South Dakota Vehicle Registration

A South Dakota vehicle registration is a document that links all Mount Rushmore State residents to their form of transportation, such as a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or boat.

Registering a vehicle in South Dakota must be done in person at a DMV office of the Department of Revenue. South Dakota residents will need various documentation, including proof of ownership. The fees for registration are based on vehicle type, age, and weight. Read below for more information about registering a car in South Dakota.

Registering a Vehicle in South Dakota

There are different steps that need to be completed to register a vehicle in South Dakota.

New to South Dakota?

Individuals have 90 days from the day they move to the state to title and register their vehicle with the South Dakota Motor Vehicle Division (DMV).

To register a vehicle, residents of SD need:

The Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration (Form MV-608).

A Salvage, Recovered Theft, and Uniform Damage Disclosure Statement (Form MV-610) IF the vehicle is:

Under 7 years old.

AND

Under 16,000 lbs. in gross weight.
The current title certificate.
Payment for fees and taxes, unless individuals have paid at least 4% tax to another state.

Residents will receive credit for taxes under 4% they paid to another state. Submit the documents in person at a local South Dakota County treasurer’s office.

How to Register a Car in South Dakota

South Dakota residents who buy a vehicle from a dealer or in a private sale must register their vehicle with the South Dakota DMV within 30 days of the sale date.

Usually, the vehicle dealer will take care of registration and titling paperwork. However, it is important to know what paperwork is required.

SD residents who buy a vehicle privately need to submit registration and title documents themselves.

To register and title a vehicle, residents of SD need:

The Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration (Form MV-608).

Proof of ownership:

A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO).
A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO).

The transferred certificate of title.
A Salvage, Recovered Theft, and Uniform Damage Disclosure Statement (Form MV-610) IF the vehicle:
Is under 7 years old.

AND

Weighs less than 16,000 lbs. in gross weight.
Odometer disclosure. This is usually included in the transferred title.
A Bill of Sale IF residents bought the vehicle in private sale.
Payment for title and registration fees.

Submit the documents in person at a South Dakota County treasurer’s office.

NOTE: SD residents who buy a vehicle outside of South Dakota will follow the same registration process as new SD residents.

Motorcycle Registrations

South Dakota residents must also register motorcycles and similar vehicles, including mopeds and motorbikes, with the South Dakota DMV. Learn more about registration requirements for motorcycles, mopeds, and other motorized cycles on our Motorcycle Registrations page.

Other Vehicle Registrations

Most motorized vehicles must be registered in South Dakota, including:

Snowmobiles.
Trailers.
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
Motor homes.

Registration requirements may differ. See complete details on our “Vehicle Registrations” section.

License Plates

Once SD residents register their vehicle in South Dakota, they’ll receive a standard South Dakota license plate.

The SD DOR also offers several types of special license plates. Applying for special plates usually requires additional forms and fees.

Fees to Register a Car in SD

Registration fees in South Dakota are based on the type, age, and weight of the vehicle. Example fees include:

Non-commercial vehicles weighing up to 4 tons:

9 years old: $75.60.
10 years old or older: $50.40.

Motorcycles under 350 CC:

0 through 9 years old: $18.
10 years old and older: $12.60.

The SD DMV can provide a fee table for non-commercial vehicles and a fee table for motorcycles with fees for each weight and age category.

Other fees include:

Title fee: $10.
Solid waste fee: $1.
Highway patrol fee: $1.
Lien notation fee IF your vehicle is financed: $10.
Mailing fee IF tags is mailed to you: $5.

SD residents also pay:

4% excise tax (based on the price you paid) UNLESS you’ve paid tax to another state.
Any applicable SD local or county taxes.

Motorcycle Registration in South Dakota

All South Dakota residents must register their motorcycles with the Motor Vehicle Division (DMV) before riding Mount Rushmore State’s roadways.

Whether SD residents have just moved to SD or are a long-time resident, this guide will teach residents of this state all they need to know about registering their bike.

Residents New to South Dakota

After moving to South Dakota, residents have 90 days after arrival to register their bike with the DMV.

Residents of this state need to present the following items at their local South Dakota County treasurer’s office:

The motorcycle’s current out-of-state title OR manufacturer’s statement of origin (MSO). If there is a lien on the motorcycle, the lienholder’s information may be needed.
A completed Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration (Form MV-608).
Proof of SD motorcycle insurance.
Payment for all applicable motorcycle registration fees (see below).

Registering an SD Motorcycle

The process for registering a motorcycle with the SD Motor Vehicle Division varies depending on whether it was purchased the motorcycle from a dealership OR a private seller.

Motorcycles Purchased at Dealerships

When SD residents purchase a new or used motorcycle at South Dakota a dealership, the dealer usually handles the registration. For a breakdown of what SD residents will pay, see our section on motorcycle registration fees and taxes.

Before leaving the dealership, double-check to make sure there isn’t any additional paperwork or documentation needed to register the bike. Some dealers may provide individuals with a temporary registration until they receive their official tags and plates in the mail.

Motorcycles Purchased from Private Sellers

After buying a motorcycle from a private seller, residents of SD need to complete the process for registration themselves.

South Dakota residents have 45 days from the purchase date to register their bike by heading to your local South Dakota DMV office with the following:

A completed an Application for Motor Vehicle Title & Registration (Form MV-608).
The motorcycle’s title.
Must be signed by both the buyer and seller.
South Dakota residents who don’t have a title, a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin will suffice.
A completed Damage Disclosure Statement (Form MV-610).
A valid South Dakota motorcycle license.

Any of the following proof of purchase documents:

Purchase order.
Bill of sale (Form MV-016).
Sales contract.
Proof of South Dakota motorcycle insurance.
The appropriate motorcycle registration fees.

