How do I...?   Registration
Return to State Index Page  or  Motor Vehicle Page

How do I register . . . . ?
Noncommercial motor vehicle
Noncommercial gross weight vehicle
Off-Road Vehicles
Four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle
Trailer
Motorcycle
Snowmobile
Manufactured home
Boats
Recreational Vehicle
Mopeds
Motorhome or Converted House Car/Bus
 

Noncommercial Motor Vehicle

  1. An application for South Dakota title and registration must be completed and filed in the county of the applicant's residence.
  2. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  3. License fees are computed according to the weight schedules for noncommercial vehicles.
    • If a noncommercial motor vehicle is an automobile, pickup or van with a manufacturer's shipping weight, including manufacturer's accessories, of 10,000 pounds or less, the license fees for the vehicle shall be based on the regular noncommercial license fee schedule.   However, if the noncommercial motor vehicle is a pickup that weighs more than 6,000 pounds, the owner has the option of paying the license fees under the noncommercial license fee schedule or the noncommercial declared gross weight fee schedule.
    • View Noncommercial License Fee Schedule including special plate fees.

Return to Top

Noncommercial gross weight vehicle

  1. An application for South Dakota title and registration must be completed and filed in the county of the applicant's residence.
  2. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  3. License fees are computed according to the weight schedule for noncommercial gross weight vehicles.
  4. License fees on a noncommercial motor vehicle, which is not an automobile, pickup, or van with a manufacturer's shipping weight of 10,000 pounds or less, including accessories, shall be determined by the gross weight of the motor vehicle.  However, if the noncommercial motor vehicle is a pickup that weighs more than 6,000 pounds, the owner has the option of paying the license fees under the noncommercial license fee schedule or the noncommercial declared gross weight fee schedule. View Noncommercial Gross Weight License Fee Schedule.

Off-Road Vehicles

"Off-road vehicle," any self-propelled, two or more wheeled vehicle designed primarily to be operated on land other than a highway and includes, but is not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies and any vehicle whose manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO) or manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO) states that the vehicle is not for highway use. 

Off-road vehicles may not be registered and licensed for use upon the highways, but MUST be titled.  See how to title your off-road vehicle. 

Return to Top

Four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle

Any all-terrain vehicle with four or more wheels with a combustion engine having a piston or rotor displacement of two hundred cubic centimeters or more may be licensed as a motorcycle to be used on a public highway.  The licensed four-wheel, all-terrain vehicle may not be operated on the interstate highway.

  1. An application for South Dakota title and registration must be completed and filed in the county of the applicant's residence.
  2. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  3. A manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO) or valid ownership document must be attached.
  4. ATV affidavit and proof of sales tax paid must be submitted at time of application and licensing.

Trailer

  1. Owners of trailers utilized with automobiles, pickups and vans shall purchase a regular annual trailer plate.  There is no restriction on the weight carried by trailers licensed in this manner.
    • Vehicles licensed for gross weight (commercial and noncommercial) may tow any regularly licensed trailer as long as the weight of the trailer plus its load is included in the gross weight license of the towing vehicle.
    • On trailers exempt from licensing (see Trailers Exempt from Licensing) the weight of the trailer and the load being hauled is not included in determining the declared gross weight of a vehicle.
  2. For each trailer, an applicant must complete the application for South Dakota title and registration.
  3. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  4. A trailer being pulled by a noncommercial vehicle licensed under the declared gross weight schedule or a commercial licensed vehicle may display a trailer identification plate.
    • This will be the only license identification required on the trailer.  The $10 fee is a one-time only fee, as long as the trailer is owned by the applicant.
    • No identification plate may be displayed on a recreational vehicle.
    • In the event the trailer identification plate is lost, a new plate is issued.  The applicant must complete a duplicate plate affidavit and submit a $10 fee to the county treasurer.
    • View Noncommercial Trailer License Fee Schedule.

Return to Top

Motorcycles

A motorcycle includes motorcycles, motorbikes, mopeds, bicycles with a motor attached and all motor operated vehicles of the bicycle or tricycle type whether the motive power be a part thereof or attached thereto, and having a saddle or seat with the driver sitting astride or upon it, or a platform on which the driver stands.   Excludes tractors.

  1. Obtain an application for South Dakota title and registration.
    • Obtain from county treasurer in the county of your residence.
  2. Complete the application.  Application must be signed by the record owner or by an authorized agent for the record owner.
  3. A purchase order, sales contract or bill of sale will be required if the Dealer Price Certification is not completed on the application.
  4. Attach to the application the manufacturer's statement of origin or title properly transferred to the applicant.
  5. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  6. Payment of the correct amount of 3% excise tax, a title fee, and any license fees as may be required, must be collected.

Snowmobiles

All snowmobiles used on public and private lands and any frozen public waters within territorial limits of South Dakota shall be licensed.

  1. Obtain an application for South Dakota title and registration.
    • Obtain from county treasurer in the county of your residence.
  2. Complete the application.  Application must be signed by the record owner or by an authorized agent for the record owner.
  3. A purchase order, sales contract or bill of sale will be required if the Dealer Price Certification is not completed on the application.
  4. Attach to the application the manufacturer's statement of origin or title properly transferred to the applicant.
  5. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  6. The county treasurer shall collect on each snowmobile on which no excise, sales, or similar tax have been paid by the applicant, the 3% excise tax based on the purchase price, minus any trade-in allowance granted.  A bill of sale substantiating the price must be attached on sales between individuals.  If a bill of sale cannot be furnished, a statement indicating such should be attached or the area indicating such on the MV-608 must be checked.  A reasonable value for the snowmobile must then be established.  On sales involving a dealer, the dealer price certification on the application for title (MV-608) must be completed by the selling dealer.
  7. Payment of the correct amount of 3% excise tax, a title fee, and any license fees as may be required, must be collected.

