How to Replace a Lost Driver’s License in South Dakota

To replace a lost driver’s license in South Dakota, request a duplicate from the Department of Public Safety online, by mail, or at a driver exam station. The fee is $20 regardless of channel.1South Dakota Legislature. South Dakota Code 32-12-16 – Fee for Original, Renewal, Duplicate, or Changed License–Disposition Whether you can use the online or mail option depends mainly on whether your current license carries the REAL ID gold star in the upper right corner; without it, you’ll need to go in person.2South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Renew or Replace Online

What You’ll Need

For online or mail-in requests, have your driver’s license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You also need two documents proving your current residential address. Each must show your name, be less than one year old, and not be handwritten. Utility bills, bank statements, and insurance documents all qualify.3South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Required Documents

For in-person visits, bring primary identity proof such as a certified birth certificate or unexpired passport, Social Security verification such as your SSN card or a W-2, and the same two residency documents.3South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Required Documents

Replacing Online

The online route through SD.gov is the fastest, but you have to meet every one of the following to use it:2South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Renew or Replace Online

  • You’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  • Your current license has the REAL ID gold star.
  • You’ve applied in person within the last ten years.
  • Your legal name hasn’t changed since your last license was issued.
  • You don’t wear bioptic lenses.

If you qualify, log into or create an SD.gov account, enter your license number, date of birth, and partial Social Security number, and submit your two residency documents by upload, email, or fax to the Driver Licensing Program. Pay the $20 fee with Visa or MasterCard, and the replacement card is mailed to you.4South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Driver’s License and ID Card Renewal/Replacement

You can only request one duplicate online per renewal period. Lose the replacement and you’ll have to visit an exam station for the next one.

Replacing by Mail

The mail option uses the same eligibility rules as online. Send your completed application, clear copies of your two residency documents, and payment to:5South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Replacement or Duplicate and Change of Address

Driver Licensing Program
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501

Any mismatch between your submission and the state’s records will delay processing, so double-check the information you send.

Replacing In Person

Visit a driver exam station if you don’t qualify for the remote channels or just prefer handling it face-to-face. Most locations take walk-ins, though the DPS recommends an appointment. The Sioux Falls Express Station at 6010 S. Minnesota Avenue is appointment-only.6South Dakota Department of Public Safety. DPS Driver License/ID Card Appointment Information

In person is the only option if your current license lacks the gold star, your name has changed, you haven’t applied in person in more than ten years, or your immigration status has been updated with USCIS.2South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Renew or Replace Online A name change also requires proof of the change.3South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Required Documents

If the Driver Is Under 18

Any license application from a minor must be signed by a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult, with the signature verified before a DPS designee or someone authorized to administer oaths.7South Dakota Legislature. South Dakota Code 32-12-6 – Minors Under Age of Eighteen–Authorization by Parental Authority A minor applying in person must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.8South Dakota Department of Public Safety. South Dakota Driver Licensing Information

Minors who don’t have residency documents in their own name can use mail addressed to a parent or guardian, but the application has to include a Parental Consent Form from the DPS.3South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Required Documents

How Long It Takes and Driving While You Wait

Online applications produce a replacement card in roughly four to six weeks.4South Dakota Department of Public Safety. Driver’s License and ID Card Renewal/Replacement Mail-in requests take longer because the paperwork has to arrive and be processed first. In-person visits don’t produce a card on the spot either; South Dakota mails the finished card to your address.

During the wait, keep your application receipt or confirmation with you when you drive. State law requires you to have your license in your immediate possession and display it when a law enforcement officer asks, and failing to do so is a petty offense.9South Dakota Legislature. South Dakota Code 32-12 – Driver Licenses and Permits That’s a far lesser charge than driving without a valid license at all, which is a Class 2 misdemeanor.10South Dakota Legislature. South Dakota Code 32-12-22 – Driving Without a License

If You Think the License Was Stolen

A driver’s license carries your full name, date of birth, address, and photo, which is enough for someone to attempt identity fraud. If you’re unsure whether it was lost or taken, treat it as stolen.

Contact Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to place a fraud alert and credit freeze. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before extending credit; a freeze blocks new credit inquiries entirely.11USAGov. Identity Theft You can also report through IdentityTheft.gov, which provides step-by-step recovery guidance and sample dispute letters.12Federal Trade Commission. Report Identity Theft If you have reason to believe the card was stolen, file a police report in the jurisdiction where the theft happened and keep a copy. The report creates a paper trail if fraudulent charges or accounts show up later.