The private seller may provide SD residents with a seller’s permit, allowing them to ride their motorcycle while they wait for their permanent registration to arrive in the mail. Seller’s permits are valid for 45 days and can be printed by the seller through the online customer portal.

Buyers may also purchase a permit from the county treasurer’s office, which is good for either 5 days or 15 days depending on which option the resident chooses. Prices vary depending on the county.

SD Motorcycle Registration Taxes & Fees

Residents of this state may be required to pay the following fees and taxes when registering their motorcycle with the South Dakota Motor Vehicle Division:

Motorcycle registration (12 months)—Based on the engine size and age of your bike.

Motorcycles less than 350 CC:

0 through 9 years old: $18.
10 years old or more: $12.60.

Motorcycles 350 CC to 1,000 CC:

0 through 9 years old: $21.
10 years old or more: $14.70.

Motorcycles greater than 1,000 CC:

0 through 9 years old: $24.
10 years old or more: $16.80.

Late registration—For applications submitted more than:

After 45 days following the motorcycle’s purchase date:
1% of the vehicle excise tax OR $5 (whichever is greater) for the first 1 month.
1% of the vehicle excise tax for each 1 month thereafter.

After 60 days following the motorcycle’s purchase date:

10% of the vehicle excise tax OR $10 (whichever’s greater) in addition to the late penalties above.
Title fee: $10.
Solid waste fee: $1.
Highway patrol fee: $1.
Lien notation fee IF your vehicle is financed: $10.
Mailing fee IF tags are mailed to the resident: $5.

Excise tax*: Up to 4% of the motorcycle’s retail value listed by the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA). SD residents who still have questions about the fees associated with registering their motorcycle, give the SD DMV a call at (605) 773-3541.

*Only required if residents haven’t paid at least 4% in excise tax on the motorcycle in another state.

South Dakota Boat Registration & Licenses

South Dakota boating regulations are enforced by the SD Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), and all registration and title applications are submitted through the local county treasurer.

This is the correct place for individuals who are looking for information about titling and registering a vessel as well as the requirements to legally operate watercraft on The Mount Rushmore State’s waters.

NOTE: SD residents must register and title their boat within 45 days of acquiring it.

Boats to Title & Register in SD

The South Dakota GFP requires the following boats to have titles:

Vessels longer than 12 feet.
All motorboats acquired on or after July 1, 1993.

Vessels exempt from the Game, Fish and Parks’ titling requirement include:

Canoes.
Kayaks.
Inflatable boats.
Sailboards.
Seaplanes.

Watercraft required to be registered in SD are as follows:

All motorized watercraft.
Non-motorized vessels more than:
12 feet long—Require validation stickers BUT numbering is optional.
18 feet long—Require stickers AND numbering.

The following types of boats are exceptions to South Dakota’s boat registration requirements:

Watercraft documented by the U.S. Coast Guard using SD waters for under 60 consecutive days in 1 year.
Non-motorized boats measuring 12 feet or less.
Any boat registered in another state, as long as it isn’t in South Dakota for more than 60 consecutive days.

SD residents who are still not sure about whether they’ll need to title and/or register their boat can call the SD Game, Fish and Parks at (605) 223-7660 for clarification.

Register & Title a Vessel in SD

To register and/or title a boat with South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, visit the local county treasurer’s office with:

A completed Boat Title and Registration Application (Form MV-607).

A proof of ownership, such as:

Manufacturer’s statement of origin.
Vessel title.
Bill of sale.
Dealer invoice.
Purchase agreement.
A valid South Dakota driver’s license OR Social Security card.
Payment for the necessary title/registration fees and taxes.

South Dakota boat registrations are valid for 1 year.

South Dakota Title & Registration Fees

The fees to title and register a boat with SD Game, Fish and Parks are as follows:

Initial and renewed boat registrations for:

Non-motorized vessels over 12 ft and boats powered by electric motors: $15.
Motorized boats less than 19 ft: $25.
Motorized boats 19 ft or more: $45.
Vessel certificate of title: $10.
Per lien added to the title: $10.
Replacement:
Boat title: $10.
Registration card: $2.
Vessel decals: $2.
Excise tax: 3% of the sale price.

SD Boat Renewals & Replacements

SD boat registrations are valid for 1 year. South Dakota GFP will send a renewal notice before the expiration date.

To renew the vessel registration, return the completed renewal notice and the appropriate renewal fees to the local county treasurer’s office either in person or by mail.

Replace Vessel Title & Registration

If the SD vessel title or registration is lost or destroyed, residents of this state can request replacements by submitting the applicable items below at a local county treasurer’s office:

A completed:

Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Title (Form MV-010) for a duplicate boat title.
This application MUST be notarized by a notary public OR South Dakota DMV agent.
Affidavit for Duplicate License Plate/Validation Sticker (Form MV-102).
The applicable fees for replacement vessel title/registration.

SD Boater Requirements

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks enforces the following age restrictions when it comes to operating watercraft on state waters.

If individuals are younger than:

12 years old, they cannot operate motorized vessels with more than 6 HP without the supervision of an adult who’s at least 18 years old.
14 years old, they cannot use personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis) without an on-board adult who’s at least 18 years old.

Even though South Dakota residents aren’t required to complete a boater safety course, it’s still a good idea to enroll in one. Not only will residents become a better boater, but they could also earn discounts on boat insurance.

For more information on available boating education courses and safety tips, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website.

Accepted Forms of Payment

Accepted forms of payment at the South Dakota DMV include:

Check
Cashier’s check
Credit card
Debit card
Discover
MasterCard
VISA

Residents of South Dakota need to make sure they have the proper form of payment before visiting a local South Dakota DMV to avoid late fees and other applicable penalties.