32-12-45.
Extended term of license or permit held by member of armed forces--Renewal by
mail.
A valid South Dakota operator's license, motorcycle operator's license, restricted minor's
permit, motorcycle restricted minor's permit, instruction permit, or motorcycle instruction permit
held by any person who enters or is in the United States armed forces shall continue in full force and
effect so long as the service continues and the person remains absent from this state, and for not to
exceed thirty days following the date on which the holder of such license is honorably separated from
such service or returns to this state, unless the license is sooner suspended, canceled, or revoked for
cause as provided by law. The license is valid only when in the immediate possession of the licensee
while driving and the licensee has discharge or separation papers, if discharged or separated from
the service, in the licensee's immediate possession. A license may also be renewed by mail. To renew
the license by mail, the holder shall mail to the Department of Public Safety the appropriate fee
pursuant to § 32-12-16, an affidavit signed by the holder which states that the holder is a member
of the United States armed forces and is in good health, and an affidavit signed by a licensed
optometrist or ophthalmologist that supplies proof that the holder has adequate eyesight.
Source: SDC Supp 1960, § 44.03B02 (5) as added by SL 1967, ch 200, § 1; SL 2001, ch 171, § 40;
SL 2003, ch 272, § 23.