CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, South Dakota.
Jobs (SD)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a cdl truck driver in South Dakota
To become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota, applicants must obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) and complete FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT). Following the ELDT, individuals must pass a general knowledge test and a skills test, which includes a pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and an on-road driving test. The minimum age for intrastate driving is 18, while interstate driving requires applicants to be 21 years old, and a valid DOT medical certificate is mandatory for all CDL holders.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist South Dakota requirements
| Licensing body | South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
| Exam | CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test ($90) |
| Application fee | $43 |
| Renewal | Every 5.0 years |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old for intrastate commerce and 21 years old for interstate commerce. A valid DOT medical certificate is required. The application fee for a CDL is $43, plus $20 for each endorsement knowledge test. Skills test fees are paid to third-party providers and can be up to $90 per attempt. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for new applicants for a Class A or B CDL, or for those upgrading a Class B to a Class A, or obtaining S, P, or H endorsements. There is a 14-day waiting period between the issuance of a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and taking the skills test. There is also a 2-day waiting period between scheduling and taking the skills test. Some sources indicate a $33 fee for the CDL itself, separate from the application fee, plus $15 per endorsement. Other sources indicate the $43 application fee includes the license. |
workspace_premium South Dakota license tiers
South Dakota offers multiple tiers of cdl truck driver licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Class A | N/A |
| Class B | N/A |
| Class C | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleSouth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk