Suspended license in South Dakota: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In South Dakota, the first points threshold is 15 points within 1 year: Subject to suspension: sixty days for a first suspension, six months for a second, one year for a subsequent suspension, based on the record during the last forty-eight months. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $75.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing (24/7 Sobriety Program administered by the Office of the Attorney General) states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
South Dakota's point system (SDCL 32-12-49.1) assigns points to convictions for listed moving traffic offenses; a driver who accumulates fifteen points within any twelve consecutive months or twenty-two points within any twenty-four consecutive months is subject to driver license suspension, and the Department of Public Safety lists having too many points as a ground for suspension.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 points | 1 year | Subject to suspension: sixty days for a first suspension, six months for a second, one year for a subsequent suspension, based on the record during the last forty-eight months | sdlegislature.gov |
| 22 points | 2 years | Subject to suspension on the same sixty-day / six-month / one-year schedule | sdlegislature.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 4 years. Points are counted within twelve- and twenty-four-month windows; the suspension length depends on the licensee's record during the last forty-eight months, and in deciding whether to suspend the Department may not consider any offense more than four years old. A hearing is available on request before suspension.
“(1) First suspension--sixty days; (2) Second suspension--six months; and (3) Subsequent suspension--one year.”
“In determining whether a driver license or privilege should be suspended or revoked under this section, the director may not consider any offense that is more than four years old.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| Eluding/attempting to elude a police officer | 6 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way | 4 |
| Stop sign/light violation | 3 |
| Other moving offenses | 2 |
| Speeding offenses (not included in 'other moving offenses'; no points listed) | 0 |
Check points or the driving record: sd.gov
The statute: S.D. Codified Laws § 32-12-49.2
“has been convicted of traffic violations resulting in the accumulation of fifteen points within any twelve consecutive months, or twenty - two points within any twenty - four consecutive months.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Having too many points on your driving record | Fifteen points in twelve consecutive months or twenty-two in twenty-four subjects the driver to suspension of sixty days, six months or one year depending on prior suspensions in the last forty-eight months; a hearing is available on request before suspension. | Serve the suspension, then pay the application fee and the reinstatement fee; no testing is required after a suspension unless the license has expired. | $75 |
| Failure to maintain proof of auto insurance | A conviction for failure to maintain proof of financial responsibility is a Class 2 misdemeanor with a driver license suspension of not less than 30 days or more than one year and an SR-22 filing for three years from the conviction date; failing to file proof suspends the vehicle registration, plates and license. | Serve the suspension, file proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) for three years, and pay the application and reinstatement fees. | $75 |
| Failure to pay a fine resulting from a traffic violation | Listed by the Department as a ground for suspension; SDCL 32-12-49(6) covers a licensee who has failed to pay a fine or comply with the terms of a citation issued in the state, and the suspension period begins on the date the order is effective for failure to comply with a citation. | Comply with the citation, then pay the application and reinstatement fees. | $75 |
| Unpaid child support | Listed by the Department of Public Safety among the reasons a license may be cancelled, disqualified, revoked or suspended. | Reinstatement requires the application fee and the reinstatement fee once eligible. | $75 |
| Unpaid debt owed to the State of South Dakota | Listed by the Department of Public Safety among the reasons a license may be cancelled, disqualified, revoked or suspended. | Reinstatement requires the application fee and the reinstatement fee once eligible. | $75 |
| Giving false information when you apply for a driver's license or non-driver ID card | Listed by the Department; SDCL 32-12-49(8) covers a licensee who made a false statement or representation or failed to disclose a material fact to obtain a license or ID card. | Reinstatement requires the application fee and the reinstatement fee; after a revocation, all applicable tests are required. | $75 |
| Drug conviction in a vehicle | Listed by the Department of Public Safety among the reasons a license may be revoked or suspended (SDCL 32-12-52.3 provides mandatory revocation for drug-related offenses). | Following a revocation, all applicable tests plus the application fee and reinstatement fee are required. | $75 |
| Failing to settle a financial judgment from a motor vehicle accident | Listed by the Department; an operator revoked or suspended following a judgment must establish proof of financial responsibility for the future before driving or re-registering a vehicle. | Settle the judgment, file proof of financial responsibility for the future (most motorists use an SR-22 filing), and pay the fees. | $75 |
Source quotes for each cause
Having too many points on your driving record
“Having too many points on your driving record as dictated by the current point system”
Failure to maintain proof of auto insurance
“driver license suspension for a period of not less than 30 days or more than one year, and filing proof of insurance (SR-22) with the state of South Dakota for three years from date of conviction.”
Failure to pay a fine resulting from a traffic violation
“(6) Has failed to pay a fine or comply with the terms of a citation issued in the state;”
Unpaid child support
“Unpaid child support”
Unpaid debt owed to the State of South Dakota
“Unpaid debt owed to the State of South Dakota”
Giving false information when you apply for a driver's license or non-driver ID card
“(8) Has made a false statement or representation or fails to disclose a material fact in order to obtain a driver license or nondriver identification card.”
