South Dakota License Plate Lookup /undefined

How To Register a Car in South Dakota

Who Needs Vehicle Registration in South Dakota

Vehicle registration is mandatory for all motor vehicles operated on public roads within South Dakota. This requirement is established under the comprehensive South Dakota Codified Laws Title 32, which governs all aspects of motor vehicle operation, registration, and licensing in the state.

New residents who establish domicile in South Dakota must register their vehicles within 90 days of becoming residents. This deadline applies to individuals who obtain South Dakota driver's licenses, register to vote, or establish other indicators of permanent residence. The 90-day period begins from the date residency is established, not from the date of arrival in the state.

Military personnel stationed in South Dakota who maintain legal domicile in another state are not required to register their vehicles in South Dakota, provided their vehicles remain properly registered in their home state. However, military members who establish South Dakota as their legal domicile must comply with standard registration requirements within the 90-day timeframe.

Students attending South Dakota educational institutions while maintaining permanent residence in another state are generally exempt from registration requirements, provided their vehicles remain validly registered in their home state and are used primarily for educational purposes.

Businesses and commercial fleets operating vehicles with South Dakota addresses must register all vehicles used within the state. Commercial vehicles engaged in Interstate Registration Plan (IRP) operations may register under the apportioned system for vehicles traveling across state lines, with registration handled through county treasurer offices that serve as IRP base jurisdictions.

Temporary visitors and tourists may operate properly registered out-of-state vehicles in South Dakota without additional registration requirements, subject to the duration limits of their temporary presence.

What Types of Vehicles Need Registration in South Dakota

The following vehicle categories require registration in South Dakota:

Passenger vehicles including sedans, coupes, convertibles, and station wagons used for personal transportation
Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks under 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
Motorcycles including standard motorcycles, touring bikes, sport bikes, and motor scooters exceeding 50cc engine displacement
Commercial vehicles including delivery trucks, service vehicles, and trucks exceeding 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight requiring commercial driver's licenses
Heavy trucks and tractors used for commercial hauling and freight operations
Buses including school buses, public transit vehicles, and commercial passenger transport vehicles
Recreational vehicles including motor homes, travel trailers, camping trailers, and fifth-wheel trailers
Boat trailers and utility trailers exceeding 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
Antique and classic vehicles aged 30 years or older.
Motorcycles under 50cc and motorized bicycles meeting specific equipment standards
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs) when operated on designated public roads
Snowmobiles registered for trail system access and limited road use

Vehicle weight classifications follow federal standards, with registration fees and requirements varying based on gross vehicle weight ratings and intended use classifications.

Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Registration in South Dakota

Several vehicle categories are exempt from standard registration requirements in South Dakota:

Agricultural implements including tractors, combines, cultivators, and similar farm machinery used exclusively for agricultural operations on farms and between farm properties are exempt when operated within the scope of agricultural activities.

Farm trailers and implements moved between agricultural properties under specific conditions maintain exemption status, provided they comply with lighting and safety equipment requirements during road transport.

Government vehicles owned and operated by federal, state, county, and municipal governments are exempt from registration fees and standard registration procedures, though they may display special government identification plates.

Military tactical vehicles and specialized military equipment transported on public roads under military authority maintain exemption status during official operations.

Golf carts and low-speed vehicles used exclusively on private property, golf courses, or designated low-speed vehicle areas may be exempt from standard registration requirements.

Vehicles operated exclusively on private property including industrial sites, private roads, and enclosed facilities are exempt from registration requirements provided they do not access public roadways.

Antique vehicles used exclusively for exhibitions, parades, and similar events may qualify for special registration alternatives with limited road use privileges.

What Do You Need To Register a Car in South Dakota

Vehicle registration in South Dakota requires specific documentation and fee payments processed through county treasurer offices:

Required documents for registration include:

Completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration available from county treasurer offices and the South Dakota DOR forms page
Proof of ownership including manufacturer's certificate of origin for new vehicles, properly assigned title for used vehicles, or court-ordered ownership documentation
Valid photo identification including South Dakota driver's license or state-issued identification card
Proof of insurance meeting South Dakota minimum liability coverage requirements of 25,000/50,000/25,000 for bodily injury and property damage
Odometer disclosure statement required for vehicles under 10 years old, completed on title or separate disclosure form
Lien documentation including lien holder information and security interest documentation for financed vehicles

VIN inspection requirements apply to vehicles previously registered in other states, with inspections conducted by law enforcement officers or authorized inspectors to verify vehicle identification numbers match title documentation.

Safety and emissions inspections are not required in South Dakota. The state does not mandate periodic safety inspections, emissions testing, or equipment inspections for any vehicle category, making South Dakota one of the states without mandatory inspection programs.

