How do I obtain Duplicate Plates/Decals?

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• Disabled Veterans
  Before a person can receive a disabled veteran plate, he or she must be an owner of a motor vehicle and a resident veteran who is either 1)a recipient of a Veterans' Administration K award, or 2) a recipient of an automobile under Public Law 187, or 3) a recipient of a statutory benefit for loss of loss of use of one or more extremities, or 4) a recipient of a veteran's allotment for total disability which is a service connected injury.  In addition, the injury must have been incurred in active duty during a time of war or while participating in a military mission involving armed conflict.

1. The disabled veteran (DV) application must be completed using full name (no initials) and Social Security number. Obtain form by contacting the Division of Motor Vehicles at (605) 773-3311.
2. Noncommercial plates must be issued and the regular fee charged accordingly.  The DV plate fee of $10 is also collected.
3. The DV application and copy of the registration are to be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
4. DV plates will be issued from the division upon verification of DV status through the Veteran's Administration in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  If the applicant does not qualify for DV status, the $10 fee will be refunded.  If the applicant does qualify, the regular plate fee will be refunded.

• Prisoners of War
  Any resident of South Dakota who was a prisoner of war (POW) while serving in the United States Armed Forces is eligible for special motor vehicle license plates.

1. Obtain the POW application for the Division of Motor Vehicles.  Application must be completed using full name (no initials) and Social Security number.
2. Noncommercial plates must be issued and the regular fee charged accordingly.  The POW plate fee of $10 is also collected.
3. The POW application and copy of the registration are to be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
4. POW plates will be issued from the Division of Motor vehicles upon verification of POW status through the Veteran's Administration in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  If the applicant does not qualify for POW status, the $10 fee will be refunded.  If the applicant does qualify, the regular plate fee will be refunded.

• Purple Heart
  Any resident veteran owner of a motor vehicle who has received the Purple Heart medal may apply to the Secretary of Revenue for special motor vehicle license plates.

1. A qualifying applicant may receive no more than two sets of the distinctive plates.
2. The application must be completed using full name (no initials).
3. The applicant must submit a copy of DD Form 214, discharge papers, verifying eligibility.
4. Noncommercial plates must be issued by the county treasurer and proof of such registration and payment of the regular noncommercial license fees submitted (copy of current registration).
5. There is no fee assessed for the special plates.
6. The application and copy of the registration are to be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
7. When licensing a vehicle with both a primary and secondary plate, the expiration dates must be the same.  If the dates are not the same, the plate with the lesser expiration will be registered up the the plate displaying the greater expiration.

• Pearl Harbor
  Any resident of South Dakota who was serving in the United States Armed Forces and survived the attack at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941, and who received an honorable discharge may apply to the Secretary of Revenue for special motor vehicle license plates.

1. The application must be completed using full name (no initials) and VA claim number.
2. The applicant is not exempt from the 3% excise tax due.
3. Noncommercial plates must be issued and the regular fee charged accordingly.  The Pearl Harbor plate fee of $10 is also collected.
4. The application and copy of the registration are to be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
5. Pearl Harbor plates will be issued from the Division of Motor vehicles.  If the applicant does not qualify for this status, the $10 fee will be refunded.  If the applicant does qualify, the regular plate fee will be refunded.
6. When licensing a vehicle with both a primary and secondary plate, the expiration dates must be the same.  If the dates are not the same, the plate with the lesser expiration will be registered up the the plate displaying the greater expiration.

• Congressional Medal of Honor
  Any resident veteran owner of a motor vehicle who has received the Congressional Medal of Honor may apply to the Secretary of Revenue for special license plates.

1. The application must be completed using full name (no initials).
2. The applicant is not exempt from the 3% excise tax due.
3. Noncommercial plates must be issued kept on or in the motor vehicle, but no fee is charged for the plates.  In addition, no fee is charged for the special plates.
4. The application and copy of the registration are to be submitted to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
5. A maximum of two sets of plates may be issued.

• Firefighter
  A resident of this state who is a firefighter may apply for special plates designating such person as a firefighter.  The plates are in addition to the regular number plates issued for the motor vehicle.  The special plates are to be displayed on the vehicle in the regular manner, with the regular number plates kept on or in the motor vehicle.

1. Applicant must complete and submit an application for Special License Plates (MV-SL1) to the Department of Revenue.
2. The initial fee and renewal fee for firefighter plates is $10.
3. If the firefighter is discharged, separated or retires, the distinctive plates are to be surrendered to the division.
4. The plates are transferable to another vehicle upon notification to the division.

Historical Vehicles
A vehicle or motorcycle over 30 years old that is used only for special occasions such as display, exhibitions, parades, etc., and not for general transportation, although the vehicle/motorcycle may be driven to and from service stations for fuel and repairs, may be licensed as a historical vehicle/motorcycle.

Historical plates are used in-lieu-of regular plates (if regular plates are later desired, the historical plates must be surrendered).  The historical plates can be purchased for a one-time, $10 registration directly from the Department of Revenue.

1. Applicant must complete and submit an Application for Special License Plates (MV-SL1).
2. The original title (South Dakota or out-of-state) must be surrendered at the county treasurer's office or sent with the bill of sale and application for title (MV-608) to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
3. If all efforts have been made to locate the title and no records can be found, an affidavit must be submitted indicating efforts made in locating the previous owner to obtain the title.
4. It will be at the discretion of the Division of Motor Vehicles to determine if a title will be issued based upon the applicant's documentation which is submitted.
5. The South Dakota driver's license number or Social Security number of each owner must be given.

