid foreign passport. No photocopies.Source: official South Dakota page for Bring one original identity and lawful-presence document
Bring certified evidence for every name changeUse court orders or certified marriage certificates connecting birth name through every change to your current name.Source: official South Dakota page for Bring certified evidence for every name change

Social Security number

Bring one original proof of your full Social Security numberUse your SSN card, W-2, 1099 or paycheck stub showing name and full number. Photocopies are not accepted.Source: official South Dakota page for Bring one original proof of your full Social Security number

Residency

Bring two proofs of your physical South Dakota addressTwo pieces of mail may be in your name or a parent’s name; use the accepted-document list. This scope excludes the separate full-time-traveler/PMB affidavit route.Source: official South Dakota page for Bring two proofs of your physical South Dakota address

Parent or guardian

Arrange parent or guardian consentThe signer may sign before the examiner, or provide the notarized Parental Consent Form. The form is valid for six months.Source: official South Dakota page for Arrange parent or guardian consent

Fees

Bring the $28 instruction-permit feePay at your initial permit application.Source: official South Dakota page for Bring the $28 instruction-permit fee

Vision test

Pass the vision and knowledge testsBring corrective lenses if needed. An approved driver-education completion certificate from within the last year can waive the knowledge test; driver education is optional for initial issuance.Source: official South Dakota page for Pass the vision and knowledge tests

Your ticks are saved on this device only. No account.

Official list: https://www.sd.gov/dps?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0044395

Where to go and how to book

Book an in-person knowledge-test appointment using the official linked scheduler and exam-station map.

Find an officehttps://experience.arcgis.com/experience/f8c4832760c74cc1a91f193c107c2f4b Book an appointmenthttps://432201.waitwell.us/locations

Source: sd.gov

Test languages and ID

Test languages

Confirm available test languages with your office or the official South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Driver Licensing Program site before you book.

Ready for the test itself?

The documents get you in the door; the questions are what you pass. Take the free South Dakota practice test, or see the South Dakota DMV facts page for fees, age rules, and the question count.

Sources

Each checklist item quotes its official page. We fetched and checked these pages on 2026-10-05:

Rules change. If your office asks for something not listed here, the office is right. Spot a mistake? Tell us through the contact page.

Reviewed by Kevin Vu, CA DOI #4037122 · Last updated 2026-10-05