ELDT Training in South Dakota — FMCSA-Registered Online Course

New CDL applicants in South Dakota, from Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen and Brookings, need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider before South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing will give them the skills test. Lowest Cost ELDT is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so the SD theory portion is done online for $20 and your South Dakota record is reported automatically.

How to get your CDL in South Dakota

  1. Get your CLP from South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing

    Pass the CDL knowledge tests, plus any endorsement tests, at a SD licensing office.

  2. Complete ELDT theory online

    Finish the Class A or Class B theory course here, $20, at your own pace from anywhere in South Dakota; bus drivers add the passenger course and school bus drivers both the passenger and school bus courses.

  3. We report it to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry

    Your completion is submitted automatically, usually within minutes; the SD licensing agency checks the registry electronically before your skills test.

  4. Finish behind-the-wheel training in South Dakota

    Range and public-road training is done in person with one of the registered SD providers listed below, for example in Sioux Falls; it can be a different provider from your theory course.

  5. Pass the CDL skills test in South Dakota

    Federal rule 49 CFR 383.25 requires you to hold the SD CLP at least 14 days first; then book the pre-trip, basic control and road test with South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Driver Licensing.

South Dakota licensing details

CLP fee
Varies; check the current fee on the South Dakota DPS site
CDL fee
Varies; check the current fee on the South Dakota DPS site
  • Applicants must be 18 or older and pass a general knowledge test, any specialized knowledge tests, and a driving skills test; the Driver Licensing Program answers questions through the Department of Public Safety website.
  • CDL holders with a K restriction have until August 29, 2026 to get a medical certificate on file to avoid a medical downgrade.

These SD fees and procedures are set by the agency and change without notice; confirm them on the official site before you go. Training costs are separate from South Dakota fees: see what ELDT costs in 2026.

Behind-the-wheel schools in South Dakota

SD has 34 registered training locations across 23 cities on the FMCSA registry: 25 registered for Class A, 29 for Class B, 19 for the passenger endorsement and 19 for school bus. 8 of the 34 (24%) publish a website, and the newest SD registry record dates from August 2026.

Browse by city: Sioux Falls CDL schools, Rapid City CDL schools and Aberdeen CDL schools, or open the full South Dakota school directory with phone numbers and the classes each location teaches.

Counts come from the FMCSA registry export. We do not endorse any SD school; confirm courses, schedules and prices with the provider.

Hazmat endorsement in South Dakota

8 of the 34 registered South Dakota locations are hazmat (H) theory locations. Hazmat ELDT is theory only, so SD drivers can take the $20 hazmat endorsement course online, warm up with the free hazmat practice test, then pass the South Dakota hazmat knowledge test and complete the TSA security threat assessment.

Courses accepted in South Dakota

Each course is the federal curriculum, reported to the Training Provider Registry when a SD driver passes.

Class A

CLASS A CDL

For combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001+ lbs, where the towed vehicle is over 10,000 lbs.

For first-time Class A applicants. Reported to FMCSA as a New Class A application. Already hold a Class B CDL and want Class A? Choose the Class B to Class A Upgrade course instead.

30 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Class B

CLASS B CDL

For single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001+ lbs, or towing vehicles under 10,000 lbs.

For first-time Class B applicants. Reported to FMCSA as a New Class B application.

29 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Class A

CLASS B TO CLASS A UPGRADE

Class B to Class A upgrade theory curriculum covering advanced commercial vehicle operation, safety procedures, inspections, control skills, and compliance requirements for drivers moving from Class B to Class A CDL.

Class B to Class A upgrade. Reported to FMCSA as an Upgrade. Only for drivers who currently hold a valid Class B CDL.

3 hours
22 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
School Bus

SCHOOL BUS ENDORSEMENT

Required endorsement for all school bus drivers, covering safety protocols and procedures.

11 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Passenger

PASSENGER ENDORSEMENT

Required for drivers operating vehicles designed to transport 16+ passengers.

5 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll
Hazmat

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ENDORSEMENT

Required theory training for transporting hazardous materials safely and legally.

12 hours
13 lessons
English
  • FMCSA Compliant Curriculum
  • TPR Submission Included
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Mobile-Friendly Access
$20
View CourseEnroll

South Dakota ELDT questions

Does South Dakota DPS accept online ELDT theory?
Yes. DPS verifies training through the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, so online theory from a registered provider is accepted.
Who do I contact about South Dakota CDL questions?
The Driver Licensing Program of the Department of Public Safety (see the DPS website for current contact options).
What is the South Dakota K restriction deadline?
Drivers with a K (intrastate-only) restriction must have a medical certificate from their provider on file by August 29, 2026 or face a CDL medical downgrade.
Where can I do behind-the-wheel training in South Dakota?
With one of the 34 South Dakota locations on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, including locations in Sioux Falls, Rapid City and Aberdeen; 25 are registered for Class A training and 29 for Class B. Theory and behind-the-wheel training can come from different registered providers, so you can finish the online theory first and then choose a school. Each school sets its own schedule and pricing, and some registered providers, such as school districts and transit agencies, train only their own drivers, so confirm before you enroll; we do not endorse any of them.

Start your SD CDL training today

$20 online theory, accepted in South Dakota and reported to the FMCSA registry automatically.

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