Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

Commercial Driver Licenses are issued by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. General information regarding CDLs can be obtained by contacting the Driver Licensing Program by calling 605.773.6883 or toll-free 1.800.952.3696.  You may click here to visit the CDL section of their website. 

SDDPS CDL Information

What’s changing on July 1, 2026, for Motor Carrier Regulations in South Dakota?

  • South Dakota will no longer exempt intrastate CDL holders from the requirements of 49 CFR 391.11(b)(4), Physical Qualifications, effective July 1, 2026.
  • If operating a commercial motor vehicle in intrastate commerce, Title 49 CFRs apply when operating a CMV with a GVWR, GVW or GCWR of 26,001lbs or over, transporting hazardous materials requiring placards under Part 177, or designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver.
    • Drivers operating such vehicles are now required to be medically qualified under CFR 391.11(b)(4), Physical Qualifications.
    • Medical Certificate or Card required to be in possession (paper or electronic) for non-CDL drivers operating CMVs over 26,001 pounds in combination, provided the towed vehicle is not over 10,000 pounds and the power unit is not over 26,001 pounds.
  • South Dakota will continue to exempt certain intrastate operations that are 26,000 pounds or less from Parts 390 to 397. The change now includes actual weight not just weight rating. The two-axle intrastate exemption is removed from SDCL 49-28a-3, effective July 1, 2026.

How to stay compliant if there is a “K” Restriction on a CDL?

Re-Certify as:

NI- Non-excepted Interstate – (You will qualify for this if you or your cargo cross state lines or you do not meet qualifications in other categories.)

  • Visit a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry. https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/home
  • They’ll submit your medical certificate electronically to Driver Licensing within 2 business days.
  • Then go to a driver exam station before July 1 to update your CDL and remove the “K” restriction — and receive a new license.

EI-Excepted Interstate – (You may qualify only if all your commercial driving is under federal exemptions 49 CFR 390.3(f), 391.2, 391.68, or 398.3).

  • You may still qualify for Excepted Interstate under the following conditions: Beekeepers, custom harvesters, government employees, and certain farm vehicle drivers and qualifying covered farm vehicles. (See the federal regulations for a full list of excepted categories.)
  • Go to the driver exam station before July 1 to update your CDL and remove the “K” restriction and receive a new license.

NA-Non-Excepted Intrastate – (You may qualify only if all our commercial driving is under 32-12A-24 (in-state school bus driving) or if you are under the age of 21.)

  • Visit a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA’s National Registry.
  • They’ll submit your medical certificate electronically to Driver Licensing within 2 business days.
  • You will need to submit a new self-certification form to Driver Licensing. The form can be found at: https://www.sd.gov/dps
  • Once Driver Licensing updates your self-certification form, your process is completed.

For additional information contact the SD Driver License Office at 605-773-6883, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time, M-F or you may contact SDHP Motor Carrier Services at 605-773-7364.