South Dakota drivers license extension now in effect until March, 2021

The extension for South Dakota drivers licenses is now good until March of next year.

Governor Kristi Noem this week signed an executive order that extends the state’s emergency declaration through Dec. 30, 2020. That means the expiration date for driver licenses is extended through the duration of the emergency declaration plus an additional 90 days or March 30, 2021.

The extension covers those whose licenses expired on or after March 13, 2020 when the Governor first issued the emergency declaration.

It includes driver licenses, motorcycle operator licenses, restricted minor’s permits, motorcycle restricted minor’s permits, non-driver identification cards, commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits.

Driver licenses can be renewed online. State Driver Licensing Director Jane Schrank asks those license holders not to schedule renewal appointments at exam stations at this time.
She asks them o wait until late summer or early fall to make those appointments. Schrank says they need time to process the backlog of tests that accumulated from the last couple of months.

Currently, 10 driver exam stations are open by appointment only for those applying for new driver or commercial driver licenses and ID cards. The exam stations are located in Aberdeen, Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, Mobridge, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Watertown and Yankton.