South Dakota now allows certain temporary foreign workers and U.S. territory residents with specific employment visas (H-2A, H-2B, or E-2) to obtain nondomiciled commercial driver licenses. The Department of Motor Vehicles must verify their immigration status through federal systems, keep copies of their application documents for two years, and set their license expiration date to match their visa expiration or one year from issuance—whichever comes first.
This bill does not directly amend codified state law.
The amendment removed eligibility for individuals domiciled in states with decertified commercial driver licensing programs, narrowing nondomiciled licenses to only employment-based visa holders and U.S. territory residents.
The amendment replaced eligibility criteria based on foreign jurisdiction standards with specific requirements for H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 visa holders, and updated federal regulatory references from January 1, 2015 to January 1, 2026.
Signed by the Governor S.J. 514
Delivered to the Governor S.J. 488
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 530
Signed by the President S.J. 470
Senate Concurred in amendments Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 443
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 66, NAYS 0. H.J. 457
Transportation Certified uncontested, placed on consent
Transportation Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 10, NAYS 0.
Transportation Motion to amend
Transportation Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Transportation H.J. 279
Senate Do Pass Passed, YEAS 33, NAYS 0. S.J. 221
Transportation Certified uncontested, placed on consent S.J. 11
Transportation Do Pass Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0. S.J. 11
Transportation Scheduled for hearing S.J. 1
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Transportation S.J. 142
Prime sponsor · Sen.
R
Prime sponsor · Rep.
R
Cosponsors
Concurred in amendments
Do Pass Amended
Transportation — Do Pass Amended
Do Pass
Transportation — Do Pass