Fees and taxes for vehicle registration include:

Motor vehicle excise tax at 4% of purchase price for vehicles purchased from dealers or 4% of book value for private party sales
Title fees of $10 for standard titles and $15 for expedited processing
Registration fees varying by vehicle type: $45 for passenger vehicles, $15 for motorcycles, and scaled fees for commercial vehicles based on weight
New resident title fee of $100 effective July 1, 2024, for individuals establishing South Dakota residency
County fees varying by jurisdiction, typically $1-3 for processing and administrative costs

Registration must be completed within required timeframes to avoid $2 per day late fees up to a maximum penalty, with additional consequences for extended non-compliance.

Where to Register Your Vehicle in South Dakota

South Dakota operates a county treasurer system for vehicle registration, with each county treasurer office serving as the primary registration authority. Unlike many states with centralized DMV offices, South Dakota delegates registration responsibilities to county-level officials.

Major county treasurer offices include:

Minnehaha County Treasurer
415 N Dakota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(605) 367-4374
Minnehaha County Treasurer

Pennington County Treasurer
130 Kansas City Street, Suite 250, Rapid City, SD 57701
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM-6:00 PM
(605) 394-2163
Pennington County Treasurer

Brown County Treasurer
25 Market St, Aberdeen, SD 57401
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(605) 626-7110
Brown County Treasurer

Codington County Treasurer
14 1st Ave SE, Watertown, SD 57201
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(605) 882-6289
Codington County Treasurer

Brookings County Treasurer
314 3rd Ave, Brookings, SD 57006
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(605) 696-8294
Brookings County Treasurer

A complete directory is available at the South Dakota Department of Revenue locations page. Vehicle owners must register at the county treasurer office in their county of residence, with registration transferring automatically when moving between South Dakota counties.

Authorized third-party agents including some banks, credit unions, and automotive dealerships may process certain registration transactions under agreements with county treasurer offices, though initial registrations typically require direct county office processing.

Can I Register a Vehicle Online in South Dakota?

South Dakota provides online vehicle services through the official my605drive.sd.gov portal, which replaced the previous mysdcars.sd.gov system. Online services offer convenient options for eligible transactions while maintaining security and verification requirements.

Available online services include:

Registration renewals for currently registered South Dakota vehicles with no outstanding violations or holds
Address changes for registered vehicle owners moving within South Dakota
Duplicate registration certificate requests for lost or damaged documents
License plate replacements for damaged, lost, or stolen plates
Specialty plate purchases including personalized plates and organizational plates where available

Online service limitations require in-person processing for:

Initial vehicle registration for new South Dakota residents or newly purchased vehicles
Title transfers between owners requiring signature verification and documentation review
Out-of-state vehicle transfers requiring VIN verification and document authentication
Lien additions or releases requiring secure document handling and verification
Commercial vehicle IRP registration requiring specialized documentation and fee calculations

Eligibility requirements for online services include:

No outstanding violations including unpaid fines, registration holds, or compliance issues
Verifiable insurance coverage meeting state minimum requirements with electronic verification
Current vehicle information including accurate VIN, mileage, and ownership details
Valid payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, or electronic fund transfers accepted by the system

Online transactions typically complete within 24-48 hours, with documents mailed to registered addresses and temporary permits available for immediate printing when applicable.

When Does Vehicle Registration Expire in South Dakota

South Dakota operates an annual registration system with expiration dates determined by the first letter of the vehicle owner's last name. This alphabetical system distributes renewal processing throughout the year and reduces peak-period congestion at county offices.

Monthly expiration schedule follows this pattern:

January: Last names beginning with A and B
February: Last names beginning with C and D
March: Last names beginning with E and F
April: Last names beginning with G and H
May: Last names beginning with I and J
June: Last names beginning with K and L
July: Last names beginning with M and N
August: Last names beginning with O and P
September: Last names beginning with Q and R
October: Last names beginning with S and T
November: Last names beginning with U, V, and W
December: Last names beginning with X, Y, and Z

Registration certificates and license plates display expiration months and years, with current registration required for legal vehicle operation. Vehicles must display current license plates with valid registration stickers indicating proper registration status.

Validity requirements for continued registration include:

Current insurance coverage meeting state minimum liability requirements with continuous coverage
Accurate address information with registration address matching actual vehicle location
Payment of required fees including registration fees, taxes, and any applicable penalties
Compliance with legal requirements including resolution of outstanding violations or holds

Consequences of expired registration include traffic citations, fines, vehicle impoundment possibilities, and potential license suspension for habitual violators. Law enforcement officers routinely verify registration status during traffic stops and patrol activities.

Commercial vehicles and specialty registrations may follow alternative expiration schedules based on business cycles, with antique vehicles potentially qualifying for extended registration periods under special programs designed for limited-use vehicles.