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Residents of South Dakota should register their vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are DMV offices in each county.
Options to apply for replacements or specialty plates are available by mail or online.
If you are interested in registering a personalized license plate in South Dakota, you can look up available plate numbers online.
Sample South Dakota License Plate
License Plates in South Dakota
All vehicles owned by South Dakota residents must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Motor vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and vans, are required to have license plates attached to both the front and rear of the vehicle. Motorcycles and trailers only require plates attached to the rear only.
Registered vehicles must have valid decals on their rear license plates at all times.
Applying for License Plates in South Dakota
Vehicle owners can go to their local DMV office in person to apply for license plates in South Dakota.
The following will be required when registering a vehicle:
Proof of insurance for the vehicle
Valid ID (e.g., South Dakota driver’s license)
Emissions test certification
Vehicle titling documentation
Completed application forms
Payment for all fees (including registration fees, taxes, services fees, etc.)
Vehicle owners applying for other types of license plates (specialty plates or personalized plates) may be required to submit additional documentation and payment for fees.
Types of License Plates in South Dakota
The DMV in South Dakota offers the following types of license plates:
Standard License Plates: Issued to anyone registering a vehicle.
Specialty License Plates: Require application, additional fees, and occasionally additional documents to be eligible.
Disability License Plates & Placards: Issued to people with a disability. Require valid medical documentation.
Temporary License Plates: Issued to unregistered vehicles to allow them to be driven legally for 30 days until registration is completed.
Note: Most dealerships provide buyers with temporary plates to permit them to drive legally and complete their vehicle’s registration. Buying from a private dealer requires temporary license plates to be obtained in advance.
Specialty License Plates in South Dakota
South Dakota offers various specialty license plates with unique emblems and designs. The following are examples of specialty plates available:
Military Service License Plates: Recognize the services, awards, and experiences of those who served in the military.
Ex-Prisoner of War Plates
Purple Heart Honorary Plates
Bronze Star Honorary Plates
Collegiate License Plates: Supportive plates with emblems of local universities, colleges, sororities, and fraternities.
South Dakota State University Plates
Augustana College Plates
Special Causes License Plates: Provide support to local organizations, charities, and nonprofits.
South Dakota Historical Society Plates
YMCA Plates
Occupational License Plates: Special emblems for people employed at specific occupations.
EMT Plates
Firefighter Plates
Classic Car License Plates: Issued to vehicles 30+ years old.
Classic Car Plates
Vintage Vehicle Plates
All specialty plates have additional fees, which vary by type. These fees are required in addition to the regular registration fees for a vehicle.
Personalized License Plates in South Dakota
Most license plates issued by the DMV in South Dakota can be personalized with a unique plate number. The following guidelines must be followed in order for an application to be approved:
Up to 7 characters (i.e., numbers and letters)
Up to 6 characters for motorcycles
Should not use profanity, vulgar language, or inappropriate suggestions
Should be available for registration
The availability of license plate numbers can be found online. It is advisable to submit more than one possible plate number in case you first choice is rejected or unavailable.
Transfer & Surrender License Plates in South Dakota
License plates remain with a vehicle owner even if they sell the vehicle to someone else.
Unused license plates should be surrendered to a DMV office either in person or by mail.
Some of the reasons for surrendering license plates include:
Moving out of state
Canceling the vehicle’s insurance
Replacing damaged plates
Selling a vehicle and not buying a replacement vehicle
Replacement License Plates in South Dakota
If South Dakota license plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, they can be replaced by submitting an application to the DMV. A copy of the vehicle's registration card is required, along with payment for replacement fees.
Replacement applications can be done in person or by mail.
Renewing License Plates in South Dakota
License plates can be renewed by submitting the appropriate fees and documents by mail, in person, or online.
The fees vary depending on how renewal documents are submitted. Additional fees for postage may be required.
After renewal, vehicle owners will be provided with new decal stickers to be applied to their rear license plate.
Fees for South Dakota License Plates
Fees for registering vehicles in South Dakota vary by weight and year. The DMV will calculate applicable fees and taxes, which must be paid before license plates are issued.
