Transportation & Infrastructure

Updates the official list of state highways.

This bill makes technical corrections to highway descriptions in South Dakota's state trunk highway system. It changes a reference from U.S. Highway 14B to U.S. Highway 14 in the route description through Pierre and other cities, and makes minor adjustments to geographic descriptions of highway routes in Fall River, Custer, Pennington, and Lawrence counties, including more precise boundary descriptions near Wind Cave National Park.

Updates how the state adopts federal trucking regulations.

This bill updates the adoption of federal motor carrier regulations by changing the effective date from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026, removes the exemption for two-axle vehicles from federal regulations (meaning more small commercial vehicles will now be subject to federal motor carrier safety requirements), and removes the medical certification exemption for intrastate drivers.

Raises fees for reinstating licenses and getting driving records.

This bill increases reinstatement fees for suspended driver's licenses (references subsection 32-12-47.1(f) instead of the current $50 flat fee) and increases the fee for certified driving record abstracts from $5 to $7.

Creates a solid background license plate option for South Dakota.

This bill creates new solid background license plate options for South Dakota motor vehicle owners. It establishes two designs (solid black with white letters/numbers and solid white with black letters/numbers), sets fees at $100 for initial issuance and annual renewal, allows personalization for an additional $25 fee, specifies eligible vehicle types (automobiles, pickup trucks, vans, and motorcycles), and directs fee distribution between the license plate special revenue fund and state highway fund.

Raises fees for mailing vehicle license plates and stickers.

This bill increases mailing fees for vehicle registration materials. It raises the fee for mailed decals from $1.50 to $2.50 per decal or set of decals, and increases the fee for mailed license plates from $7.50 to $12.00 per license plate or set of plates.

Clarifies when offenders can drive.

This bill expands the permitted driving purposes for individuals whose licenses have been revoked for drug-related vehicle violations. It adds new permitted purposes including child care delivery/pickup, health appointments, court appearances, probation appointments, 24/7 sobriety testing, treatment, and aftercare programs. The bill also removes 'attendance at school' from one section while adding it back with other purposes, and changes language from 'driver' to 'individual' throughout.

Changes speed limits for golf carts on certain roads.

This bill increases the speed limit threshold for golf cart operation on state and county highways from 25 mph to 35 mph. Golf carts will now be permitted on highways with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less, expanding where they can legally operate.