License fees for snowmobiles shall be $20 per snowmobile for a two-year period (applicant does not have an option of licensing for one year).  The license is in effect for a period beginning on July 1, and shall expire on June 30, two years thereafter.  Payment of the snowmobile license fee shall be made between July 1 and June 30 of the year of issuance and prior to the operation of, or permitting the operation of, any snowmobile within this state.

Return to Top

Manufactured home (Mobile Homes)

A mobile home is a movable or portable unit, designed and constructed to be towed on its own and designed to be connected for year-round occupancy. Term mobile home shall include units designed to be used for residential, commercial, educational, or industrial purposes.  This excludes recreational vehicles which are defined as vehicular portable structures built on a chassis designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses.  Also excluded is a sectional home that is defined as any home pre-built in whole or in part for the purpose of permanent placement on a foundation.  A sectional home is not subject to vehicle licensing.

  1. An application for South Dakota title and registration must be completed and filed in the county of the applicant's address.
    • Application must be signed by the record owner(s) or by an authorized agency for the record owner(s).  If the application is signed by an authorized agent, a power of attorney document must be attached to verify appointment.
    • The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
    • Applicant must supply a bill of sale.
  2. Upon application for the initial licensing of a mobile home in South Dakota, the county treasurer shall collect the 3% initial registration fee based on the purchase price.
  3. A mobile home owned by a nonresident coming into this state from another state, a mobile home purchased and owned by a member of the armed forces while on duty in the U.S. and a mobile home purchased in another state by a resident other than a licensed dealer are exempt from the 3% initial registration fee to the extent of a similar and equal amount of registration tax, sales, use or state excise tax has been paid in another state by current applicant.

Return to Top

Boats

  1. Ownership documents required.
    • MSO an dealer invoice or purchase agreement (if the dealer price certification has not been completed on the application on new boats).
    • Title (or other ownership document if title not previously issued) and bill of sale (boat dealer allowed to certify purchase price on application).
  2. Application for boat title (MV-607) must be completed by applicant.
  3. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  4. Payment of applicable fees.
  5. Boat registration must be kept in the boat.
  6. Registration stickers must be mounted on both sides of the boat.
  7. See Fee Schedule.

Recreational Vehicle

A recreational vehicle is a vehicular portable structure built on a chassis designed to be used as a temporary dwelling for travel, recreational and vacation uses, permanently identified as "travel trailer" by the manufacturer of the trailer.   A trailer identification plate may not be used on a recreational vehicle.

  1. License fees on a travel trailer shall be determined under the noncommercial trailer fee schedule.
  2. Obtain an application for South Dakota title and registration.
    • Obtain from county treasurer in the county of your residence.
  3. Complete the application.  Application must be signed by the record owner or by an authorized agent for the record owner.
  4. A purchase order, sales contract or bill of sale will be required if the Dealer Price Certification is not completed on the application.
  5. Attach to the application the manufacturer's statement of origin or title properly transferred to the applicant.
  6. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  7. Payment of the correct amount of 3% excise tax, a title fee, and any license fees as may be required, must be collected.

Return to Top

Mopeds

A moped is defined as a motor driven cycle equipped with two or three wheels.  If a combustion engine is used, the maximum piston or rotor displacement shall be fifty cubic centimeters, regardless of the number of chambers in such power source.  The power source shall be equipped with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically only, not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged.

  1. An application for South Dakota title and registration must be completed and filed in the county of the applicant's residence.  Application must be signed by the record owner(s) or by an authorized agency for the record owner(s).  If the application is signed by an authorized agent, a power of attorney document must be attached to verify appointment.
  2. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  3. A manufacturer's statement of origin or valid ownership document must be attached.
  4. A title fee must be collected.
  5. Sales tax must be collected by the selling dealer on mopeds and proof of sales tax paid must be furnished at the time of application.

Motorhome or Converted Housecar/Bus

A motorhome is a vehicle designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, built on or permanently attached to a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or on a chassis cab or van that is an integral part of the completed vehicle.

  1. License fees shall be determined by the manufacturer's shipping weight, including accessories, and shall be based on the noncommercial motor home schedule.
  2. Obtain an application for South Dakota title and registration.
    • Obtain from county treasurer in the county of your residence.
  3. Complete the application.  Application must be signed by the record owner or by an authorized agent for the record owner.
  4. A purchase order, sales contract or bill of sale will be required if the Dealer Price Certification is not completed on the application.
  5. Attach to the application the manufacturer's statement of origin or title properly transferred to the applicant.
  6. The South Dakota driver's license or Social Security number of each purchaser must be given.
  7. Payment of the correct amount of 3% excise tax, a title fee, and any license fees as may be required, must be collected.
  8. Reciprocity granted for payment of an equal, like or similar tax paid to another state by the applicant.
  9. View Noncommercial Motorhome License Fee Schedule.

Return to Top
 [businesstax/newfooter.htm]