Some of the fees for South Dakota license plates include:
Personalized License Plates
Order: $25
Renewal: $25
Specialized License Plates (e.g., Veterans Military License Plates)
Order: $10
Renewal: $10
License Plate Replacement:
Plate + Decals: $10
Contact a local DMV office for a complete list of fees for registering vehicles in South Dakota.
Paying for License Plates in South Dakota
It is possible to pay for a vehicle’s registration or renewal by the following methods:
Credit card
Check or money order
Cash
Checks or money orders should be made out to the DMV in South Dakota and should be used whenever payments are being sent by mail.
Cash should never be sent in the mail for registering, renewing, or replacing license plates.
Looking Up License Plates in South Dakota
It is possible to look up license plates in South Dakota to:
Check plate number availability
Review a vehicle's history
See reports and other submitted media for a vehicle
To look up vehicles in South Dakota or any state in the U.S., use the search bar above.
Car Ownership in South Dakota
South Dakota is number 2 on the list of states with the most motor vehicles. There are 2,067 motor vehicles per 1,000 licensed drivers in the state. This is second only to Montana where there are 2,492 motor vehicles per 1,000 drivers. Delaware has the fewest motor vehicles (547 per 1,000 drivers).
South Dakota is among the top 5 states with the most vehicles per household. Approximately 30% of households in SD have three or more vehicles. Wyoming tops the chart with 33.5% of households having three or more motor vehicles.
South Dakota ranks 6th on the list of states with the highest car ownership rates. Idaho and Wyoming have the highest and the District of Columbia and New York have the lowest rates of car ownership in the US.
95.10% of households in South Dakota have at least one vehicle. This is compared to 96.20% in Idaho and Wyoming and 64.30% in the District of Columbia, the states the highest and lowest car ownership rates, respectively.
South Dakota ranks 46th (tied with Wyoming) for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.08% of all registered vehicles in South Dakota are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii have the highest electric vehicles ownership rates (1.61% and 1.32% respectively). Mississippi and North Dakota have the lowest electric vehicles ownership rates (0.05%).
South Dakota is ranked 36 on the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada top the list (most expensive states) and Ohio is at the bottom of the list (least expensive).
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in South Dakota is $1,821. In New York (the most expensive state for full coverage car insurance), it is $4,769 per year on average. In Ohio (the least expensive state), full coverage car insurance costs $1,112 on average per year.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in South Dakota is $377. Connecticut is the most expensive state for car repairs and a check engine related repair here costs $418 on average.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does South Dakota have two license plates?
Yes, South Dakota has two license plates. All passenger vehicles are required to securely attach a license plate to the front and rear of the vehicle. The exception is motorcycles and trailers that only require rear license plates.
How do I get a license plate in South Dakota?
If you are a resident of South Dakota and have purchased a new vehicle, or if you have moved to South Dakota from another state, you can register your vehicle and obtain license plates from your local DMV office. The DMV offers online services including purchase of new license plates and renewal of vehicle registrations.
What is the cost of vehicle registration in South Dakota?
The cost of vehicle registration in South Dakota depends on the weight of the vehicle and the age of the vehicle. For example, the fee for non-commercial vehicles that are 0-9 years old and weight up to 2,000 pounds is $3 per month. Registration of vehicles weighing 2,001-4,000 pounds costs $6 per month, 4,001-6,000 pounds costs $9 per month, and more than 6,000 pounds costs $12 per month. The rates are lower for vehicles that are 10+ years old.
There are additional fees applicable, such as a wheel tax, solid waste fee ($1), highway patrol fee ($1), electric fee ($50), and plate mailing fee ($7.50).
Does South Dakota require vehicle inspection?
South Dakota does not require vehicle inspections for commercially manufactured passenger vehicles. However, rebuilt vehicle are subject to inspection. Inspections are done at three locations in South Dakota (Pierre, Sioux Falls, and Rapid City). License plates are issued to rebuilt vehicles only after an inspection is completed. The inspection fee is $25. The title application fee for rebuilt vehicles is $10.