South Dakota REAL ID: What You Need to Know
If you want to use your South Dakota driver’s license to board domestic flights, make sure it’s REAL ID-compliant by May 3, 2023.
Written by Sara Brody
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Beginning on May 3, 2023, your South Dakota driver’s license must comply with standards set by the 2005 REAL ID act if you wish to use it to board a domestic flight.
Your driver’s license is more than just a card that proves you’re licensed to drive—it’s also one of the most important identification documents in your possession. To keep your license up-to-date and optimally useful, consider an upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant form of ID by 2023.
If you feel confused about the nitty-gritty of getting a REAL ID, don’t worry.
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can guide you through the steps for upgrading your South Dakota driver’s license. Keep reading for this and more—including how to save on your South Dakota insurance costs
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What is REAL ID?
In the aftermath of 9/11, Congress passed the
REAL ID Act
in 2005 to establish new standards for ID documents, including driver’s licenses. Recommended by the 9/11 Commission, the act is intended to strengthen national security and will be enforced starting in 2023.Who needs a REAL ID?
When the act comes into full effect on May 3, 2023, you will be required to have a REAL ID if you want to:
- Enter a nuclear power plant
- Gain access to some federal facilities
- Board a federally regulated commercial aircraft (including domestic flights)
While most Americans rarely visit federal facilities or nuclear power plants, plenty of people fly regularly. If you want to use a South Dakota driver’s license at TSA checkpoints in the future, you must upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license.
Keep in mind that you can still use other identification documents to board flights after the deadline—you can find a full list on the
TSA website
. But upgrading to a REAL ID-compliant South Dakota driver’s license is probably the easiest way to navigate the change.Key Takeaway The REAL ID Act is scheduled to take effect in 2023 and sets new standards for identification documents.
How to get a South Dakota REAL ID
To get a REAL ID in South Dakota, follow these three simple steps:
- Review thedocument checklistfrom the South Dakota Department of Public Safety to gather all the paperwork that you’ll need for your REAL ID, including proof of identity and two proofs of South Dakota residency. Bear in mind that instructions differ for renewals versus new IDs.
- If you are not eligible to purchase your REAL ID online,schedule an appointmentto visit adriver licensing location.
Whether you are upgrading an old South Dakota driver’s license to be REAL ID-compliant or receiving your first South Dakota license, you should expect to pay a fee of $28.
How to save money on car insurance in South Dakota
A REAL ID-compliant South Dakota license is the fastest way to get through security for a domestic flight—but your car can also take you most places you need to go. Whether you’re driving to the airport to catch a flight or across the country for a road trip, you’ll want to make sure you have the right insurance.
And that’s where car insurance comparison and broker app
Jerry
comes in. Just download our trustworthy super app
, answer a few easy questions, and receive the best quotes for the coverage you need in less than a minute. With the average user saving $800+ per year on car insurance, it’s no surprise that Jerry is the top-rated insurance app nationwide!“Jerryhelped me so much and all I did was press a few buttons. They helped me go from paying $395 with my old insurer to $231/month with Progressive!” —Jada E.
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Patricia W.
Reviewed on 5/28/2023
Do I need a REAL ID?
You can use the
Department of Homeland Security’s website
to check whether you need a REAL ID. If you want to use your driver’s license to board domestic flights after May 3, 2023, you’ll need to have a REAL ID-compliant license.
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