How to Get a CDL in South Dakota (2026)
Complete sequence to get your South Dakota CDL — permit test, ELDT, BTW, skills test, endorsements. State-specific rules and SD DPS requirements.
South Dakota CDL Requirements — The Complete Picture
To get a Commercial Driver's License in South Dakota, you work through South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate (effective February 7, 2022) applies in every state including South Dakota — any new CDL applicant, class upgrade, or endorsement addition requires you to complete FMCSA-approved ELDT before sitting for the CDL skills test.
How to Get a CDL in South Dakota — Step by Step
Pass the DMV permit test at SD DPS
Study for and pass the knowledge test at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) to earn your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
Hold your CLP for at least 14 days
Federal minimum before you can take the CDL skills test — South Dakota follows the federal 14-day rule.
Complete FMCSA-approved ELDT theory training
This is what DLA Academy provides — $20 per course, 100% online, auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
Complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training
Done at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider for CDL-A and CDL-B — separate from DLA Academy. Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus are theory-only on the federal side.
Pass the CDL skills test at SD DPS
Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and the road test. SD DPS verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before you test.
Receive your South Dakota CDL
Once you pass, SD DPS issues your CDL — you're cleared to drive commercially.
Hazmat endorsement applicants additionally need TSA threat-assessment fingerprinting through IDEMIA Universal Enroll (standard process — typical wait time 30–45 days for clearance).
Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training — Required, But Not From Us
For CDL-A and CDL-B applicants, federal ELDT requirements have two parts: theory (what DLA Academy provides) and behind-the-wheel training (BTW). BTW must be completed at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider — typically a trucking school, a CDL training facility, or an employer-sponsored program. DLA Academy does not offer BTW.
BTW for CDL-A and CDL-B typically takes 40–160+ hours depending on the program, costs $3,000–$10,000+ depending on the provider, and must be done at an FMCSA-registered facility (the FMCSA TPR has a directory) — many are located in South Dakota metro areas.
For Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus endorsements: no BTW required. Those endorsements are theory-only on the federal side — though some states require additional in-vehicle testing for School Bus and Passenger at the state level.
TSA Hazmat Fingerprinting
For the Hazmat endorsement, South Dakota requires a TSA threat assessment. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IDEMIA (Universal Enroll). Results typically take 30–45 days. South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) cannot add the H endorsement to your CDL until TSA clears you.
South Dakota CDLs are issued by South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS).
Pre-February 2022 CDL Holders — Are You Grandfathered?
The FMCSA ELDT mandate took effect February 7, 2022. If your CDL was issued before that date, you are grandfathered for your current license class. You don't have to retroactively complete ELDT to keep driving.
BUT — grandfathering only covers your existing license class. If you're doing any of the following after February 7, 2022, ELDT is required regardless of when your CDL was issued:
- Upgrading from Class B to Class A → need CDL-A Theory ELDT
- Upgrading from Class C to Class B → need CDL-B Theory ELDT
- Adding the Hazmat (H) endorsement → need Hazmat ELDT
- Adding the Passenger (P) endorsement → need Passenger ELDT
- Adding the School Bus (S) endorsement → need School Bus ELDT
South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS) verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before issuing the new class or endorsement.
Apply for your CLP, schedule skills tests, and verify ELDT submission through your state agency's CDL portal.
https://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver-licensing/commercial-driver-licensing
Every course is FMCSA-approved and auto-submitted to the Training Provider Registry. Accepted at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing (SD DPS).
Add the H endorsement to your South Dakota CDL. Theory only — no BTW required.
South Dakota Class A CDL theory required before the skills test at SD DPS.
South Dakota Class B CDL theory for straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.
Add the S endorsement to your South Dakota CDL to drive a school bus.
Add the P endorsement to operate 16+ passenger vehicles in South Dakota.
Save $10 by bundling Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus for South Dakota.
More South Dakota CDL Resources
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"Took the 3-endorsement bundle (Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus). $50 total, completed on my phone, all three on the TPR within 24 hours. Done."
Verify DLA Academy by name at the FMCSA Training Provider Registry: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
South Dakota CDL Drivers — Start Your ELDT Today
FMCSA-approved ELDT courses starting at $20. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at South Dakota Department of Public Safety — Driver Licensing.