Registering and titling a vehicle in South Dakota: new residents, purchases and renewals

How vehicle titles, registration and plates work in South Dakota: the county treasurer's role, the 45-day rule after a purchase, the 90-day window for new residents, renewal options and what happens to your plates.

Guide · South Dakota · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In South Dakota, vehicle titles, registration and license plates are the responsibility of the Motor Vehicle Division of the South Dakota Department of Revenue (DOR). You do the paperwork, and pay the fees, at your local county treasurer's office; DOR publishes a contact list of every county treasurer. Driver licenses are a separate agency, the Department of Public Safety (see the South Dakota driver license guide).

The title and registration application

The main form is the Motor Vehicle and Boat Title & Registration Application (Form 1001). DOR says it must be signed by the record owner or owners, or by an authorized agent. If an agent signs, a Power of Attorney (Form 1023) must be attached. Other DOR forms you may need include the Bill of Sale (Form 1025), the Odometer Disclosure (Form 1021) and the Duplicate Title Application (Form 1002).

The DOR fee table lists:

• Motor vehicle excise tax: 4% of the purchase price.
• Title fee: $10.
• Lien notation fee: $10, if you have a loan on the vehicle.
• Plate mailing fee: $12, and a registration mailing fee of $2.50.
• Registration (license) fees, which depend on the vehicle's weight and year and its use. DOR publishes fee schedules as PDFs, and some counties add a wheel tax.
• Electric vehicles: an annual $100 fee at registration for each electric vehicle charged from an external source.

If you title a vehicle in South Dakota and do not have a South Dakota driver license or ID card, or do not have a physical South Dakota address (P.O. boxes and mail-forwarding addresses do not count), DOR adds a $100 administrative (non-resident) fee to the title application. It does not apply to title corrections or duplicate titles.

Buying a vehicle

DOR says you must apply for title and registration within 45 days of the purchase date, and there is no extension. All fees are counted from the purchase date, no matter when you apply. After 45 days, interest is charged on the excise tax, and after 60 days a one-time penalty is added. There is also a late title fee of $1 per week past the 45-day grace period, up to $50.

From a private seller. The seller should give you the signed title and a Bill of Sale. A private seller must also give you a free seller's permit, which lets you drive the vehicle for 45 days while you apply for title. The seller can print it through the online portal or get it at their county treasurer's office. If you need more time, the buyer can get a 5–15 day temporary permit from a county treasurer for $1 per day, with a $5 minimum.

From a dealer. DOR publishes an Active Motor Vehicle Dealer List so you can check whether a seller is a licensed dealer. The 45-day rule applies to every acquired vehicle.

Within the family. A transfer without payment between spouses, between a parent and child, or between siblings is exempt from the excise tax. A $10 title transfer fee still applies.

If you have a loan, South Dakota keeps the title in electronic form while the lien is noted. The paper title is printed and mailed once the lienholder releases it.

Moving to South Dakota with a vehicle

DOR says new residents have 90 days from the date of arrival to title and license their vehicles in South Dakota. If you already titled and licensed the vehicle in another state, South Dakota grants reciprocity on the tax. You pay no additional tax if your old state's rate was higher than South Dakota's. If your old state had no tax or a lower rate, you pay the difference.

You apply at your county treasurer's office, using Form 1001; ask the office which documents to bring, as DOR's pages do not give a separate new-resident checklist. For the driver license side of the move, see the South Dakota driver license guide.

Renewing your registration

Registration is renewed every year. Your renewal month depends on the first letter of your last name. DOR's example: a last name starting with "J" renews in March. DOR lists four ways to renew:

• Online, through the Vehicle Registration & Plates portal. You need a valid South Dakota driver license or ID card and your date of birth. You pay by electronic check or by Discover, MasterCard or Visa, plus a mailing fee and a processing fee.
• DMV Now kiosks, which print your renewal tags on the spot. You scan the bar code on your South Dakota license or ID card. DOR lists kiosks in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Pierre, Aberdeen, Mitchell, Watertown and Yankton, and owners from any county can use them. Payment is by Discover, MasterCard or Visa, with a 2.5% processing fee.
• By mail, sending the renewal postcard and payment to your county treasurer. DOR accepts in-state checks, cashier's checks or money orders by mail. Add the postage fee ($12 for plates, $2.50 for decals) and write your license or ID number on the postcard. DOR says to allow two weeks.
• In person, at your county treasurer's office, with your renewal notice and a photo ID. Ask the office which payment methods it accepts.

Address changes must be made at your county treasurer's office or online before you renew. DOR warns that law enforcement may ticket you for driving on expired plates.

License plates

DOR says South Dakota is a "plate with owner" state: the plates stay with you, not with the vehicle. When you buy a new vehicle, take your old plates to the county treasurer's office to transfer them. To replace a lost or damaged plate or tag, complete the Affidavit for Duplicate License Plate/Validation Sticker at your county treasurer's office.

Besides standard plates, DOR offers personalized, special interest, military, historical and other specialty plates. While you wait for special plates, a plate ordered permit lets you drive for 30 days or until the plates arrive, whichever comes first.

Other help

DOR's Motor Vehicle Division in Pierre answers questions at (605) 773-3541. For general visit planning, see the South Dakota DMV visit guide. For offices near you, see the South Dakota office list.