Where to renew your license in Sioux Falls

In Sioux Falls, you renew your driver's license at the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver Licensing office. The main location is at 118 West Capitol Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. This is the only place in Sioux Falls where you can complete a renewal in person.

You can also renew by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the South Dakota DPS website if your license qualifies. Not all renewals can be done online — the state restricts online renewal to people whose licenses are not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than one year.

Before you go to the office or submit anything by mail, check the current wait times and office hours on the South Dakota DPS website. Hours change seasonally, and the Sioux Falls office can have a wait during lunch hours and late afternoon.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew in person at 118 West Capitol Avenue in Sioux Falls, by mail if your license is not expired more than one year, or online if your license is valid and not suspended.
  • Bring your current driver's license, proof of South Dakota residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or REAL ID documents if you want a REAL ID-compliant license.
  • A standard renewal costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license in South Dakota.
  • Processing times vary: in-person renewals are usually done the same day, mail renewals take two to three weeks, and online renewals process within a few business days.
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test or written exam depending on your age.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your current driver's license to the renewal appointment. If you cannot find it, bring a government-issued photo ID instead — a passport, military ID, or tribal ID all work.

You also need proof of South Dakota residency. The DPS accepts a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail addressed to you at your current address. The document must show your name and address and be dated within the last 60 days.

Have your Social Security number ready. If you want a REAL ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and domestic flights after May 7, 2025), bring documents that prove your identity, residency, and Social Security number — typically a birth certificate or passport, your residency proof, and your Social Security card or a W-2.

Renewal costs and license types

A standard driver's license renewal in South Dakota costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license. You choose the term when you renew. The eight-year option costs more upfront but spreads the cost over a longer period.

A REAL ID-compliant license costs the same as a standard license. The difference is in the documents you bring and the verification process — REAL ID requires proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number, while a standard renewal only requires your current license and residency proof.

The DPS accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at the Sioux Falls office. If you renew by mail, you can pay by check or money order. Online renewals require a credit or debit card.

In-person renewal at the Sioux Falls office

Walk in during business hours with your documents. You do not need an appointment. Fill out form DL-44 (process for Driver's License or Instruction Permit) at the office or read it from the South Dakota DPS website before you go.

The staff will verify your documents, take a new photo, and may ask you to read a vision chart. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you may need to pass a written exam or road test depending on your age and the reason for the lapse. Most routine renewals do not require a test.

Processing is usually when ready. You will receive your new license the same day if you renew in person, though the physical card may take a few days to arrive by mail if the office is busy.

Renewing by mail from Sioux Falls

You can renew by mail if your license is not expired more than one year, not suspended or revoked, and you have not changed your address. Mail your current license, a completed form DL-44, proof of residency, and a check or money order to:

South Dakota Department of Public Safety Driver Licensing Program 118 West Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501

Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, renew in person at the Sioux Falls office instead.

Renewing online

Online renewal is available through the South Dakota DPS website if your license is valid (not expired), not suspended or revoked, and you have not changed your address or name. You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.

Online renewals process within a few business days, and your new license will be mailed to your address on file. You cannot renew online if you want to change your address, add a REAL ID designation, or if your license has been expired for any length of time.

What happens if your license is expired more than one year

If your South Dakota license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must renew in person at the Sioux Falls DPS office.

Depending on your age and how long the license has been expired, you may need to pass a vision test, written exam, or road test. Drivers under 65 who let their license expire for more than one year often must pass the written exam. Drivers 65 and older may have different requirements. Call the Sioux Falls office at (605) 773-6883 before you go to find out what you will need to bring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I moved out of Sioux Falls but still live in South Dakota?

Yes. You can renew at any DPS Driver Licensing office in South Dakota, not just Sioux Falls. If you moved to another city, find the nearest office on the South Dakota DPS website. You can also renew by mail or online if you meet the conditions (license not expired more than one year, not suspended, address not changed).

What if I changed my name since my last license?

You must renew in person at the Sioux Falls office. Bring your current license, a legal document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), proof of residency, and your Social Security number. You cannot renew by mail or online if your name has changed.

How long does a renewed license last?

You choose either a four-year or eight-year license when you renew. A four-year license costs $24.50 and an eight-year license costs $49. Both are valid for their full term unless suspended or revoked.

What if I need a REAL ID license instead of a standard license?

Bring your birth certificate or passport, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or W-2 to the Sioux Falls office. A REAL ID license costs the same as a standard license but requires more documents to prove your identity and Social Security number. You can renew with REAL ID in person only, not by mail or online.

Can I renew my license if it was suspended or revoked?

No. You must contact the South Dakota DPS to resolve the suspension or revocation before you can renew. Call (605) 773-6883 or visit the DPS website to find out why your license was suspended and what steps you need to take.