Personalized License Plates

1. A vehicle registered and licensed in South Dakota may be equipped with personalized plates upon completion of an application for personalized plates (MV-239) and a $25 fee.
2. Personalized plates can consist of no more than seven letters, nor less than two.   Spaces or stars should be indicated on the application if desired.
3. The applicant must provide a photostatic copy of his/her current license plate registration.
4. When licensing a vehicle with both primary and secondary plates, the expiration dates must be the same.  If the dates are not the same, the plate with the lesser expiration will be registered up to the plate displaying the greater expiration.
5. The owner shall display the special plates on the vehicle.  The regular plates assigned to the vehicle shall be kept on or in the vehicle.
6. Personalized license plates shall be validated each year on a staggered registration basis with distinctive stickers and are valid only for the registration year for which such stickers are issued.
7. The annual fee for a personalized license plate is $25.
8. The special personalized plates and current year stickers are not in-lieu-of regular plates or the applicable license fees.
9. A written request for the transfer of personalized plates must be made to the Division of Motor Vehicles accompanied by a copy of the currently validated registration and information concerning what vehicle the plate will be transferred to.  A new registration will be issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles. 

• Personalized Motorcycle Plates

1. An owner of a motorcycle who is a resident of this state may apply for personalized motorcycle license plates.  The plates are in addition to the regular license plates issued for the motorcycle.  Personalized plates may contain a maximum of 6 letters and a minimum of two letters.
2. The annual fee for a personalized motorcycle license plate is $20.
3. Initial application is made to the division and renewal is made through the applicant's county treasurer's office.
4. The plates are to be superimposed directly over the regular plates.
5. When licensing a vehicle with both primary and secondary plates, the expiration dates must be the same.  If the dates are not the same, the plate with the lesser expiration will be registered up to the plate displaying the greater expiration.

• Indian Tribal License Plates

1. Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state may obtain Indian tribal license plates.  The plates are in addition to the regular number plates issued for the motor vehicle.  The special plates are to be displayed on the vehicle in the regular manner, with the regular number plates kept on or in the motor vehicle.
2. The initial fee for the Indian tribal plates is $10.  There is no fee assessed for renewal of the plates.
3. Applicant must complete and submit an Application for Special License Plates (MV-SL1) to the Department of Revenue.
   • Initial applications are processed through the division and renewals are processed through the applicant's county treasurer.
4. The plates are transferable to another vehicle upon notification to the division.
5. When licensing a vehicle with both primary and secondary plates, the expiration dates must be the same.  If the dates are not the same, the plate with the lesser expiration will be registered up to the plate displaying the greater expiration.

• Duplicate Plates/Decals

1. The fee for duplicate license plates, except for those listed below, or the replacement of lost or damaged decals is $10.  (If only one plate is missing, the other plate must be returned to the county.)
2. The fee for duplicate personalized plates of tabs is $10 and must be applied for directly to the Department of Revenue by letter, stating reason for duplicate.
3. The fee for duplicate motorcycle, trailer, and snowmobile license plates is $2.
4. An affidavit (DMV-102) setting forth the facts making the duplicate necessary must be completed.
5. The affidavit for duplicate license plate/validation sticker, the applicable fee, the corrected registration with both decal numbers and/or license plates noted, and the remains of the original set of decals (if available) must all be forwarded to the Department of Revenue.
6. Send new copy of registration, regardless if duplicate license plates or decals are purchased and cross-reference plate and/or decal being replaced.
7. If plates are lost or stolen, the loss or theft must be reported to a law enforcement agency and attested to on the duplicate license plate validation sticker application (DOR:D.MV:102). A copy of this form is retained by the county treasurer and the division.

• Permanently Disabled Persons

1. Permanently disabled persons may obtain paraplegic license plates directly from the Department of Revenue
   • Applicant must first comply with all laws of this state in obtaining standard license plates before applying for special plates.
   • Applicant must complete an Application for Disabled Person License Plates, accompanied by a copy of current vehicle registration.
   • It is a Class 1 misdemeanor to submit a false or fraudulent application.
   • Applicant must submit a physician's certificate on a form approved by the Secretary of Revenue which states that he is substantially disabled by a physical disability and that it is impossible or causes substantial hardship for him to walk.
   • There is no additional charge for paraplegic license plates.
2. Plates are limited to disabled persons who own the vehicles and who operate or direct the operation of the vehicles.
   • Effective July 1, 1995, skilled nursing facilities, licensed pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 34-12 (regulation of hospitals and related institutions), who transport disabled persons, are eligible for disabled license plates.
     • Applicant must comply with procedures for obtaining special plates as set out herein.   However, a physician's certificate on the application form is not required.
3. When licensing a vehicle with both a primary and secondary plate, the expiration dates must be the same.  If the dates are not the same, the plate with the lesser expiration will be registered up to the plate displaying the greater expiration.
4. Renewal of paraplegic plates.
   • Renewal is made through the county treasurer.
   • No fee is charged.
   • When plates are being transferred from one vehicle to another, it will be necessary to notify the county treasurer in which the vehicle is registered.  The county treasurer shall also notify the DOR who shall make the necessary changes in the registration file.