How to Gift a Car in South Dakota in 2026

In South Dakota, gifting a motor vehicle represents a transfer of ownership without monetary consideration. The recipient must complete a vehicle title and registration application at the county treasurer's office and comply with the state's 45-day titling deadline following acquisition of the vehicle.

How Does Gifting a Car in South Dakota Work?

A motor vehicle gift in South Dakota follows the same title and registration process used for all ownership transfers. The current owner provides the recipient with the signed certificate of title along with a bill of sale indicating the transfer. The recipient then submits the Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration Form at a county treasurer's office, which is the entity responsible for motor vehicle titling and registration throughout the state. Note that the application form must be printed, signed, and submitted to the county treasurer's office—electronic submissions are not currently processed.

South Dakota Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

Every motor vehicle operated on the highways of South Dakota must be titled. The recipient cannot register a gifted vehicle without obtaining a valid South Dakota certificate of title. If the current owner holds a South Dakota title, the recipient uses that title as the basis for the new title application. If no South Dakota title exists—such as when the vehicle originates from a jurisdiction that does not title vehicles of that classification—the recipient may submit ownership documentation, such as an out-of-state title or registration records, along with the title application.

For older vehicles without any title record on file, South Dakota permits a bonded title application. A vehicle 30 years or older with no record in the state system may be titled through a surety bond process, with verification by a motor vehicle division agent if required. The recipient must request a bonded title through the Motor Vehicle Division or county treasurer's office, obtain a surety bond, and submit all required documentation and fees to the county treasurer's office.

License Plates

In South Dakota, license plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. Upon a change of ownership, the previous owner must remove their plates. The recipient may transfer an existing plate registration to the new vehicle if both vehicles are similar in type and classification or may purchase new plates. Transfer of plates from the donor's prior vehicle to the gifted vehicle is permitted at the county treasurer's office without additional transfer fees.

The gifted vehicle must display valid registration plates before operation on public roads. A recipient may use a temporary plate while awaiting permanent registration if the registration process is completed within 45 days of acquisition. Expired plates may not be transferred; only active plates eligible for continued use may be reassigned to a replacement vehicle.

Taxes and Fees

A gift transfer between qualifying parties is treated favorably for tax purposes in South Dakota. Transfers without consideration between spouses, parent and child, or siblings are explicitly exempt from the 4% motor vehicle excise tax under the motor vehicle exemption provisions. For gifts falling outside these relationships, the 4% excise tax applies based on the vehicle's fair market value.

The recipient must pay a title application fee of $10, regardless of whether the transfer qualifies for excise tax exemption. A $2 technology fee applies to title transactions as of July 1, 2025. Registration fees vary based on vehicle weight, type, and intended use and range from approximately $20 to several hundred dollars annually or biennially.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in South Dakota

Step 1: Prepare documentation from the donor.

The current owner signs the back of the certificate of title, entering the recipient's name, the transfer date, and any required fields. If the title lists two owners joined by "AND" or "AND/OR," both owners must sign. If owners are joined by "OR," only one owner needs to sign. The donor should also prepare a bill of sale indicating the transfer occurred without monetary consideration or stating a nominal amount.

Step 2: Verify odometer disclosure requirements.

For vehicles manufactured in Model Year 2011 or newer and weighing less than 16,000 pounds, federal law requires an odometer disclosure statement upon every transfer of ownership for the first 20 years. Model Year 2010 and older vehicles are subject to the previous 10-year disclosure rule. The donor must accurately document the odometer reading at the time of transfer. The county treasurer's office provides copies of the required form.

Step 3: Collect the title application and supporting documents.

The recipient obtains the Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration from the county treasurer's office or the Department of Revenue website at https://dor.sd.gov/individuals/motor-vehicle/cars-trucks-vans/. The recipient gathers the signed title, bill of sale, odometer disclosure statement (if required), proof of liability insurance, and identification documents.

Step 4: Verify insurance coverage.

South Dakota law requires proof of financial responsibility before a motor vehicle may be registered. The recipient must have a valid liability insurance policy issued by an insurer licensed in South Dakota. The insurance policy must be active on the date of the title application.

Step 5: Submit the application at the county treasurer's office.

The recipient visits the local county treasurer's office with a completed application, signed title, bill of sale, odometer disclosure (if applicable), proof of insurance, and identification. Alternatively, the recipient may mail the materials to the appropriate county treasurer. If mailing, payment must be submitted by check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to the county treasurer.

Step 6: Pay all applicable fees.

The recipient pays the $10 title fee, $2 technology fee, the 4% excise tax (if not exempt based on relationship), registration fees for the vehicle type and weight, county wheel tax (if applicable), solid waste fee ($1), highway patrol fee ($1), and plate mailing fee ($7.50, if applicable).

Step 7: Receive the new title and registration.

Once processed and paid, the county treasurer issues a new certificate of title in the recipient's name and provides registration documentation and plates. The registration becomes effective upon issuance, and the recipient may operate the vehicle on public roads.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in South Dakota

• Current South Dakota certificate of title signed by all registered owners
• Bill of sale signed by donor(s) indicating transfer of vehicle without or for nominal consideration
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (required for vehicles Model Year 2011 or newer, weighing less than 16,000 pounds; available from the county treasurer's office)
• Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration completed and signed by the recipient(s)
• Proof of liability insurance with a South Dakota licensed insurer
• Valid identification document (driver's license or state identification card) for the recipient
• Out-of-state title or registration records (if no South Dakota title exists)
• Bonded Title Request Form and surety bond (for vehicles 30 years or older with no record on file; form available from Motor Vehicle Division or county treasurer's office)

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in South Dakota

Contact Information

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division
445 East Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 773-3541
Official Website: South Dakota Department of Revenue