Drug conviction in a vehicle
“Drug conviction in a vehicle”
Failing to settle a financial judgment from a motor vehicle accident
“Any operator who has had his license revoked or suspended following a judgment, a conviction for no insurance, vehicular homicide, DUI or second offense reckless driving in a one-year period must establish proof of financial responsibility for the future”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $75. SDCL 32-12-47.1 sets the reinstatement fee at seventy-five dollars when none of the listed conviction-specific amounts apply, paid in addition to the application fee under § 32-12-16; DUI and certain other revocations carry $100 to $225. The Department of Public Safety states reinstatement fees range from $75 to $225 depending on circumstances.
“(f) If none of the preceding subdivisions apply, seventy-five dollars; and”
Wait for the suspension or revocation period to expire
The license may not be renewed or restored until the period has expired; it begins on the date ordered by the court, the date in the Department's notice, or the effective date of a citation non-compliance order, whichever is earlier.
“Any individual whose license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on public highways has been revoked, suspended, or disqualified may not have the license or privilege renewed or restored unless the period of revocation, suspension, or disqualification has expired.”
Pay the reinstatement fee and application fee
A person whose license was revoked or suspended must pay a license reinstatement fee in addition to the application fee when eligible to apply.
“A person whose license has been revoked or suspended is required by law to pay a license reinstatement fee in addition to the application fee when they are eligible to apply for a license.”
Testing after a revocation
Vision and knowledge tests are required following a revocation; after a suspension no testing is required unless the license has expired.
“Following suspension, no testing will be required to reinstate the license unless the license has expired. Application fees and the reinstatement fee will be required.”
File proof of financial responsibility where required
Required after a judgment, no-insurance conviction, vehicular homicide, DUI or second reckless driving in a year; most motorists use an SR-22 filing from their insurer.
“Most motorists provide proof of financial responsibility for the future by obtaining a SR22 insurance filing from their automobile insurance company.”
Official page: sd.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in South Dakota.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Restricted Work/School Permit (restricted license under SDCL 32-12-49.4). The Secretary of Public Safety may issue a restricted license to a person suspended, revoked, disqualified or cancelled under SDCL 32-12-49 (which includes points suspensions) to drive to and from and for employment or to attend school, under rules on eligibility, application, limitations and revocation. The Department's Restricted Work/School Permit Application requires proof of auto insurance listing the applicant for withdrawals other than DUI or no insurance, which require an SR-22; missing documentation results in denial after 30 days.
“may issue a restricted license to a person whose license has been suspended, revoked, disqualified, or canceled pursuant to § 32-12-49 to allow the person to drive to and from the person's place of employment, for purposes of the person's employment, or for attendance at school.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in South Dakota.
Questions about a suspended license in South Dakota
- How many points suspend a South Dakota license?
- Under SDCL 32-12-49.2, a driver who accumulates fifteen points within any twelve consecutive months or twenty-two points within any twenty-four consecutive months is subject to suspension. SDCL 32-12-49.3 sets the period at sixty days for a first suspension, six months for a second and one year for a subsequent one, based on the record during the last forty-eight months.
- How many points does each violation carry in South Dakota?
- SDCL 32-12-49.1 lists driving while intoxicated ten points, reckless driving eight, eluding six, drag racing six, failure to yield four, improper passing four, driving on the wrong side four, stop sign or light violations three, and other moving offenses two; it states that other moving offenses do not include speeding.
- Can a course remove points in South Dakota?
- Neither the Department of Public Safety's suspension and reinstatement article nor SDCL chapter 32-12 describes a course that removes points or dismisses a citation.
- What does reinstatement cost in South Dakota?
- SDCL 32-12-47.1 sets a seventy-five dollar reinstatement fee when no conviction-specific amount applies, plus the application fee; DUI and certain other revocations carry $100 to $225. The Department of Public Safety states fees range from $75 to $225 and that a revocation also requires vision and knowledge tests.
- Is a restricted license available during a South Dakota points suspension?
- SDCL 32-12-49.4 allows the Secretary of Public Safety to issue a restricted license to a person suspended under SDCL 32-12-49 for driving to, from and for employment or to attend school. The Department's Restricted Work/School Permit Application requires proof of insurance and, for DUI or no-insurance withdrawals, an SR-22.
Sources
- SD DPS - Revoked or Suspended Driver License and Reinstatement (KB0043742; article revised 04/15/2026)
- SD DPS - Driver License/ID Card Fees (KB0043708; reinstatement fees $75 to $225)
- SD DPS - Request A South Dakota Driving Record (KB0043854)
- SD DPS - Restricted Work/School Permit Application (PDF)
- SDCL § 32-12-49 - Suspension, revocation or cancellation after opportunity for hearing; grounds; four-year limit
- SDCL § 32-12-49.1 - Point system for offenses; number of points charged
- SDCL § 32-12-49.2 - Point accumulation subjecting license to suspension
- SDCL § 32-12-49.3 - Suspension based on licensee's record (60 days / 6 months / 1 year)
- SDCL § 32-12-49.4 - Restricted license for employment or school purposes
- SDCL § 32-12-47.1 - Renewal or restoration after suspension, revocation or disqualification; fee
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "South Dakota license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/south-dakota/suspended-license/