How to Get Your South Dakota Motorcycle License
The actual step-by-step process, from application to full license — not just what's on the exam. Confirm anything time-sensitive (fees, forms) with South Dakota DPS directly.
Standard Path
Apply for a motorcycle instruction permit at 14
Pass the 25-question motorcycle knowledge test (80%, 20 correct) and a vision screening at a DPS office.
Practice under permit restrictions
Ride only during daylight hours, supervised by a licensed rider at least 18 years old, with no passenger.
Apply for a full motorcycle license at 16
Pass a vision screening, both car/truck and motorcycle knowledge tests, and a driving test.
Follow under-18 restrictions
An operator or passenger under 18 must wear a helmet, and a motorcyclist under 18 with an endorsement can't carry a passenger or ride 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Basic Rider Course Path
Complete an approved Basic Rider Course
Successfully completing an approved Basic Rider Course automatically grants an M endorsement, skipping the state's own knowledge and skills tests.
- Basic Rider Course completion certificate
Receive your M endorsement
The endorsement is added directly to your existing driver's license.
Follow age-based restrictions
Under-18 helmet, passenger, and curfew restrictions still apply regardless of which path was used to earn the endorsement.
Notes
- The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brings a massive seasonal surge in motorcycle traffic across South Dakota every August.
- A rider 18 or older faces no state helmet requirement at all.
- Exact fees and current procedures change over time — confirm the current process with the official South Dakota DPS website before you ride.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-24