GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of South Dakota. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
5 years
65 and over: vision statement required
Zero tolerance for some drugs
Illegal
Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites
80
80
80
80
70
70
0.17
30 days
Yes
Discretionary
Yes
No
8-18 yrs must be properly secured in a seat belt, harnessed child safety seat or booster seat
Under 5 yrs and under 40 lbs must be properly secured in a child safety seat
16 years
14
275* days (or 180 days after passing driver's ed.)
*effective July 1, 2021
50 (10 at night and 10 in inclement weather)*
*effective July 1, 2021
14 + minimum of 6 months
10 p.m. - 6 a.m. (exemption for going directly to or from school event, work or church event and driving agricultural machinery)*
*effective July 1, 2021
No passengers outside of household for first 6 months; 1 passenger outside of household after 6 months.*
*effective July 1, 2021
Secondary
18 and over
Front
No
No
Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Secondary law.
All drivers. Secondary law.
n/a
None
n/a
Prohibited
Seat belt use has risen to nearly 80% in South Dakota, increasing at a rate faster than the national average. South Dakota Office of Highway Safety Director Lee Axdahl speaks to the progress made and the work remaining.
June 28, 2019
The winner of the South Dakota's annual "Lessons Learned SD" teen driver safety contest has been announced. South Dakota Office of Highway Safety Director Lee Axdahl discusses the contest's impact.
May 24, 2019
On Super Bowl Sunday, Jim Reaper, a character created by the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety, bar hopped around Sioux Falls to spread the word against impaired driving. Office of Highway Safety Director, and GHSA Treasurer, Lee Axdahl elaborates.
Choosing to tailor outreach to motorcyclists, the South Dakota Office of Highway Safety took an innovative approach to the use of its drowsy driving grant from The National Road Safety Foundation, Inc. and GHSA.
In advance of the Youngstown Sate vs. USD game, South Dakota Office of Highway Safety Director Lee Axdahl reminds fans to buckle up and drive safely.
Story by Brittany Kaye
October 16, 2018
The South Dakota Office of Highway Safety has completed another year of its "Lessons Learned SD" campaign, which encourages young drivers to watch and respond to safe driving videos. Office of Highway Safety Director and GHSA Treasurer Lee Axdahl comments on the campaign.
Motorcycle Helmet Required?
Helmets required for riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1977.
