South Dakota CDL Holders Must Update Medical Certification Before July 1


Article Body

South Dakota CDL Holders Must Update Medical Certification Before July 1

PIERRE, S.D. – Effective July 1, 2026, the State of South Dakota will adopt federal regulation 49 CFR 391.11, which requires most Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders to maintain a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (medical card). This change removes the previous Excepted Intrastate (EA) state exception, identified by the K Restriction, that allowed certain drivers to indicate they were not required to hold a Medical Certificate.

Drivers must update their medical certification status with the South Dakota Driver Licensing Program before that deadline to keep their CDL valid.

To help CDL drivers with the Excepted Intrastate (EA) designation meet the requirement, Driver Licensing will open several exam stations on select Saturdays over the next three weeks in addition to regular weekday hours so CDL holders can update their certification status and complete the required paperwork. The Saturday hours will only be available for CDL processing.

Driver Exam Stations:


Brookings, Huron, Mitchell, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls (One Stop)

  • Saturday, April 11 – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 18 – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 25 – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.


Spearfish

  • Saturday, April 11 – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Monday, April 27 – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.


Pierre

  • Saturday, April 18 – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 25 – 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.


Drivers who do not update their certification status by July 1 will have their CDL downgraded, though they may still retain a non-commercial license.

Farmers and Agriculture CDL holders with Excepted Interstate (El) may still qualify for Excepted Interstate under the following conditions: Beekeepers, custom harvesters, government employees, and certain farm vehicle drivers and qualifying covered farm vehicle operators. (See the federal regulations for a full list of excepted categories.) You will need to go to the driver exam station before July 1 to update your CDL and remove the "K" restriction and receive a new license.

More information about CDL medical certification requirements and how to update your status can be found on the CDL pages of the Driver Licensing website at SD.gov/dps.

 

#  #  #