SD rolls out new drivers license

On Sept. 3, 2026, residents of South Dakota received the announcement that their driver’s licenses and identification cards will be replaced. New cards will have updated security features and a new image on the front. 

The security features are intended to further prevent identity theft, fraud and other forms of identity-related crime. University of South Dakota Police Chief Bryant Jackson said the new features will make the cards more secure.

“The updated design and embedded security elements will be more difficult to duplicate and easier for law enforcement, retailers and other ID checkers to verify, helping strengthen the overall integrity of South Dakota’s identification system,” Jackson said.

The new changes could also help reduce the use of fake IDs. As technology has improved, creating fake IDs has become more sophisticated. The added complexity could make the cards more expensive and difficult to produce, limiting the purchase of them.

“In addition to the enhanced security features, law enforcement officers have the ability to access Nlets (the International Justice and Public Safety Network) to confirm the validity of a driver’s license in real time,” Jackson said. 

The system will give police officers another way to verify whether an ID is authentic or fake in real time.

     The new IDs also include a simpler format intended to make the information easier for users and officials to read. Jackson said the change could aid in a more efficient, safer, and timely verification process during public safety interactions. 

     There is no immediate action required to obtain an updated ID. South Dakotans will receive a new card when they renew or are issued a driver’s license or identification card.