Students Restricted From Driving South Dakota State Vehicles
The new policy mandates that only state employees and authorized volunteers may operate fleet vehicles for university travel.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Administration
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The South Dakota Board of Regents implemented a new policy in August 2026 that prohibits university students who are not state employees from driving state-owned vehicles. The rule change impacts how student organizations at South Dakota State University and other institutions coordinate travel for university-sponsored activities.
Why it matters
The change stems from an effort by the South Dakota Office of Fleet and Travel Management to standardize usage trends and clarify liability for state-owned assets. For students and organizations, this requires a shift in how they plan logistics for scheduled university business or recruiting travel.
The policy restricts the operation of state fleet vehicles to only state employees and authorized volunteers, moving away from past student-driven access. This affects the daily logistics of more than 240 student organizations.
The players
South Dakota Board of Regents
The governing body responsible for overseeing public higher education institutions in South Dakota and setting state-wide administrative policies.
South Dakota State University
A public research university serving over 240 student organizations that are now adjusting to new vehicle travel requirements.
South Dakota Office of Fleet and Travel Management
The state authority that identifies vehicle-usage trends and manages the use of state-owned fleets.
The details
The new directive mandates that state vehicles be reserved exclusively for official state business, specifically recruiting or university-sponsored, structured, and scheduled events. By prohibiting non-employee students from operating these vehicles, the state aims to align with standardized fleet management best practices. The South Dakota State University Students' Association has formally requested a revision of these requirements to address the impact on campus operations.
Timeline
Spring 2026: SDSU officials received notification of the upcoming policy change.
August 2026: The Board of Regents implemented the new policy regarding state vehicle operation.
October 5, 2026: The Students' Association passed a resolution seeking a revision of the policy.
October 7-8, 2026: The Board of Regents held a first reading of the policy in Vermillion.
December 2026: The Board of Regents will hold a second hearing to discuss the policy.
The Home Front
This restriction follows a trend of increasing oversight regarding the use of state-owned assets and the liability associated with university-sanctioned travel. It marks a significant shift from prior decentralized fleet management toward more rigid, state-controlled access.
Students and faculty involved in student organizations should review their upcoming travel plans to ensure all drivers meet the new state employment or volunteer requirements. Contact your university's administrative office to confirm if your organization's scheduled activities comply with the updated fleet access rules.
The takeaway
The tightening of state vehicle access requires student groups to re-evaluate how they facilitate travel for university-sponsored events. Organizers should confirm the employment status of all designated drivers before scheduling future trips involving state-owned vehicles.
What happens next
The Board of Regents is scheduled to hold a second hearing regarding the vehicle operation policy during their meeting in December 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local university policy shifts in South Dakota Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Collegian.
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