The South Dakota DMV can initially seem like an intimidating place. The constantly busy offices and bustling crowds can make everybody feel frazzled when they need to visit a branch office for everyday driving-related services. Whether you’re renewing your driver’s license or applying for a disabled persons placard, getting accustomed to the many services the DMV offers is ideal to making your trip go off without a hitch.
Find Your Closest South Dakota DMV Office
With the power of the Internet, it’s easier than ever to locate your nearest South Dakota DMV branch. You can find a list of all DMV offices in the state of South Dakota on the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) website. This comprehensive list of locations will give you valuable information such as the office’s phone number, address, and hours of operation. Additionally, this website will give you the most up-to-date information you need about last-minute closures and other developments that may hamper the operations of a DMV office.
Making an Appointment at the South Dakota DMV
The South Dakota DMV only offers appointments for drivers license-related matters – and even then, in only select cities. You can schedule a driver license renewal appointment at only the Aberdeen, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Watertown exam stations; likewise, you can only schedule a drive test appointment at a select few DMV exam stations. You may be able to save yourself a trip to the DMV, however; check the SDDMV homepage’s E-Services section for available online services.
Forms Necessary for the South Dakota DMV
Paperwork is an inevitable necessity at any DMV location. Filling out forms and stacks of paperwork is often necessary in order to get all of your driving-related services accomplished. If you’re none the wiser, you can potentially walk into a South Dakota DMV location and end up spending a good chunk of time just filling out paperwork. Fortunately, the DMV has an extensive list of all the forms it uses on its website – that way, the next time you make a trip to the DMV, you can print all the required forms and fill them out ahead of time for a hassle-free experience. For a detailed look at some of the most important forms the South Dakota DMV uses, visit Forms for more info.
The South Dakota Point System
Like other states in this country, South Dakota uses a point system to ensure that drivers are safe, responsible, and accountable for their actions on the road. Point values are assigned to various traffic violations according to severity. For example, a moving violation would be 2 points, while reckless driving would be a whopping 8 points. When a driver accumulates 15 points in 12 consecutive months, or 22 points in 24 consecutive months, their license can be suspended for a set amount of time. Multiple suspensions can lead to longer suspension periods, and may even result in license revocation.
Obtaining a South Dakota Driving Record
A driving record can be invaluable to your driving safety, especially if you’re nearing suspension. Having an extensive list of all your offenses and points on your record can give you the motivation necessary to improve your driving skills for the long run. You can request your 3-year driving record by filling out a form and sending it to the proper address, or you can receive your driving record at select exam stations throughout the state. More information can be found on the South Dakota DPS website.
