How long does cdl truck driver training take in South Dakota?

Most people become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota through FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years.

Do CDL truck drivers need a license in South Dakota?

Yes. South Dakota requires state-level licensing or registration for CDL truck drivers, administered by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do CDL truck drivers earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), CDL truck drivers in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $58,690.

Q: What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 6,470 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2025 to 2035.

Updated October 30, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota employs about 6,470 CDL truck drivers earning a median $58,690 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a CDL Truck Driver here means completing FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years, then applying through South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Compare CDL Truck Driver Schools in South Dakota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Alexandria Technical & Community College	74.5	$6,236	$59,377	60%	Yes*	229 mi
2	Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College	66.7	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	73%	Yes*	349 mi
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3	Northland Community and Technical College	63.6	$6,289	$54,671	56%	Yes*	317 mi
4	Turtle Mountain Community College	61.9	$2,794	Not reported	43%	Yes*	329 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Riverland Community College	59.3	$6,298	$49,768	52%	Yes*	316 mi
6	Central Community College	59.3	$3,360 in-state / $4,800 out-of-state	$48,675	48%	Yes*	225 mi
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7	Cloud County Community College	59.0	$3,540 in-state / $4,500 out-of-state	$45,359	55%	Yes*	324 mi
8	Western Iowa Tech Community College	57.6	$5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state	$47,713	50%	Yes*	186 mi
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9	Southeast Community College Area	55.6	$3,690 in-state / $4,320 out-of-state	$54,277	38%	Yes*	264 mi
10	Sitting Bull College	53.9	$4,010	$39,240	22%	Yes*	154 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

South Dakota employs approximately 6,470 CDL truck drivers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,690 ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 214,500 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: ELDT from a Training Provider Registry school (find programs)
Typical timeline: FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years
Licensing authority: South Dakota Department of Public Safety
Exam: state CDL skills test
Median wage (South Dakota): $58,690 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota

How to become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota? Complete FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Apply through South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

How long does it take? Most people finish FMCSA ELDT, a DOT medical exam, a CLP, and a state-issued CDL. Training is measured in weeks, not years. Confirm current hour totals with the program and South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota credentials this role through South Dakota Department of Public Safety ³. See the licensing section below.

What do CDL truck drivers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in South Dakota is $58,690 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,590 and experienced professionals can earn $78,610 or more ¹.

How to Become a CDL Truck Driver in South Dakota

Meet age, record, and medical rules. Interstate CDL driving is generally 21 and up; many states allow intrastate CDL at 18. Pass a DOT medical exam from an NRCME examiner.
Complete FMCSA ELDT. Take Entry-Level Driver Training from a school on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test. Earn a commercial learner’s permit, practice, then pass the skills test at the state driver-license office.
Receive the CDL and endorsements. The state issues the CDL. Add endorsements the job needs. Confirm current rules with the state DMV, not a parent transportation agency homepage.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CDL Truck Driver License Requirements in South Dakota

CDL truck drivers in South Dakota complete FMCSA ELDT, pass a DOT medical exam, and earn a state-issued CDL. This is a weeks-long path, not a multi-year apprenticeship. See South Dakota Department of Public Safety ³.

Typical path

Meet age, record, and DOT medical rules.
Complete ELDT on the Training Provider Registry.
Get a CLP and pass the skills test.
Receive the CDL and needed endorsements from the state DMV.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with South Dakota Department of Public Safety before you enroll.

CDL Truck Driver Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Sioux City	2,820	$51,540	$55,120	$38,450	$79,320
Sioux Falls	2,540	$60,820	$60,270	$44,730	$74,630
Rapid City	740	$59,110	$59,750	$45,120	$79,890

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for CDL truck drivers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 6,470 CDL truck drivers ¹. Nationally, cdl truck driver employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035 ².

Can I work as a cdl truck driver in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Department of Public Safety for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.

How much do CDL truck drivers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for CDL truck drivers in South Dakota is $58,690, which is $1,250 above the national median of $57,440 according to BLS data ¹.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota (2026)

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Department of Public Safety - Licensing Information: https://dps.sd.gov/driver-licensing/commercial-drivers-license ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2025-2035
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 31.0 (updated 2026-10-14)