South Dakota

Title Fee

$10.00

Who must title a vehicle in South Dakota?

All motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, ORVs/ATVs, boats over 12 feet, and all motorboats must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: Mopeds ≤50cc, gas golf carts (optional), farm vehicles, non-motorized boats ≤12 feet, canoes, kayaks, sailboards, seaplanes.

Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), via County Treasurer.
Application: Motor Vehicle/Boat Title & Registration Application (1001), $10.00 title fee + $10.00 per lien + $2.00 per transaction.
Mail-in applications may incur $25.00 county admin fee.

What documents are needed as proof of ownership?

New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title.
Non-title states: Registration or other ownership doc.
Foreign vehicles: Foreign docs, CBP 7501, EPA 3520-1, NHTSA HS-7, bond release if non-conforming, Carfax Canada lien search for Canadian vehicles.

How are special titles or brands handled?

Bonded Title: Vehicles 30+ years old with no record; bond = 1.5x value, 3-year duration.
Brands: Abandoned, Bonded, Junking Certificate, Manufacturer Buy Back, Parts Only, Rebuilt, Recovered Theft, Salvage Total Loss, Odometer Brands. Out-of-state brands carried forward.
Salvage: Required for insurer total loss on vehicles ≤10 years old; owner-retained salvage must also get salvage title.
Rebuilt: Inspection required ($25.00 fee), submit bills of sale/receipts, title branded "Rebuilt".
Junk: Junking certificate for parts-only/nonrepairable vehicles; no titles for out-of-state Junk/Nonrepairable/Scrap/Parts Only/Destruction brands.

How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?

Duplicate: Notarized application (1002), $10.00 fee + $2.00 per transaction.
Correction: Return erroneous title + Motor Vehicle Affidavit (1012); fee applies unless official error.

Other notes:

Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN inspection required for rebuilt vehicles; $25.00 assigned VIN fee for homemade trailers >3,000 lbs.

Are electronic signatures accepted?

What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax: 4.0% of purchase price; credit for trade-in and taxes paid to another state.Exemptions: Transfers between spouses/parents/children/siblings without consideration, tribal members, new residents from states with ≥4.0% tax.
Sales/Use Tax: 4.2% + municipal tax for non-excise-taxed vehicles/boats (3.0% for snowmobiles/boats requiring titling).
Property Tax: On manufactured homes (real property); counties may levy up to $0.50 per $1,000 value.
Wheel Tax: Up to $5.00 per wheel, max $60.00 per vehicle (county-imposed).
- Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Proof required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.

How are liens recorded and perfected?

Enter lienholder on title application; copy of security agreement for existing titles; $10.00 per lien + $2.00 per transaction.
Noted at county of record; no paper title while lien is active (exceptions).

How are liens released or assigned?

Lienholder must release within 20 days of payment; release electronically via ELT or submit title + Lien Release (1503).

How does repossession work in SD?

Lienholder may repossess if peaceful; must get repossession title before transfer; submit title, security agreement, application, and fee.
Out-of-state lienholders: Provide out-of-state title + affidavit if allowed, or get repo title in state of title.

Other notes:

Repair/storage liens: 30 days after certified notice, apply for title; vehicle must be sold at public auction.

Enforcement Agency:

South Dakota Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division445 E. Capitol Ave, Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3541 | motorv@state.sd.us
SD DOR MVD

Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:

Key Regulations:

Insurance required: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 + UM/UIM, $30,000 PIP; $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 for commercial vehicles.
Proof not required at registration but must be carried.
No safety/emissions inspection required.
Two plates for most vehicles; one for motorcycles, trailers, specialized. Plates transferable.
- Title records kept 10 years; registration records 10 years.